This year the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), will offer over 60 apprenticeships across a wide subject area and all our sites. The apprenticeship opportunities provide a broad range of opportunities for those looking to start or advance their career.
An introduction to the scheme
The apprenticeship scheme at STFC provides an excellent training opportunity to equip individuals with the relevant skills and experience for their chosen career path. Alongside working with innovative technologies and world-leading research, apprentices will earn a wage while working first-hand on projects and equipment.
STFC offers apprenticeships across a wide range of areas, including:
- mechanical
- electronic engineering
- software development
- computing
- business administration
- laboratory technician
- digital design
- and much more
An apprenticeship in STEM
The apprenticeship scheme at STFC is open to anyone, whether you have just finished school, thinking of changing your career or seeking a fulfilling alternative to university. You will receive highly tailored training and support from your colleagues and the dedicated apprenticeship team, which will help you succeed in your work and qualifications.
We will provide you with an opportunity to pursue your interests and passions, while learning and earning at the same time. At each of our national laboratories, you will have access to the development of core skills, access to a large community of apprentices, annual apprentice award evenings, an active sporting and social group and the potential opportunity to complete overseas placements.
STFC is known for its world-leading science and innovation and there is no doubt that many of our roles will suit people who are looking for a career in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM). However, we also offer a variety of roles that support the science, including information and communications technology and project management to name a few.
Apprentice inspecting a Van de Graaff generator. Credit: STFC
Gold star apprenticeship scheme
Here at STFC, we are enormously proud of our apprenticeship scheme. We know that our apprentices add real value to the world-leading science and innovation that we do. The STFC apprenticeship scheme has been running for over 25 years. Recently our scheme was awarded gold in the ‘We Invest in Apprentices’ accreditation from Investors in People (IIP). This achievement follows the recognition by the Institute of Physics (IOP) as the Apprentice Employer of the Year in 2020.
In addition to being an award-winning scheme, each year dozens of our apprentices win regional and national awards. These awards include the IOP Technical Skills award and the National Apprenticeship award.
Listening to those who have already done it
Alex Headspith, a Mechanical Design Engineer at Daresbury Laboratory, joined STFC straight out of high school in 2016. He joined STFC as a mechanical engineering apprentice on a four-year scheme. After recently completing this apprenticeship, he has gone on to a degree apprenticeship for a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.
Alex said:
My one piece of advice for those looking for an apprenticeship is to really research what you want to do. Make sure you apply for roles that really interest you. That’s what I did and now I am in a job that I love. I find that having a job you love makes work not feel so much like work, but somewhere I truly want to be.
Cerys Hope, an Associate Project Manager at Daresbury Laboratory, joined STFC in 2021. Cerys started with a level 4 project management apprenticeship, which she has recently completed. Now Cerys is working towards her level 5 and 6-degree apprenticeship in project management.
Cerys said:
Here at STFC, I have found that throughout my apprenticeship, I have always had a good network of people who support me. Whether that’s with the hands-on learning or the support and time away from the site given to complete my apprenticeship learning.
Credit: STFC
Find out more about the apprenticeships offered at STFC.
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Top image: Apprentice displaying a motherboard and recent technological, engineering completed. Credit: STFC