AWE
Together, delivering solutions for a safe and secure future.
AWE runs apprenticeships from Level 3 (Advanced) through Level 4/5 (Higher) to Level 6 (Degree) for school and college leavers, covering engineering, maintenance, science, project delivery and business functions that support the UK's nuclear deterrent. Apprentices are employed at AWE's Berkshire sites and study with an approved training provider; every apprentice goes through national security vetting.
Programmes
- 2027 intakeAWE ApprenticeshipsTBCOpensTBCClosesTBC
Apprenticeship types
Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Building Services Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipCivil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Civil Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipProject Controls Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Project Controls Degree ApprenticeshipProject Management Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Project Management Degree ApprenticeshipElectronic Design Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6DegreeSource for Electronic Design Degree ApprenticeshipControl and Instrumentation (C&I) Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Control and Instrumentation (C&I) ApprenticeshipElectrical Maintenance Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Electrical Maintenance ApprenticeshipOperations Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Operations ApprenticeshipMechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Mechatronic Maintenance ApprenticeshipHuman Resources (HR) Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Human Resources (HR) ApprenticeshipPrecision Machining Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Precision Machining ApprenticeshipMechanical Maintenance Apprenticeship
Level 3Source for Mechanical Maintenance ApprenticeshipFacilities Management Apprenticeship
Source for Facilities Management ApprenticeshipTechnician Scientist Apprenticeship
Source for Technician Scientist ApprenticeshipOther programmes in the 2026 qualifications matrix
Source for Other programmes in the 2026 qualifications matrix
| Apprenticeship | Level | Discipline and duration |
|---|---|---|
| Building Services Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Building Services Engineering Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Civil Engineering Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Project Controls Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Project Controls Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Project ManagementDuration not published |
| Project Management Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Project Management Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Project ManagementDuration not published |
| Electronic Design Degree ApprenticeshipDegreeSource for Electronic Design Degree Apprenticeship | Level 6 | Engineering (Electronics)Duration not published |
| Control and Instrumentation (C&I) ApprenticeshipSource for Control and Instrumentation (C&I) Apprenticeship | Level 3 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Electrical Maintenance ApprenticeshipSource for Electrical Maintenance Apprenticeship | Level 3 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Operations ApprenticeshipSource for Operations Apprenticeship | Level 3 | OperationsDuration not published |
| Mechatronic Maintenance ApprenticeshipSource for Mechatronic Maintenance Apprenticeship | Level 3 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Human Resources (HR) ApprenticeshipSource for Human Resources (HR) Apprenticeship | Level 3 | Business (HR)Duration not published |
| Precision Machining ApprenticeshipSource for Precision Machining Apprenticeship | Level 3 | Engineering (Manufacturing)Duration not published |
| Mechanical Maintenance ApprenticeshipSource for Mechanical Maintenance Apprenticeship | Level 3 | EngineeringDuration not published |
| Facilities Management ApprenticeshipSource for Facilities Management Apprenticeship | Not published | Business (Facilities Management)Duration not published |
| Technician Scientist ApprenticeshipSource for Technician Scientist Apprenticeship | Not published | ScienceDuration not published |
| Other programmes in the 2026 qualifications matrixSource for Other programmes in the 2026 qualifications matrix | Not published | VariousDuration not published |
Entry requirements
A levels from CCC
- A levels
- Varies by programme. Degree (Project Management/Controls): three A levels at C or above. Building Services/Civil Engineering: BBC incl. Maths and Chemistry or Physics. Electronic Design: A level Maths plus another STEM subject.
- UCAS points
- Building Services / Civil Engineering: 112-128 UCAS points depending on qualification route
- GCSEs
- Most programmes: 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English (some also need Science)
- Equivalents
- T Level Pass (C or above on the core) or BTEC Extended Diploma MMM accepted for Project Management/Controls
- Other
- Must be a British citizen; AWE asks about time lived outside the UK in the past 10 years. Security clearance via UK Security Vetting (can take up to 6 months). Minimum age on joining 16+ (craft) or 18+ (most others).
Application process
- Online application
- Online assessment
- Assessment centre
- Offer
- Security clearanceUp to 6 months
- Start
- Online application
- Online assessment
- Assessment centre
- Offer
- Security clearanceUp to 6 months
- Start
- 1
Online application
- 2
Online assessment
- 3
Assessment centre
- 4
Offer
- 5
Security clearance
- 6
Start
Typical timeline
- Opens
- Autumn 2026 (date to be confirmed) for the 2027 intake
- Closes
- Not published
- Assessment
- Not published
- Offers
- Not published
- Starts
- 1 September 2026 for the last campaign; 2027 start 'likely end August/start September'
Locations and universities
- Locations
- Aldermaston (Berkshire), Burghfield (Berkshire)
- Universities and training providers
- Not published
Salary and benefits
- Starting salary
- Not published
- Progression
- Not published
- Notes
- AWE says pay is 'highly competitive' and depends on the apprenticeship level; figures are not published.
- Benefits
- Nine-day fortnight working pattern
- Fully funded degree with no tuition fees (Level 6)
- Permanent role on completion
- Learning support team for apprentices
Cohort size and intakes
- Intake years
- 2026 intake2027 intake
- Cohort 2027
- Not published
- Cohort 2026
- Not published
- Cohort 2025
- Not published
What stands out
More than 70 years of apprenticeships and around 6,000 apprentices trained; over 450 people are currently on apprenticeships. Candidates may apply only once per year.
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