Project Controls Apprenticeship

As a Project Controls Apprentice at AWE, you will help project teams plan, monitor and deliver important work across the business. You’ll build your skills while learning what project controls involves and where your interests could take you. During the apprenticeship, you could support major programmes, infrastructure projects and other teams that help AWE operate effectively. You’ll work with experienced colleagues, build strong working relationships and learn how projects are planned, tracked and kept on course.

In simple terms, project controls is about helping a project stay on track. This could include supporting with project plans, schedules, costs, risks, changes and reporting, so teams understand what needs to happen, when it needs to happen and whether anything needs attention.

As you move through different placements around the business, you will learn about areas such as:

• How large projects are broken down into smaller parts, including people, work and costs
• Creating and checking project schedules, including estimating how long tasks may take
• Setting and maintaining project baselines, which are the agreed plans used to track progress
• Measuring how well a project is progressing against the plan
• Regular reporting, including helping teams understand monthly progress updates
• Cost forecasting, which means helping estimate how much a project may cost in the future
• Understanding differences between the plan and what is actually happening
• Supporting project changes and understanding their impact on time, cost and delivery
• Using data and statistics to support project decisions
• Using technical information, including engineering drawings, to support project planning
• Estimating the time, cost and resources needed for project activities

You’ll start with an induction to help you understand AWE and the work we do. You’ll then move into your first project placement, where you’ll begin applying your skills in a real working environment. You’ll be supported by placement mentors and experienced colleagues while also studying towards your degree-level apprenticeship.

When you complete your apprenticeship, you could move into a Project Controls Practitioner role, supporting project teams to plan, monitor and deliver important work. You will be contributing to projects and programmes that play a vital role in keeping the UK safe and secure. You’ll be part of a team, managing schedules, costs, and risks on programmes that have lasting national significance.

We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.

Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that’s just part of the story.

We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.

Be extraordinary at AWE.

• Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counterterrorism

Start Date: 1st September 2027.

Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.

These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process. All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.

Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 1 April 2027.