Researching employers

Researching engineering apprenticeships

Engineering apprenticeships go from workshop technician roles to degree-level design. How to compare employers, with real figures from the big engineering employers we've researched.

The short answer

Engineering apprenticeships cover manufacturing, maintenance, rail, civil engineering and design, from Level 3 to Level 6. Many Level 3 routes ask for GCSE maths and a science. Check where the job is based, because engineering roles are usually tied to one site, and whether you'd need security clearance.

Key figures

Apprentices in training at BAE Systems across the UK (December 2025)
5,100
Source: BAE Systems
BAE Systems apprentice starters who were female, against 17% across UK engineering and technology
Almost 30%
Source: BAE Systems
New apprentices who joined Network Rail in the year to February 2026
290
Source: Network Rail media centre
Rolls-Royce first-year salary for a Level 3 apprenticeship (April 2026, varies by location)
£18,316
Source: Rolls-Royce careers

“Engineering apprenticeship” covers a massive range of jobs: machining parts in a factory, fixing railway signals, designing aircraft parts or running construction projects. So the first step is working out which kind of engineering you’re into.

Types of engineering apprenticeship

Some of the areas offered by employers we’ve researched:

  • Manufacturing and machining: like the machinist and fitter roles at Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.
  • Maintenance and electrical: like mechatronics maintenance technician and electrical engineering technician roles at Rolls-Royce.
  • Rail engineering: Network Rail offers Level 3 rail engineering technician apprenticeships and a Level 6 rail and rail systems (signalling) apprenticeship.
  • Civil engineering: Balfour Beatty and Network Rail both offer civil engineering apprenticeships.
  • Design and aerospace: BAE Systems has an aerospace engineering degree apprenticeship, and Rolls-Royce has design technician roles.

How big is engineering?

Some of the biggest apprenticeship programmes in the UK are in engineering. Among the employers we’ve researched:

  • BAE Systems said in December 2025 it had about 5,100 apprentices in training across the UK, and that almost 30% of its new apprentices were women, compared with 17% across UK engineering and technology.
  • Network Rail said 290 new apprentices joined in the year to February 2026, and 1,780 over five years.
  • Rolls-Royce offers apprenticeships at 11 UK locations, and published a first-year salary of £18,316 for its Level 3 apprenticeship and £23,933 for its degree apprenticeships (April 2026, depending on location).

What to compare

Entry requirements

These vary, and some employers publish more detail than others. For example:

  • Network Rail’s advice for an earlier Level 3 engineering intake asked for GCSE maths at grade 5 or above, plus English language, a science or engineering subject and one other subject at grade 4 or above.
  • Balfour Beatty’s general guidance for advanced apprenticeships is three GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English, maths and a science.
  • Rolls-Royce says its Level 3 route is for people who have finished, or are finishing, their GCSEs or equivalent.

Treat these as examples, not rules. Requirements change from year to year and between roles.

Location

Engineering jobs are usually tied to a particular site or depot. Rolls-Royce has apprenticeships at 11 UK locations. Network Rail’s application advice says it considers depots within 60 minutes’ travel of your home.

Security checks

Defence work can mean security checks. BAE Systems says everyone has to pass at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, and that many roles need National Security Vetting, which usually means 5 to 10 years of living in the UK without a break.

Where it leads

Check what qualification you’d finish with and where previous apprentices have ended up. A Level 3 technician programme and a Level 6 degree apprenticeship lead to pretty different jobs.

Good questions for open days

These are our suggestions, not information from employers:

  • What does a normal week look like in the first year?
  • How does the off-the-job training work, and where is it?
  • What jobs do apprentices usually move into afterwards?
  • Will I work at one site or several?

Summary

  • Engineering apprenticeships cover manufacturing, maintenance, rail, civil engineering, design and more, from Level 3 to Level 6.
  • Entry requirements differ between employers and years; many Level 3 routes ask for GCSE maths and a science.
  • Engineering jobs are usually tied to one site, so check where it is and how you'd get there.
  • Defence employers may need security clearance, which can mean 5 to 10 years of living in the UK.

Related video

A day in the life of an Engineering Apprentice

UCAS on YouTube

The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

Questions you might have

What GCSEs do you need for an engineering apprenticeship?

It varies, but many Level 3 routes ask for GCSE maths and a science. Balfour Beatty's general guidance is three GCSEs at grades 9–4 including English, maths and a science, and Network Rail asked for maths at grade 5 for an earlier intake.

How much do engineering apprentices get paid?

Rolls-Royce publishes its pay: £18,316 in the first year of its Level 3 apprenticeship and £23,933 for its degree apprenticeships (April 2026, depending on location). Many other employers don't publish pay.

Do you need security clearance for a defence apprenticeship?

BAE Systems says everyone needs at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, and many roles need National Security Vetting, which usually means 5 to 10 years of living in the UK without a break.

