Electrical Technician Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: 19514 per annum(rising annually throughout the apprenticeship)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term 48 months
Hours: Full-time 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Campus Didcot OX11 0QX
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd February 2026
Interview Date: Feb 2026 / Mar 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Are you passionate about how things work and love solving technical problems Were looking for enthusiastic and curious individuals whore eager to kick-start their career in engineering. Whether youre fascinated by machines electronics design or innovation this apprenticeship offers the perfect opportunity to turn your passion into a profession.

Youll gain hands-on experience work alongside experienced engineers and develop the skills needed to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding industry. If youre ready to build the futureone project at a timewe want to hear from you!

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

Were looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals ready to develop their skills through formal training and hands-on experience. As an apprentice youll gain real-world experience build technical and professional skills and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation in a dynamic supportive environment.

Youll be fully supported throughout the programme with regular check-ins from a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator structured training practical experience and mentorship from industry professionals. Plus youll have access to workshops a peer network and career development support helping you feel confident and prepared for new challenges.

Why join the Access Controls and Instrumentation Team at STFC

Within the Electrical Services Group at ISIS our Access Controls and Instrumentation team is a friendly supportive group that values collaboration and learning. Were proud to have apprentices as part of our teamtypically 4 or 5 at any timeso youll be in great company.

Our work is varied and exciting. You could be wiring a simple control panel one day and helping to build a multi-rack system that controls and monitors huge sections of the ISIS machine the next. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience learn from experts and contribute to cutting-edge science.

Qualifications gained

Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Single Discipline

Engineering maintenance technician - single discipline / Skills England

What youll learn

• To work safely in an engineering environment.
• To follow safety procedures and regulations.
• Technical skills to fulfil your role.
• To perform planned preventative and reactive maintenance on a wide range of equipment.
• How to collaborate with engineers technicians and stakeholders
• Assist in completing jobs to required standards and maintaining accurate records.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities and sustainability practices.

Training provider

Through the training provider Oxfordshire Advanced Skills you will undertake a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship which will include:

• Year 1: You will be based at the Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) Culham rotating through blocks of 4-6 weeks in duration. This will be supplemented with training relevant to STFC and giving a broad engineering foundation delivered by STFC staff in conjunction with UKAEA at the OAS site in Culham.
• Year 2: You will be based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with training in 46-week blocks at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) at Culham across the year.
• Years 3-4: You will be fully in the workplace where you will further hone your skills to become an Electrical Technician.

You will be required to attend OAS as required as part of your training; you must therefore be willing and able to travel independently. Excess travel costs will be covered.

For more information about the training provider please visit:Level 3 Apprenticeships OAS.

What Youll Be Doing Day-to-day responsibilities

• Completea prescribed program of training to be conducted at ISIS within STFC.
• Building assembling and installing control panels racks and systems.
• Cable assembly including soldering and crimping.
• Being part of a team maintaining various access control systems including secure entry CCTV and public address systems.
• As an STFC Apprentice you will communicate with staff across STFC at all levels. You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own. You will also have contact throughout your apprenticeship with college tutors and visitors to site.
• Champion the ISIS Electrical Services Group in a positive manner.
• Deliver a high level of customer service.
• Attend appropriate additional training to support the role and service delivery.

Entry Requirements

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

We are looking for the following:

• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English (Grade 4/C or above) (S)
• An awareness of basic health and safety (I)
• Enthusiastic and motivated to learn both in the workplace and through formal training (I)
• An interest in science and engineering. (S&I)
• Good problem-solving skills(I)
• A basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical principles. (I)
• Self-motivated willing to undertake the work required in the workplace and at college. (S&I)
• An interest in practical subjects and activities. (S&I)

Important Information

• To complete the apprenticeship you will need to evidence 5 GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C (or equivalent) including Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2026 we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
• When applying for an apprenticeship there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. To check your eligibility please click here.
• The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include as an attachment your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered. By applying for this apprenticeship you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider.

We will be in touch after the closing date however please reach out on if you have any questions.

Employee Benefits

• Your salary will increase annually as you progress through your apprenticeship in line with policy.
• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

For a list of our full benefits please visithere.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: to apply

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together our scientists technologists engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europes largest research organisations by your side Join us and discover whats possible!