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Operations apprenticeships
Want to find out more?
Your mission
As an Operations Apprentice at AWE, you’ll take your first steps into a truly unique environment, one that brings together operations, manufacturing, science, engineering, and more.
You will be key to providing manufacturing and assembly capabilities to the defence and security of the United Kingdom. You will experience hands-on production and process operations in a highly regulated and safety conscious working environment.
This is where your career in operations begins; with purpose, variety, and real impact.
THE QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL NEED
Five GCSE’s at Grade 4/C or above to include Maths and English – a Science is desirable but not mandatory.
You’ll need to be a British Citizen and be aged 16 or over, as of 31st August 2025.
WORK PATTERN
You’ll be based at our Aldermaston site with one day a week off-site at college.
At AWE, we operate on a nine-day fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
SKILLS TO DEMONSTRATE
• Attention to detail
• Excellent team working skills
• Good communication skills
• Awareness of health and safety
• Fantastic time management skills
Your journey
You’ll rotate through key operational areas including logistics, explosives, and assembly, learning how to follow critical processes, complete essential tasks, and deliver work to the highest standards. Along the way, you might support lab analysis, help monitor environmental health, or contribute to admin that keeps everything moving.
You’ll also explore the science behind our work – like pulsed power trials, where energy is stored and released in an instant. In our explosives area, you’ll learn how to safely conduct experiments and apply the right safety measures every step of the way.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
You’re someone who’s curious, capable, and ready to learn. This role might be a great fit for you if you’re someone who notices the details and always looks for ways to improve things.
You enjoy understanding how processes work in the real world, take a logical approach to problem-solving, and like to get hands-on with tasks. Whether it’s reviewing documents, assembling components with precision, or applying practical thinking to technical challenges.
You’ll need medical test for general fitness and suitability to work with our unique materials. This includes having a BMI of under 35 which is a legal requirement for wearing respiratory protection.
Applications are currently closed.
You can register your interest and we will reach out to you when we reopen.