Programme title: Hull Surveying Apprenticeship
Level: SCQF Level 7
Salary: £16, rising annually to c.£38, post apprenticeship
Location: HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland
Application closing date: 12th March
Programme start date: August
Kickstart your career as a Marine Surveyor with the 4-year Hull Surveying Apprenticeship at Babcock. Gain hands-on experience and professional qualifications while supporting the Royal Navy’s fleet.
About the programme
Our Marine Surveying team plays a vital role at HM Naval Base Clyde, conducting detailed structural surveys on submarines, surface ships, and visiting vessels, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with industry standards and specifications.
As an apprentice, you’ll gain a mix of office-based and site-based experience. In the early stages, you’ll shadow experienced surveyors to learn key responsibilities, such as:
1. Conducting visual inspections of submarines and ships, including in tanks and confined spaces.
2. Supporting divers during underwater surveys.
3. Supervising contractors to ensure work complies with established standards.
4. Preparing detailed reports and technical drawings for submission to the Design Authority.
As you progress, you’ll take on more responsibility, directly contributing to the team’s work and playing an increasingly important role in inspections and report preparation.
Your education/training
As part of your apprenticeship, you will receive training both on-site and at West College Scotland. You will complete essential courses covering safety practices, submarine awareness, confined space protocols, radiological awareness, and more. Your formal qualifications will be achieved progressively over the course of the programme, as outlined below:
5. Year 1: Full-time at West College Scotland SVQ Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) Performing Engineering Operations NC Welding and Fabrication – Year 1
6. Year 2: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde and 1 day per week at West College Scotland SVQ Diploma Technical Services in Engineering (SCQF Level 7) NC Welding and Fabrication – Year 2
7. Year 3-4: 3 days per week on site at HMNB Clyde (if progressing to HNC) and 1 day per week at West College Scotland SVQ Diploma Technical Services in Engineering (SCQF Level 7) HNC Welding and Fabrication
Future prospects
Once fully qualified and experienced, you will be ready to step into a Marine Surveyor role at Babcock. In this position, you will conduct detailed structural surveys of submarines, surface ships, and visiting vessels at HMNB Clyde to meet the requirements of the design authorities. This role currently offers a competitive salary of £38, with a clear and structured career path leading to senior roles.
What you’ll need
8. National Level 5 qualifications (or equivalent) in Mathematics, English, and a Science or technical subject, with grades A–C.
9. Two additional qualifications at National Level 4 or 5 (or above), with grades A–C.
10. Many of our apprenticeship programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (
What you’ll get
We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career. In addition, you’ll benefit from:
11. Fully funded qualification
12. Personal development training and opportunities
13. Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
14. Competitive pension scheme
15. Employee share scheme
16. Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme and employee shopping savings portal
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.