Degree Engineering Apprentice Training

The DE&S Degree Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme exists to train apprentices over a 5 year period involving the attainment of qualifications typical of a Degree level apprenticeship. The intention is to recruit up to 20 apprentices per annum, based at DE&S HQ MOD Abbey Wood, with the final intake finishing in 2024.

There is also an option for further intakes in 2020 & 2021 which will complete in 2025 & 2026. The Apprentices shall be fixed term employees of the MOD.

A Contractor is required to provide a service to deliver academic & vocational training (see below for qualifications), to support & contribute towards the management of Apprentices through 5 years of training. Key services include the Contractor's expert verification & moderation of apprentices' efforts & achievements.

This will include formally verifying individual Apprentice learning logs, conducting NVQ assessments, monitoring progress & providing guidance. Degree Apprentices are currently trained in accordance with the Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer standards & the Authority intends to develop new standards & expand the intake to accommodate other specialist areas, notably weapons, munitions & aerospace.

Phase 1 (Academic Year 1) - The start of an appropriate Foundation Degree in Engineering Basic Engineering Skills BTEC National Diploma Engineering (various) & National Vocational Qualification NVQ L2 Performing Engineering Operations PEO Functional skills Level 2 if required by trailblazer standards. Phase 2 (Academic Years 2 and 3) - Completion of the Foundation Degree Development of engineering & project management skills and NVQ L4 Engineering Manufacturing.

Phase 3 (Academic Years 4 and 5) - Completion of Bachelor's Degree in Engineering linked with defence specific specialised modules delivered by the Authority. All apprentices shall complete Phases 1 & 2 & a decision shall then be made as to whether the Apprentice shall continue to Phase 3.

Not all Apprentices may be taken forward to the degree course. Training & tuition for these qualifications must take place within a reasonable travelling distance of MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol.

NVQ L4 assessment during Phase 2 will be conducted at Abbey Wood & other MOD or Defence Partner locations in the UK. The Contractor is to deal with all administration of the drawdown of any Government subsidies e.g the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) funding &/or work with the Authority in the transfer to any new funding/student loan arrangements that may be imposed by future government regulations or legislation.

It is not yet known how the SFA shall be applied. Candidates must be registered with the SFA.

Other elements of the requirement include: A costed option of a personal developments training course (previously delivered as an outdoor activity week). Companies outside Bristol are should think how they would deliver at the req