SDA Technical Environmental Degree Apprentice Scheme

About the role :

The Environmental Practitioner (Degree) Apprenticeship is a five-year program starting in September 2025, based at Abbey Wood, Bristol, with training at the University of the West of England (UWE).

You’ll complete a series of work-based technical placements at defence locations, including Abbey Wood, HMNB Portsmouth, Barrow-in-Furness, HMNB Devonport, Rosyth, and HMNB Clyde.

After Year One, you will progress to the next phase following a successful Gateway Interview. Upon completing Year Three and another Gateway Interview, you’ll be offered a permanent contract and proceed to complete your degree, continuing placements across defence.

Upon completion and passing the End Point Assessment, you’ll be appointed to an environmental role within the SDA, with potential relocation to waterfront locations.

Responsibilities :

In this role, you will participate in structured training and gather experience and knowledge through several work-based placements to learn and then apply environmental concepts and principles in a defence environment.

• Complete assigned training to develop environmental skills in a defence context.
• Deliver environmental products / services to meet objectives and contribute to the team and SDA.
• Understand how environmental sections within the Engineering Function operate to support career growth.
• Seek opportunities to gain knowledge and experience for progression as an Environmental Degree Apprentice.
• Support colleagues and actively contribute to team meetings.
• Build and maintain a network of internal contacts for learning and development opportunities.
• Participate in development activities, such as STEM events, to strengthen Engineering Function competencies.

Throughout your scheme you will be supported by your Apprentice Manager and Placement Supervisor to reach your full potential and become a valuable asset to the SDA Engineering Function.

Requirements

Security

Because of the classification of much of the role, all posts will be open to UK Nationals only.

Please note offers of employment are subject to achieving satisfactory pre-employment and security checks. These include an Occupational Health Assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of this you will need to confirm your identity, employment / education history, nationality and any criminal record (unspent convictions only).

The level of security needed is Security Check (SC) and you should usually have been continuously resident in the UK for 5 years immediately before clearance action commences.

If you have lived overseas or travelled extensively during this period, it may affect the length of time to obtain full security clearance and this may affect your offer of employment. It is essential that ALL requests for information are completed fully and timely, as incomplete information may result in significant delays. Offers of employment are also subject to candidates achieving acceptable grades where predicted.

Desirable :

It is beneficial to your application if you can demonstrate the following desirable criteria :

Qualifications :

You must have or will achieve the following predicted grades before August 2025.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,970, the company contributes £7,523 towards you being a member of a Defined Benefit Pension scheme.