Career Change into Engineering

Career Change into Engineering

Location: Berkshire

Package: 27,750 per annum + sector leading pension and range of benefits

Please note, you must be a British Citizen with a minimum of 10 years residency in the UK to apply for this role.

Let us introduce the role

AWE's Engineering Foundation Scheme offers a rare and cost-effective opportunity to re-train and transition into a career as a professional engineer, starting with a full-time, permanent role as a Technical Administrator within our Engineering team.

Are you competent at maths? Do you have an interest in science and engineering? Have you worked for several years in a non-technical career but would relish the challenge of retraining as an engineer working on cutting-edge projects? Do you want a stable career that will give you immense job satisfaction and excellent rewards?

AWE keeps the UK safe and secure through nuclear science, technology and engineering. The world is changing and AWE's challenging and expanding work needs new employees with new skills and new ideas. There are not enough trained engineers coming through the traditional apprenticeship and university routes to meet our needs. So, we are 'thinking outside the box' by offering this exciting route for people to transition into engineering after a few years in non-technical careers. We offer long-term stable careers for the right people. Last year we recruited a variety of people through this scheme, such as a former postman, chef, policeman, office administrator, IT salesman and personal trainer. This year, could it be you!

First year of employment:

• Your Technical Administrator role will be on site two-days-per-week at Aldermaston, Berkshire, helping the smooth running of engineering projects from an admin perspective. This will enable you to gain knowledge of some of our engineering work.

• For the remainder of the week, you will study a level 3 engineering foundation course at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe. You will spend two-days-per-week on campus attending lectures and one-day-per-week will be a private study day.

AWE will pay the university fee of 9,250 for your level 3 Engineering foundation course at Buckinghamshire New University. Please note, there could be pay back clauses for non-completion, see below.

From year 2 onwards:

After successful completion of the Foundation course, you will be located full-time at AWE sites at either Aldermaston or Burghfield, Berkshire. Based on your academic progress on the Foundation course, you may choose to pursue your further career in two ways:

• progression along your starting career path of technical administration, leading on to technical author roles

• further training and study (full time, part time or apprenticeship) to create a career in one of our many engineering disciplines, e.g. mechanical, manufacturing, design, electronics, electrical, civil, structural, construction, computing, systems.

How we will re-invigorate your career

The level 3 foundation is a generic engineering course allowing you to move into any engineering discipline for future study and a future career. After completing this course, there is the opportunity to pursue an HNC, degree or apprenticeship depending on your academic progress and AWE's business need.

Once in an engineering role we will support you (if you wish) to work towards professional registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). This includes mentoring and additional training.

Who are we looking for?

Candidates will be expected to have:

• An aptitude for maths and science

• Grade 4/ Grade C in Maths and English Language at GCSE

• Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A levels, BTEC) in any subject, with grades equalling at least 32 UCAS tariff points

• An inquisitive mind and interest in engineering

• Good attention to detail

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Good standard of computer literacy

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don't always 'tick every box'. That's why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience

Next steps

• Applications Close: 27th April 2025 ( may close sooner if high levels of applications received)

• On-site Interviews: Tuesday 13th May or Wednesday 14th May 2025 (you will only attend one event)

• Offers made: Week commencing 19th May 2025

• Start date: Monday 15th September 2025

Contractual Terms

Whilst your Level 3 Foundation course fees will be funded by AWE, there will be payback clauses for those who choose not to complete the course or leave the company within a specified period after course completion.

Please contact AWE at should you have any additional questions about this scheme.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Important things you need to know:

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.

• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.