Programme title: Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
Level: 6
Salary:
Year 1: £22,800
Year 2: £25,993
Year 3: £29,186
Year 4: £32,380
Post-apprenticeship salary: £43,343
Location: Leicester
Application closing date: 18th December 2025
Programme start date: September 2026
Be part of shaping the UK’s nuclear future. As an Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering Apprentice at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll combine technical learning with real-world engineering as you help design, build and maintain specialist nuclear facilities. Over 4 years, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and professional experience to kick-start a career that makes a meaningful difference.
About the programme
This is your chance to gain real experience across the entire engineering lifecycle. As an Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineering Apprentice, you’ll rotate through 6-month placements across different areas of our Cavendish Nuclear business. This structure is designed to help you build a well-rounded skillset and explore what excites you most within engineering.
You could be designing control systems for nuclear decommissioning, supporting the infrastructure of the UK’s submarine deterrent, or working on the development of cutting-edge facilities for future nuclear fusion reactors. Your week might involve working with PLCs, SCADA systems, reactor protection, or radiological monitoring equipment.
Throughout, you’ll be supported by experienced engineers and mentors who will help you develop the confidence, communication and technical skills you need to succeed. This programme offers you a chance to contribute to some of the most important and exciting engineering projects in the country.
Your education/training
You will study towards the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship standard through the University of Derby.
Your academic learning will take place at the Nuclear Skills Academy, located in Derby’s newly refurbished iHub building on Infinity Park. This cutting-edge facility serves as the central hub for all apprenticeship programmes and is managed by the University of Derby. The Nuclear Skills Academy is supported by a network of industry and education partners, including the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the National College for Nuclear, and Derby City Council – ensuring your education is grounded in the latest developments and best practices in the field.
The programme is delivered part-time over four years, with three semesters per year in the first three years and two semesters in the final year. As a work-based learning qualification, your apprenticeship integrates both off-the-job and on-the-job training. This structure allows you to apply your academic knowledge directly to your workplace experiences, helping you develop the skills, behaviours, and understanding required to succeed in the industry.
In your final year, you’ll complete an integrated End Point Assessment (EPA), designed to evaluate your readiness for professional practice. By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped with a respected degree and relevant nuclear engineering experience.
Future prospects
By the end of the programme, you will have earned your degree and gained the skills, experience and knowledge to thrive as an Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer at Cavendish Nuclear – with a competitive salary exceeding £43,000.
You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.
What you’ll need
* Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, including Maths, English and Science, plus one of the following:
o 104 UCAS points at A Level including Maths and Physics or another STEM subject at grade C
* BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM in Engineering including Maths units
* Pass Access Course: 104 points including 15 Level 3 credits in Maths and Physics or STEM at Merit
* International Baccalaureate Diploma: 104 points including Higher Level 6 in Maths and Physics or STEM
* T Level: Merit in an engineering T-Level discipline
* IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
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.
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:
* Fully funded qualification
* Personal development training and opportunities
* Minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays
* Competitive pension scheme
* Employee share scheme
* 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.
Your career development
It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Application process and closing dates
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
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