Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

J C Bamford Excavators Ltd; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Pension scheme

In-house doctor

Onsite gym

ULEV car scheme

Private medical health

Discount hub

Cycle to work

Outdoor development

Job summary

J C Bamford Excavators Ltd (JCB) invites applicants to join a Level 6 Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship in the UK. The programme combines hands-on engineering experience with a Bachelor’s Engineering degree earned through Warwick Manufacturing Group over 4–5 years, starting with a salary of £18,000.

The application and Assessment Centres process runs with online assessments and in-person centres, with cohorts beginning in September 2024 and progress checks through late 2026 to early

Qualifications

• A level Maths at grade B or above.
• GCSE Maths, English and a STEM subject at grade C/4 or above.
• Post-GCSE studies should include Engineering or relevant STEM subjects (Physics recommended).

Responsibilities

• Experience across mechanical engineering areas over 4–5 years to develop skills and determine specialisation.
• Designing features, upgrading parts, and developing ideas for current products.
• Testing designs to fail and identifying improvements before customer delivery.

Education

Mathematics A level (B or higher)

GCSE Maths and English (C/4 or above)

STEM subjects post-GCSE (Physics recommended)

Job description

The Opportunity -

Level 6 Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

Start Date -

September 2024, typically for 4-5 years

Starting Salary-

£18,000

Minimum Entry Criteria –

Entry to the programme of study is a minimum of 112 tariff points. In addition to the required entry tariff, you must also achieve an A level in Maths at grade B or above. You’ll also need to achieve GCSE grades in Maths, English and additional STEM subject at grades C, 4, or above. Disciplines studied post-GCSE should include any Engineering or relevant STEM subjects (Physics recommended).

Unfortuantly, JCB is unable to offer visa sponsorship or immigration support for its Emerging Talent schemes, either now or in the future. This includes individuals currently on sponsored visas.

What does the Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship scheme involve day to day?

Over 4-5 years, you’ll experience different areas in mechanical engineering. All helping you gain lots of amazing experience so you can figure out what you’re best at and what you love doing the most. Our Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprenticeship will equip you for a lifetime of boundary-pushing engineering work in a career that could take you to any of the four continents in which we operate.

Completing the programme at Warwick Manufacturing Group will earn you a Bachelor’s Engineering Degree but, not only that, you’ll also be in a role with a global innovator that the world is always watching. You don’t get that when you take the conventional university route.

What could I be doing?

Current product -

There are always updates required to suit changing legislation and customer demands, so part of the team focuses on keeping what the production line is building every day up to the latest and greatest specification it can be. This includes upgrading parts in assemblies, designing new features and developing existing ideas.

New product -

To stay ahead of the market trends, we must constantly look at what we offer to our customers; part of the team designs the next machines, which will be on sale in years to come. Working on elements of our five-year product plan includes reviewing challenges to create solutions, testing machines with new parts, and talking with customers to understand their needs.

Development and Endurance -

JCB machines are used in harsh environments and are relied upon to be robust. Part of the team focuses on testing our designs to fail to find what needs to be improved. Working this way lets us catch issues before they get to the customer, making our machines action ready.

What comes next?

1. We’ll be reviewing applications against the essential criteria then shortlisting and sending out links to our online assessments in November 2026 - January 2027 (we’d recommend you keep a look out for emails at this point as you’ll hear from us either way).

2. Once you’ve fully completed your online assessment, we’ll review it and provide you with an update within a few weeks. Please note, if you’ve not completed your online assessment then we won’t take your application further (we’ll send you a few reminders to make sure you don’t forget). If you've been progressed, you’ll be sent an invite to attend one of our in-person Assessment Centres.

3. In-person Assessment Centres will take place from January to April 2027 (we’ll send you all the details you need).

4. Following your Assessment Centre, whether you’ve been successful or not, our promise to you is that you’ll receive a call with feedback.

5. If successful, congratulations! We’ll now take you through the onboarding process, which will include a familiarisation day.

6. Welcome to JCB – our Emerging Talent cohorts ordinarily start in early September

What's in it for you?

When you join JCB, you'll enjoy a great package designed to reward, support and help you make the most of every day:

• 33 days' holiday (including most bank holidays)
• Market leading company pension scheme through Royal London
• Access to an in-house doctor, dentist, and an award winning Occupational Health team
• Onsite gym to help you stay active
• ULEV car scheme
• Bupa Private Medical Health Scheme
• Exclusive discounts through the JCB Rewards Hub
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Professional outdoor development programme

We also encourage our cohorts to network and get involved in our “NextGen” society.

A business that genuinely invests in its people

And that's just the start. At JCB, you'll be part of a world-class team where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing matters, and your career can thrive.

Need support during the recruitment process?

Our goal is simple: to give every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] and we'll be happy to support you.