There is a wide variety of mechanical maintenance roles at AWE such as working on the steam powered heating systems, servicing, checking and hanging filters within air handling units, bearing checks and heat and vibration level checks on motors, and perform routine services.
As a Mechanical Maintenance Apprentice, you will learn the basics of hand tools then move onto learning the operations of various machines such as milling machines, pillar drill and lathes. You will gain a variety of skills including setting up rigs, maintenance and set up of basic pipe fittings, and making crank sets. Other skills will include disassembling and reassembling equipment such as vacuum pumps, Ogden pumps and calorifiers. Further experience gained during your apprenticeship will include using hydraulic lifting equipment, cranes, compressed air, heater batteries and air ventilation systems. You will also learn how to make gaskets, pipework (which you will also pressure-test), and re-build gearboxes.
After up to 2 years of hands-on learning at our award-winning Skills Academy, you will then spend another year on placements out in the business. Your experience on these placements could include working on steam leaks and fixing pipework, ultrasound surveys, vibration analysis, and working in the trial assembly & disassembly of explosives.
Mechanical Maintenance may appeal to you if you enjoy:
Understanding how mechanical assemblies work
Understanding how heating, ventilation and cooling systems work
Understanding the operation and maintenance of rotating plant and equipment
Problem solving activities
Being hands on
Applying engineering principles into real life scenarios
About you:
You'll need to demonstrate:
A practical aptitude for engineering or technology
Computer literacy (PC)
Excellent team working skills
Good communication skills
Awareness of health and safety
The ability to follow instructions
The ability to concentrate for long periods
A real passion and motivation for this type of work
5 GCSE's at grade 4/C or above to include Maths and English
Age: Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 12th August 2024, due to security clearance requirements
If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a Degree level apprenticeship.
Duration of training: 3 - 4 years (varies depending on personal performance)
Location: You will be based in Aldermaston (close to Reading)
What we offer:
We offer our apprentices a starting salary of 16,000. This increases annually with second year salary being 20,500
A market leading contributory pension scheme
Generous holiday entitlement and excellent work/life balance including a 9-day working fortnight. This means that every other Friday you won't be required to work!
Alongside these benefits you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field whilst helping us to continue to deliver national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism solutions.
The start date for all Apprenticeships in 2024 is Monday 12th August 2024. Annual leave will not be granted for weeks commencing 12th and 19th August and 11th September, due to mandatory inductions and the requirement for you to complete as part of your apprenticeship.
Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, the scheme will close to new applications. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out!