Bolton
Manufacturing Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship 2025
Salary: £18,000 plus a £3000 joining bonus.
Work Location: MBDA Stevenage or MBDA Bolton
Learning Provider Location: MK College (for Stevenage) and Wigan & Leigh College (for Bolton)
Working pattern:
This is a hands on role and as such, the majority of your work will be conducted on site. Our Bolton site operate shift patterns. In order to maximise time working with experienced team members in the manufacturing facilities, you may be expected to start as early as 7am on a regular basis. There is the opportunity for an early finish on a Friday (college dependant).
Security clearance:
British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship.
Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.
Closing date for this role is midnight on Friday 24th January
The opportunity:
Manufacturing consists of the Assembly, Integration and Test of all our products for the company. The products we make are delivered directly to the customer/end user and therefore Manufacturing are vital to the delivery aspects of MBDA's business.
Integral to the build of each and every one of our range of products are our Operations community. They work with our Engineers to deliver on our commitment to our customers. They maintain the integrity of each and every one of our builds through the specialist work they do.
You will be part of a team of operations personnel in a fast-paced but friendly and inclusive manufacturing environment. The team has a great mix of personnel, all striving to deliver technical excellence and maintain product output.
This opportunity would suit anyone that has a keen interest in how things work and is looking to learn and shape a career around a practical skill. We are looking for someone with a love for hands-on work, who wants to contribute to the delivery of our products. Further opportunities during the completion of your apprenticeship may lead to more specialist roles, such as electro-mechanical dual skilling, and you could even end up leading a team!
Our Manufacturing Operator Apprentices are the future of our Manufacturing facility. We are working to build a flexible pool of Operators - and you could be part of this.
Programme structure:
In Bolton, during your first year you'll complete your initial training within our Manufacturing Operations Training Facility, before moving directly into your manufacturing placements, whilst studying 1 day per week at Wigan and Leigh College.
In Stevenage, from the beginning you'll study at Milton Keynes College (the Milton Keynes campus), one day per week. The remainder of your working week will be either onsite or a blend of onsite/offsite working, experiencing different placements and putting in to practice the practical skills you've been learning.
You'll get to experience the following placements, to name a few:
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Printed Electrical Circuit Manufacturing
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Clean Room Assembly Processes
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Cable Manufacturing
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Missile Assembly, Integration and Test
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Calibration & Maintenance
On this 4 year Apprenticeship you will follow the Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship Standard which aligns with IET EngTech professional recognition.
Find more details about the Apprenticeship standard here: https://apprenticeship-standards/engineering-fitter/
What we're looking for from you:
This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered.
Our company:
MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom.
What we can offer you:
- Fully funded qualification starting September 2025
- Paid travel expenses to and from your place of study
- Annual pay reviews
- 25 days annual leave (plus holiday purchase) and up to 15 days flexi leave
- Study leave during exam periods
We respect new perspectives and experiences, and we value our collaborative ways of working. We are committed to growing and supporting diversity in our workforce and ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their potential. MBDA is proud of our employee-led networks including Gender Equality, Pride, Neurodiversity, Ethnic Diversity, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers and Armed Forces.
We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.
Follow us on LinkedIn (MBDA), X (@MBDA_UK), Instagram (MBDA_UK) and Glassdoor or visit our MBDA Careers website for more information.
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