Control and Instrumentation Level 3 Apprenticeship

Control and Instrumentation Level 3 Apprenticeship

About the apprenticeship:

Control and Instrumentation (C&I) is one of the critical professions at AWE, playing a vital role in our mission to keep the nation safe and secure. As a C&I engineer, you will work on systems that measure and control various processes essential to our operations.

In simple terms, C&I engineers develop and maintain systems that monitor and adjust different aspects of complex operations, such as the flow of water, or the temperature of a furnace. Your role will involve creating, simplifying, and automating these processes to ensure they function seamlessly at the touch of a button.

During your apprenticeship, you will learn how to:

• For the first 18months you will train in our Skills Academy, as well as attend college. This is where you will learn about Electronic/Electrical theory. You will complete individual small projects, where you will be involved in designing, fault-finding & maintaining C&I systems.
• After 18months you will join qualified trades people onsite where you will receive on-the-job training as a C&I engineer, these placements expose you to a spectrum of our plant & facilities.
• You will work with advanced measurement systems that monitor pressure, level, flow, temperature, and more.
  • Develop and implement control systems that adjust processes based on these measurements.
  • Utilise both hardware and software to design, automate, and maintain machinery and processes.

By joining our C&I team, you will gain hands-on experience with a range of systems, from everyday household appliances to cutting-edge industrial equipment. Your work will directly contribute to the efficiency and safety of our operations, making a tangible impact on our mission.

If you are passionate about technology and eager to develop skills that are critical to national safety and security, our C&I apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity for you

This role may appeal to you if you enjoy:

If you have an interest in understanding how engineering systems function, understanding Safe systems of work, enjoy being hands on and applying for engineering principles into real life scenarios, then we would love to hear from you!

Entry Requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English
• Applicants must be aged 16 or over, as of 31st August 2026 due to security clearance requirements
• You must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
• If you currently hold a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or similar, you should consider applying for a degree level apprenticeship.

Duration:

36 months plus 3 months End Point Assessment

The Benefits:

• Starting salary of £16,750, increasing to £23,500 in Year 2 and annually throughout your apprenticeship — subject to meeting key milestones and performance expectations.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlement of 270 hours a year (inclusive of Bank Holidays) plus every other Friday off
• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

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.

Location:

Aldermaston/Reading area

Start Date: Tuesday 1st September 2026

Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 2nd October 2026 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.

Recruitment Process

This vacancy will close on 22nd February 2026, but we review applications as they come in—so we strongly encourage you to apply early.

We want you to shine in your application process which is designed to be fair and transparent. So we've kept it simple with a three-step process.

1. Online application: Apply for one apprenticeship; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.
2. Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Don't be intimidated: practice assessments will be available so you will be fully equipped with the knowledge of what to expect.
3. Virtual assessment: Those successful at testing will be invited to a virtual assessment centre. The Assessment Centres are scheduled for 11th and 16th February 2026. Please note that these dates may be subject to change, but rest assured, we’ll keep all applicants informed throughout the process.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process.All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

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 us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

Contact us:

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at EarlyCareers@awe.co.uk

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.