Operations Apprentice (Level 3 – Advanced)

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £16,750

Pension scheme

270 hours holiday per year

Employee discounts portal

Assistance Programme

Occupational Health Services

Job summary

AWE is offering an Operations Apprenticeship in the Reading area. You will learn across Operations, Manufacturing, Science and Engineering while supporting production, and gaining hands-on experience in a highly regulated setting focused on national security.

Start date 1st September 2027. Earn a starting salary of £16,750 rising to £24,500 in Year 2 with additional increases. On-site work and security clearances apply.

Qualifications

• Practical interest in engineering/technology.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work well with others and communicate clearly.
• Understanding importance of health and safety in the workplace.
• Ability to follow instructions and ask when unsure.
• Motivation to learn new skills and adapt.
• Strong time management to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing and assembly work contributing to defence and security.
• Gain hands-on experience in production and process operations in a highly regulated environment.

Skills

Interest in how things work

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Clear communication

Health and safety awareness

Instruction following

Willingness to learn

Time management

Education

GCSEs incl Maths and English (4/C or above)

Job description

About AWE

We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.

Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.

We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter‑terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world‑class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.

Be extraordinary at AWE.

About the apprenticeship

As an Operations Apprentice at AWE, you’ll start building a career in a unique environment where you can learn how different parts of the business work together, including Operations, Manufacturing, Science and Engineering.

You’ll help support the manufacturing and assembly work that contributes to the defence and security of the United Kingdom. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in production and process operations, working in a highly regulated environment where safety is always the priority.

During your placements, you could get involved in a range of activities, such as:

• Spending time in different operational areas to understand the tasks people carry out, the processes they follow, and how work is completed to specific requirements.

• Carrying out practical laboratory analysis, supporting administrative activities, and learning how teams monitor physical and environmental health.

• Learning how experiments are carried out in our explosives operational areas, including the safety measures needed to do this work responsibly.

• Understanding how daily tasks, weekly plans, and safe systems of work are organised so that activities across the site are completed safely and correctly.

• Taking part in science‑related work, such as pulsed power trials, where energy is built up over time and then released very quickly.

This role can be physically demanding, so you’ll need to pass a medical assessment to check your general fitness and suitability to work with our unique materials. This includes having a BMI under 35, which is a legal requirement for wearing respiratory protection. Depending on your role, you may need to wear this protection while working.

Opportunities when you complete your apprenticeship

When you complete your apprenticeship, you’re likely to move into one of our operational business units. You may also be able to apply for roles in other areas of AWE, such as logistics, science or engineering.

Apprenticeship Standard

ST1407

About you

• A practical interest in how things work, especially in engineering and technology

• Good attention to detail

• The ability to work well with others

• Good communication skills, including listening, asking questions and sharing information clearly

• An understanding of why health and safety is important

• The ability to follow instructions carefully and ask if you are unsure

• Motivation to learn and develop new skills

• Good time management, including planning your work and completing tasks to deadlines

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy

• Looking closely at details and finding ways to improve how things are done

• Reading instructions or documents and understanding how they apply to real work

• Understanding step‑by‑step processes and why each stage matters

• Solving problems in a practical, hands‑on way

• Practical work that involves using your hands carefully, such as assembling components

Entry Requirements

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English

• Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31 August 2027.

The Benefits

• A starting salary of £16,750 yearly, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme

• Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.

• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter‑terrorism.

Location

Reading area: AWE Aldermaston and/or AWE Burghfield sites, depending on your apprenticeship pathway, placements and business needs. Due to the nature of our work and security requirements, you should expect to work on‑site during your apprenticeship and in your role after you complete it. Being on‑site means you can learn directly from experienced technical specialists, access hands‑on support, and build valuable connections across the business.

Start Date: 1st September 2027

Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.

Apprenticeship Duration

3 years plus End Point Assessment

Contact us

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [e-mail]

Next steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you.

Important things you need to know

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.

• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.