Which companies offer the most engineering apprenticeships?

BAE Systems had about 5,100 apprentices in training in December 2025, and Network Rail took on 290 in the year to February 2026. See all of them in our engineering and manufacturing industry page.

Can I do an engineering apprenticeship at Formula 1 teams?

Yes. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Williams and Alpine all run apprenticeships, mostly at Level 3 in hands-on factory roles. Our motorsport page compares them.

Sources and review

Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.

  1. Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom BAE Systems · accessed
  2. UK Apprenticeships & School Leaver Programmes Rolls-Royce · accessed
  3. Apprenticeships (programme listings) Network Rail · accessed
  4. Applying for a Level 3 Engineering apprenticeship Network Rail · accessed Advice written for an earlier intake.
  5. Apprentices Balfour Beatty · accessed
  6. Record number of young people in training at UK's largest defence company BAE Systems · accessed
  7. Network Rail apprentices powering the future of our railway Network Rail media centre · accessed

Read about how we research and review content.

  • Alpine F1 Team

    The Formula 1 team based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, racing as BWT Alpine F1 Team. Its two-to-three-year apprentice programme leads to a Level 3 engineering apprenticeship in one of five factory departments.

    Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced

  • BAE Systems

    The UK's biggest defence company, with around 5,100 apprentices in training and more than 60 UK programmes, from intermediate to degree level, in engineering, manufacturing, business and tech.

    Engineering and manufacturing
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Balfour Beatty

    A big construction and infrastructure company with apprenticeships at four levels and in 13 areas, from trades and highways maintenance to civil engineering and quantity surveying, lasting two to five years.

    Construction and infrastructure
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • British Airways

    The UK airline, with apprenticeships in aircraft engineering, business and data science at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow and Cardiff. Programmes last 18 months to four years and pay £15,643 to £27,611, with discounted flights.

    Transport and aviation
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L6–7 Degree

  • EDF

    The energy company that runs nuclear power stations in Britain and is building Hinkley Point C. Its four-year Engineering Maintenance Technician apprenticeship starts with two years at the National College for Nuclear.

    Energy and utilities
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Heathrow

    The UK's biggest airport. Its engineering apprenticeship trains you as an electromechanical technician, with BTEC and NVQ Level 3 qualifications and the option of an HNC, and more than 95% of apprentices are offered a permanent role.

    Transport and aviation
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher

  • Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)

    The British car maker behind Jaguar and Land Rover. It offers four-year apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7 in engineering, digital, supply chain and finance. Degree apprentices are paid £26,092, and Level 3 apprentices around £17,393.

    Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Laing O'Rourke

    The construction and engineering company behind major UK building and infrastructure projects. It runs trade and technical apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3 after GCSEs, and professional apprenticeships at Levels 4 and 6 after A levels or T Levels.

    Construction and infrastructure, Engineering and manufacturing
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

    The Formula 1 team based in Brackley, Northamptonshire. It takes on apprentices every year for Level 3 apprenticeships of up to 42 months and Level 4 IT apprenticeships of up to 19 months, and asks for five GCSEs at grade 5.

    Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher

  • Morgan Sindall Construction

    The UK construction company. It runs site and office apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year olds with GCSEs and A levels, and degree apprenticeships in construction, surveying and engineering for people aged 18 and over.

    Construction and infrastructure
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Network Rail

    Runs the railway tracks, signals and stations across England, Scotland and Wales. It took on 290 apprentices in a year and 1,780 over five years, with Level 3, 4 and 6 programmes in engineering, IT, finance, HR, project management and AI.

    Transport and aviation, Construction and infrastructure, Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Rolls-Royce

    An engineering company working on aircraft engines and submarines, with UK apprenticeships at 11 locations from Level 3 to degree level, and published pay that rises to £34,832 in the fourth year of a degree apprenticeship.

    Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Sellafield Ltd

    The company cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria. It runs apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree level and was named England's second highest-ranked apprenticeship employer in 2026.

    Energy and utilities
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • SSE

    The energy company behind electricity networks and renewable power across the UK and Ireland. Entry-level apprentices earn £14,894 and higher or degree apprentices £24,580, and most apprenticeships take three to four years.

    Energy and utilities
    • L4–5 Higher
    • L6–7 Degree

  • Translink

    Northern Ireland's public transport provider, running buses, Glider and trains. Its four-year engineering apprenticeships in bus and rail maintenance lead to NVQ Level 3, and anyone 16 or over can apply.

    Transport and aviation
    • L2 Intermediate
    • L3 Advanced

  • Williams F1 Team

    The Formula 1 team based in Grove, Oxfordshire, racing as Atlassian Williams F1 Team. It runs a three-year apprenticeship for school leavers where you rotate through four areas of the factory.

    Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing
    • L3 Advanced