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Didcot, Oxfordshire
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £18,000 per annum rising annually
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract type: Fixed Term for 3 years
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot
Closing date: 18th February 2024
Interview date: March 2024 (this role is likely to have an Assessment Centre as part of the interview process)
Start date: September 2024
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has over 25 years’ experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. We offer a competitive salary that increases annually, 3 years supervised training, additional core skills development and the opportunity to undertake overseas placements.
We are looking to recruit Level 3 Engineering Apprentices to join us in September 2024 at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on our rotational engineering programme.
The successful candidates will follow either a mechanical, electrical or electronic based programme undertaking placements in our ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, RAL Space, Central Laser Facility and Technology departments.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else!
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve your goals – and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here.
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
As a rotating engineering apprentice your main duties/responsibilities will include:
Complete a prescribed programme of training to be conducted within the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Work under the guidance and support of your team within each placement
Work safely and in line with established safety measures in the laboratory on a day-to-day basis
Follow procedures and risk assessments with supervision.
As an STFC Apprentice you will communicate with staff across STFC and at all levels. You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own. You will also represent STFC through the contact you have with your training provider
Attend appropriate additional training to support the role and service delivery
You will be enrolled onto either the Level 3 Machining pathway (Mechanical Apprentices) or the Level 3 Mechatronics pathway (Electrical and Electronic Apprentices) on a three-year apprenticeship:
Year 1-2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), and undertake on-the-job training via placements on a rotational basis in your chosen discipline, either mechanical, electrical or electronic. Training will be in six-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham.
Year 3: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become an Engineering Technician.
You will be required to attend OAS as required as part of your training; you must therefore be willing and able to travel independently. Excess travel costs will be covered.
Throughout your apprenticeship, you will be expected to support scientists from all over the world as they continue to push back the barriers of science.
Pathway Learning Units:
Level 3 Machinist Standard (Mechanical Apprentices)
Level 3 Mechatronics Standard (Electrical and Electronic Apprentices)
Health & Safety
Milling / Advanced Milling
Turning / Advanced Turning
Hand Fitting
Drawing
Inspection & Measurement
Maths
Efficiency / Business Improvement Techniques
Communications
CNC machining
Materials
Health & Safety
Hand Fitting
Assembly & Maintenance
Electrical Installation
Communications
Maths
Maintenance
Electrical & Electronic Principles
Additive Manufacturing
Efficiency / Business Improvement Techniques
PLC
Person specification (Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and any special requirements)
In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English
Interest in engineering and the ability to demonstrate a basic level of knowledge and skill (S&I)
Good problem solving skills (I)
Ability to work independently and as part of a small team. (S&I)
Good communication skills (both written and verbal) (S&I)
Self-motivated; willing to undertake the work required with the training provider and in the workplace
Ability to work using own initiative (I)
Desirable:
IT Literacy and working with Microsoft office application such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Important Information
To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A -C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2024, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what’s possible.
We will be in touch after the closing date, however, please reach out on if you have any questions.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit
You can also visit our careers site
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect . click apply for full job details
