Advanced Electrical/Electronics Engineering Apprentice Edinburgh, Scotland
Job description
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £11,925 rising incrementally to £18,402 in the fourth year
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (4 years)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh
You are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.
Whether you’re about to leave school/college, changing career, or are seeking an exciting alternative to university, this could be just the start you’re looking for – a level 3 Electronics Engineering Apprenticeship at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC).
Our Engineering apprenticeships are approved by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) and provide an excellent opportunity to begin your Engineering career.
STFC has proven experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career in either mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering. STFC also has a broad science portfolio and works with the academic and industrial communities to share its expertise.
UK ATC is the national center for astronomical technology and is part of STFC. UK ATC designs and builds instruments for many of the world's major telescopes. They also project-manage UK and international collaborations and their scientists carry out observational and theoretical research into questions such as the origins of planets and of galaxies.
Based at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, its technology can be found in telescopes both on the ground and in space.
About the role
The engineering apprentice will undertake learning and development to become an accomplished Electronics Technician.
Year 1
For the first 6 months of the apprenticeship, you will attend Edinburgh College full-time, followed by 6 months of day release.
8 HND Electrical Engineering modules will be studied in the first year along with SVQ Level 2 modules which are more biased towards the practical element of the training, such as electrical wiring.
Year 2
From year 2 onwards, you will be based at UK ATC where you will continue your apprenticeship gaining more specialised skills within the workshop. You will gain extensive experience in broadening your knowledge and providing exposure to the full spectrum of working in a sophisticated ground breaking facility.
This opportunity will be working alongside and guided by experienced technicians and engineers, with skills and knowledge being built up through direct involvement in exciting scientific projects.
You will attend college 1 day a week covering a further 8 HND modules and 2 PEO SVQ Level 2 modules.
For the rest of the week, you will be based at the workplace, the UK ATC Edinburgh, undertaking on-the-job training when you will begin a programme of in-house SVQ Lev 3 studies. This will provide you with extensive experience to broaden your knowledge and give you the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects related to Astronomy.
Year 3
In year 3 you will again attend college 1 day a week covering a further 7 HND modules.
For the rest of the time, you will be at your workplace continuing with on-the-job SVQ Level 3 studies.
Year 4
Year 4 follows the same pattern as year 3 when a remaining 5 HND modules will be undertaken to complete the academic studies. Workplace SVQ Level 3 studies will also be finalised.
As an electronics engineering apprentice you will work closely with the technician team in the electronics group helping to design and produce electrical wiring and panel assemblies and populating electronics cabinets for a variety of projects.
As you build on your skills and expertise, you will be given the opportunity to help maintain sophisticated test systems and assembly, testing and fault finding of electrical cabling and sophisticated mechanisms both at room temperature and in a cryogenic environment.
Throughout the apprenticeship, the successful candidate will be encouraged to work with engineers and scientists working on different projects involving partner institutions mainly based in the UK and Europe as they continue to develop instrumentation which pushes back the frontiers of Astronomy.
About an apprenticeship at STFC
With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
For a list of our full benefits, please visit here:
- https://www.ukri.org/about-us/work-for-us/working-at-ukri/benefits-of-working-for-ukri/
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, we are looking for the follow:
Essential criteria:
- Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English and a STEM subject by September 2023 (or equivalent qualifications)
- Good written communication skills
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic about learning
- Demonstrate an interest in engineering, instrumentation, and/or astronomy
- Good practical skills
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Future development potential
Desirable:
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side?
Join us and discover what’s possible.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
