Engineering apprenticeships

Available from college to university level, discover how engineering apprenticeships can open doors to a range of exciting and challenging careers

An engineering apprenticeship allows you to gain hands-on engineering experience while studying towards an industry-recognised qualification. These opportunities typically last two to five years, depending on the level, and you'll earn a salary for the duration of the programme.

What are the different levels for an engineering apprenticeship?

• Advanced - Level 3, equivalent to A-level. You'll need a set number of GCSEs, including maths and English, to enter these programmes. Otherwise, you may need to complete functional skills qualifications.
• Higher - Levels 4 and 5, equivalent to a foundation degree or above. Eligibility requirements usually involve a combination of GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalent).
• Degree - Levels 6 and 7, equivalent to a Bachelors and Masters degree, respectively. These apprenticeships expect you to hold Level 3 qualifications, such as A-levels, BTEC diplomas or T Levels.

For most engineering apprenticeships, previous qualifications in a STEM (science, maths, engineering or mathematics) subject are required.

Many engineering jobs require a degree, so you'll usually need a Level 6 or 7 apprenticeship to work in graduate roles, such as civil and mechanical engineers.

These apprenticeships are often presented as a viable alternative to university and are well suited to career changers.

What areas do engineering apprenticeships cover?

Here are ten of the most popular engineering programmes:

• Aerospace - work to design, develop and manufacture aircraft, spacecraft and other related technologies, such as drones and satellites.
• Automotive - tasked with designing and developing vehicles, from electric cars to high-performance sports models.
• Civil - concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of the built environment, from roads and tunnels to airports and flood defences. Read our 6 tips for getting into civil engineering.
• Construction - oversee the planning and construction of buildings and infrastructure, covering everything from housing projects to bridges and railroads. Get the lowdown on construction apprenticeships.
• Electrical - design and use electrical devices, systems and equipment. This could be for specific industries such as transport, communication, and technology, such as computers and smartphones.
• Nuclear - a discipline that involves designing, building and decommissioning nuclear processing systems and the energy produced, such as electricity.
• Manufacturing - the efficient production of goods through technology and controlled processes. This includes designing systems for manufacturing food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.
• Marine - engineers will design, build and repair marine vehicles and ocean systems such as ships, boats, submarines and offshore drilling platforms.
• Mechanical - combining materials science with maths and physics, focused on studying machines involving force or movement, such as robotics and vehicles.
• Software engineering - drawing together engineering and computer science principles, you'll create, design and test software for business systems, applications and video games. You can also consider IT apprenticeships.

You can also do apprenticeships in other engineering disciplines, such as:

• broadcast - see media apprenticeships.
• chemical
• communication
• hydraulics
• maintenance
• mining
• process
• telecommunications
• transport - see transport apprenticeships.

Explore our engineering job profiles and get an overview of the UK's engineering industry.

Which companies offer engineering apprenticeships?

• Airbus - includes degree apprenticeships in electrical/electronic engineering and mechanical engineering.
• Amey - its apprenticeships focus on rail design, civil engineering, data science, environmental practitioner and chartered surveying.
• Arup - recruits over 100 apprentices a year, with schemes covering building services, civil and structural engineering and rail design.
• Babcock - intermediate/advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships are available in a number of areas including electrical, mechanical and process.
• BAE Systems - from intermediate to degree level, engineering apprenticeships include electrical, maintenance, mechanical and software.
• British Sugar - process, mechanical and electrical engineering apprenticeships are available at the advanced level.
• Jaguar Land Rover - a four-year applied professional engineering degree apprenticeship.
• MBDA - four-year apprenticeships in engineering, software and manufacturing.
• ±·±ð²õ³Ù±ôé - an advanced engineering apprenticeship.
• Network Rail - choose from various advanced rail engineering and infrastructure programmes.
• Rolls-Royce - a range of manufacturing, materials, electrical and electronic degree apprenticeships are available.
• Stagecoach - four-year engineering apprenticeships are available from the bus and coach company.
• TUI Group - become a qualified engineer with an aircraft engineering apprenticeship.
• Unilever - engineering apprenticeships from the technician (intermediate) to the product design development programme (degree).

Where else can you find engineering apprenticeships?

In addition to bigger firms, many small businesses offer apprenticeships, as they can ensure that everything their apprentices learn will directly benefit their organisation.

The workload depends on the specific employer, but you could do anything from operating factory machines to installing telecom systems.

To search for the latest opportunities, visit GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship.

