Engineering and manufacturing apprentices learn how complicated things are designed, made, tested and kept working. The jobs go from hands-on roles in workshops and factories to design, planning and project management in an office.
Big engineering employers often run apprenticeships at lots of levels at once. Among the employers we’ve researched, BAE Systems has routes from intermediate (Level 2) to degree (Level 6), Rolls-Royce has advanced (Level 3), higher and degree routes plus a Young Apprenticeship that starts in Year 9, and JLR has four-year apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7.
Before you start looking
- Jobs are specific. An “engineering apprenticeship” could mean machining, electrical maintenance, design or aerospace engineering. Check exactly which job and qualification each programme leads to.
- Location matters. Engineering employers usually recruit for particular sites. Rolls-Royce, for example, has apprenticeships at 11 UK locations.
- Defence work means extra checks. Companies working on defence projects may need security clearance. BAE Systems says many of its roles need National Security Vetting, which usually means several years of living in the UK without a break.
Types of work and careers
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Mechanical and electrical engineering
Building, testing and maintaining machinery, power systems and electrical equipment.
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Manufacturing and machining
Turning designs into precise parts and products, often using computer-controlled machines.
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Design and technical roles
Producing drawings and models, checking specifications and solving technical problems.
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Project, supply chain and business roles
Planning work, managing suppliers and budgets, and keeping large programmes on track.
Compare Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships
A quick side-by-side of what each employer publishes. Pick a level to see what each employer offers at that level, and open a profile for the full details and sources.
All employers
| Employer | Levels | Length | Pay | Entry requirements | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine F1 Team | 2–3 years | Not published | Not published | Enstone, Oxfordshire | |
| Amazon UK | 18–48 months | Not published | From 3 GCSEs at grade 4 to ABB at A level, depending on the programme | Operations sites, plus offices in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cambridge, Bristol and London | |
| BAE Systems | Up to 4–5 years (degree) | Not published | Not published | Tied to a specific UK site | |
| Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) | 4 years | Around £17,393 (Level 3) to £26,092 (degree) | Set for each programme | A JLR site chosen by JLR | |
| Laing O'Rourke | 2–5 years | Not published | 3 GCSEs (trade) to 3 A levels or equivalent (professional) | Projects across the UK; head office in Dartford | |
| Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | Up to 19–42 months | Discussed at interview | 5 GCSEs at grade 5+, including maths, science and English | Brackley, Northamptonshire | |
| Network Rail | 3 years (Level 3 engineering) | Not published | GCSE maths at grade 5 plus three more at grade 4 (Level 3 engineering, earlier intake) | Depots within 60 minutes of home (Level 3 engineering) | |
| Rolls-Royce | 4 years (Level 3) | £18,316–£23,933 in year one | GCSEs or National 5s (Level 3); A levels or Highers (higher and degree) | 11 UK locations | |
| Williams F1 Team | 3 years | Not published | Not published | Grove, Oxfordshire |
Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAE Systems | 1 programme Intermediate apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Laing O'Rourke | 1 programme Trade and technical apprenticeships | 2–4 years | Not published | 3 GCSEs (trade) to 3 A levels or equivalent (professional) |
Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine F1 Team | 1 programme Apprentice programme | 2–3 years | Not published | Not published |
| Amazon UK | 2 programmes Mechatronics Apprentice (RME); Business Administrator Apprentice | 36–48 months; 18 months | Not published | From 3 GCSEs at grade 4 to ABB at A level, depending on the programme |
| BAE Systems | 1 programme Advanced apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) | 1 programme Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship | 4 years | Around £17,393 | Set for each programme |
| Laing O'Rourke | 1 programme Trade and technical apprenticeships | 2–4 years | Not published | 3 GCSEs (trade) to 3 A levels or equivalent (professional) |
| Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 1 programme Level 3 apprenticeships | Up to 42 months | Not published | 5 GCSEs at grade 5+, including maths, science and English |
| Network Rail | 2 programmes Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England and Wales); Level 3 apprenticeships in finance, HR support, IT and rail infrastructure operations | 3 years | Not published | GCSE maths at grade 5 plus three more at grade 4 (Level 3 engineering, earlier intake) |
| Rolls-Royce | 1 programme Advanced / Modern Apprenticeships | 4 years | £18,316 rising to £27,317 | GCSEs or National 5s (Level 3); A levels or Highers (higher and degree) |
| Williams F1 Team | 4 programmes Composites; Metallics and 2 more | 3 years | Not published | Not published |
Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4–5)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK | 1 programme Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship | 42 months | Not published | From 3 GCSEs at grade 4 to ABB at A level, depending on the programme |
| BAE Systems | 1 programme Higher apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Laing O'Rourke | 1 programme Professional apprenticeships | Up to 5 years | Not published | 3 GCSEs (trade) to 3 A levels or equivalent (professional) |
| Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team | 1 programme Level 4 IT apprenticeships | Up to 19 months | Not published | 5 GCSEs at grade 5+, including maths, science and English |
| Network Rail | 1 programme Level 4 Project Management Apprenticeship | Not published | Not published | GCSE maths at grade 5 plus three more at grade 4 (Level 3 engineering, earlier intake) |
| Rolls-Royce | 1 programme Higher Apprenticeships | Not published | £21,512 rising to £32,083 | GCSEs or National 5s (Level 3); A levels or Highers (higher and degree) |
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6–7)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK | 2 programmes Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship; Software Development Engineer Apprentice | 42 months | Not published | From 3 GCSEs at grade 4 to ABB at A level, depending on the programme |
| BAE Systems | 1 programme Degree apprenticeships | 4–5 years | Not published | Not published |
| Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) | 4 programmes Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship; Level 6 Applied Professional Engineering Programme (APEP) Degree Apprenticeship and 2 more | 4 years | £26,092 | Set for each programme |
| Laing O'Rourke | 1 programme Professional apprenticeships | Up to 5 years | Not published | 3 GCSEs (trade) to 3 A levels or equivalent (professional) |
| Network Rail | 1 programme Level 6 apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | GCSE maths at grade 5 plus three more at grade 4 (Level 3 engineering, earlier intake) |
| Rolls-Royce | 1 programme Degree Apprenticeships | Not published | £23,933 rising to £34,832 | GCSEs or National 5s (Level 3); A levels or Highers (higher and degree) |
Key figures
- Apprentices in training at BAE Systems across the UK (December 2025)
- 5,100
- Source: BAE Systems (opens in a new tab)
- UK locations offering Rolls-Royce apprenticeship programmes
- 11
- Source: Rolls-Royce careers (opens in a new tab)
- Rolls-Royce first-year salary for a Level 3 apprenticeship (April 2026, varies by location)
- £18,316
- Source: Rolls-Royce careers (opens in a new tab)
Summary
- Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships go from hands-on workshop jobs to design and project management.
- Big employers like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and JLR run apprenticeships at several levels at once.
- Jobs are usually tied to one site, and defence work can need security clearance.
Employers we profile in this industry
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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.
Industry: Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing -
Amazon UK
Amazon has more than 20 UK apprenticeship programmes, from Level 3 mechatronics engineering in its warehouses to Level 6 software development and management degree apprenticeships.
Industry: Retail and logistics, Digital and technology, Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Construction and infrastructure, Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Construction and infrastructure, Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Engineering and manufacturing -
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.
Industry: Motorsport, Engineering and manufacturing
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.