Engineers are essential in almost all sectors. Don't miss out on opportunities in other industries by researching the companies you're interested in to see if they offer any relevant schemes.

For instance, if you are interested in the nuclear energy industry, read about nuclear engineering courses, including degree apprenticeships in nuclear engineering.

You can also explore other engineering courses.

What are the entry requirements?

To be eligible to apply, you must be 16 or over, live in England, and not be in full-time education.

The exact requirements for these programmes will vary according to the level you're applying for. This may be a combination of qualifications or a set number of UCAS Tariff points - see how to apply for university.

For instance, ±·±ð²õ³Ù±ôé asks for at least 104 UCAS points for its higher and degree apprenticeships.

Alternatively, to be eligible for Jaguar Land Rover's Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering degree apprenticeship, you'll need:

• Level 5 or above in GCSE English language and maths
• three additional GCSEs at Level 5 or higher
• grade B in A-level maths
• another A-level at grade C or above.

What are the key skills for an engineering apprentice?

Skills that would be advantageous include:

• manual dexterity
• an interest in the technical side of operating machinery
• good people and problem-solving skills
• scientific and mathematical ability
• teamwork skills
• and a logical and enquiring mind.

What's involved in an engineering apprenticeship?

The role will be focused on your specialist engineering area and will differ depending on the nature of the business and the engineering discipline the company is involved with. For example, the content of an aircraft engineering apprenticeship will be different from that of a software engineering apprenticeship.

Generally speaking, engineering apprentices take on an operator role, which can involve:

• installing telecommunications systems
• assembling car engines
• fitting and testing machinery
• demolishing buildings
• or checking commercial or RAF aircraft.

However, all programmes involve combining full-time employment with part-time study. You could be allocated one day a week to attend college or university or study in scheduled blocks of a week or more.

Assessment methods depend on the apprenticeship, but you'll likely be assessed through a combination of:

• essays
• coursework
• practical and written exams.

To discover what engineering apprenticeships involve, visit Institute for Apprenticeships - Search the apprenticeship standards.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship?

You apply for an apprenticeship as you would for any other job. Research the organisation thoroughly and know what the apprenticeship involves. Be sure to tailor your application to each role, as one size doesn't fit all.

You'll typically apply for an apprenticeship through an online application form, but check with the employer as methods can vary. You'll need to use relevant examples of any projects you've been involved with in your application.

For an engineering apprenticeship, you could refer to relevant school coursework in maths and science or any engineering-focused work experience you've undertaken. You'll likely need to write a cover letter or supporting statement for your application. To get some inspiration, see our example apprenticeship cover letter.

Certain organisations may ask you to sit situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests, and participate in an assessment centre as part of their recruitment process.

When do I apply for these programmes?

Some employers open applications in November, while others advertise their schemes early in the year (January to April) to start that September.

For instance, the closing date for apprenticeship schemes at BAE Systems is set for the end of February, with a start date in August or September.

Furthermore, some organisations advertise apprenticeship vacancies all year round. It differs from company to company, so research and watch for vacancies.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £6.40 per hour (from April 2024) for apprentices under 19 and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

If you're over 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you must be paid the minimum wage for your age.

Individual employers determine salaries, but in most cases, you'll be paid significantly more than the NMW.

Here are some examples of what you can expect from recruiters in 2025:

• Amey - £24,282 for its Level 3 Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship.
• Babcock - £38,378 for its Level 6 Electrical Engineering Accelerated Apprenticeship.
• BAE Systems - £18,018 for its Level 3 Apprentice Steelwork Fabricator Apprenticeship.
• British Sugar - £25,000 for its Level 4 Control Engineering Apprenticeship.
• Jaguar Land Rover - £26,092 for its Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Programme Apprenticeship.
• MBDA - £18,000, plus a £3,000 joining bonus.
• ±·±ð²õ³Ù±ôé - £18,958.
• Network Rail - £24,500 for its Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship.
• Rolls-Royce - £21,776 for its Level 6 Engineering Apprenticeship.
• Unilever - £17,686.76 (£340.13 per week) for its Level 3 Engineering Technician.

Engineering apprentices typically earn £18,000 to £26,000, although salaries can go as high as £38,000.

As an apprentice, you'll be paid for your normal working hours and any training in your scheme. You're entitled to at least 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays. You'll also be eligible for benefits such as a pension scheme, access to wellbeing and support services, and discounts.

Find out more

• Explore whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship.
• Discover where to get engineering work experience.
• Consider engineering graduate schemes.