Communications Engineering Apprenticeship

Summary

Join Babcock as a Communications Engineering Apprentice and enter the innovative world of IT and communication systems as you build the skills needed for an exciting future in communications engineering.

Annual wage: £24,440 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Radio network technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Friday
35 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 1 September
Duration: 3 years
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

On this 3-year apprenticeship programme, you’ll get to work on all types of communication equipment, IT and computer networks, repairing and restoring vital communication systems and services for our customers.
During this time, you will earn a competitive apprentice wage, gain technical experience in the workplace and obtain academic qualifications.
Working onsite with engineering mentors, you’ll learn about the key components required to provide a robust and reliable communication system, whilst gaining multiple technical skills including:
Fault finding and component replacement
Soldering
Testing and measuring
Equipment maintenance
System set up and maintenance
Equipment calibration

You’ll perform maintenance on communications systems, carry out performance tests, complete fault diagnosis and repair communication systems. You’ll also support in the development of new systems and customer projects, alongside expert communications engineers.

Where you’ll work

Harrogate

HG1 1AA

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE COLLEGES' PARTNERSHIP LIMITED

Your training course

Radio network technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Operate the planning process including selection of appropriate equipment
Select appropriate location as part the planning process
Install or support installation of equipment and termination of cabling
Install, or support the installation, positioning equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, design detail and perform administrative tasks including installation reports and test results
Identify the causes of issues relating to frequency re-use and other noise sources
Prioritise, plan and organise work activity using a methodical approach
Select the right frequency or code planning method for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) in a given scenario
Access and use the appropriate test system
Report faults and use the appropriate escalation process
Collate and input fault data and statements into the fault management system
Rectify faults within own area of control or escalate as appropriate
Utilise tools to review, audit and modify network element parameters
Configure and maintain Internet Protocol (IP) based Radio Frequency (RF) telecommunications network
Gather network performance information and user insight through feedback or user experience
Implement procedures to enhance the performance of the network
Analyse complex data, draw meaningful conclusions and understand commercial impact
Use equipment and technology responsibly and effectively
Locate and apply organisational security polices
Arrange access to sites according to required procedure
Create a written work plan & communicate plan to team members
Use customer feedback to process, prioritise and resolve issues effectively
Work in agile, multi-disciplinary delivery teams, taking a flexible, collaborative and pragmatic approach to delivering tasks
Keep up to date with developments in technologies, trends and innovation using a range of sources
Review own development needs
Operate the planning process including selection of appropriate equipment
Select appropriate location as part the planning process
Install, or support the installation, positioning equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, design detail and perform administrative tasks including installation reports and test results
Identify the causes of issues relating to frequency re-use and other noise sources
Prioritise, plan and organise work activity using a methodical approach
Select the right frequency or code planning method for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) in a given scenario
Access and use the appropriate test system
Report faults and use the appropriate escalation process
Collate and input fault data and statements into the fault management system
Rectify faults within own area of control or escalate as appropriate
Utilise tools to review, audit and modify network element parameters
Configure and maintain Internet Protocol (IP) based Radio Frequency (RF) telecommunications network
Gather network performance information and user insight through feedback or user experience
Implement procedures to enhance the performance of the network
Analyse complex data, draw meaningful conclusions and understand commercial impact
Use equipment and technology responsibly and effectively
Locate and apply organisational security polices
Arrange access to sites according to required procedure
Create a written work plan & communicate plan to team members
Use customer feedback to process, prioritise and resolve issues effectively
Work in agile, multi-disciplinary delivery teams, taking a flexible, collaborative and pragmatic approach to delivering tasks
Keep up to date with developments in technologies, trends and innovation using a range of sources
Review own development needs

Your training plan

As part of the structured training programme, you will gain qualifications that will help you on your way to becoming a qualified Communications Engineer.

You’ll attend formal BTEC training courses every 6 weeks on subjects such as Electronics, Mathematics, Computer Systems and Telecommunications.

During your apprenticeship, you will be focused on completing your Level 3 Radio Network Technician Apprenticeship. You will also work towards gaining a Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Telecommunications and a Level 3 Advanced Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
Any subject (grade 4(C) and above)
English (grade B/6)
Mathematics (grade B/6)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Mathematics (grade C or above)
Science (grade C or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working

Other requirements

Many of our early careers roles are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold may impact which roles you are eligible for. You must be able to achieve BPSS (Baseline security) and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.

About this company

Babcock is an international defence, aerospace and security company operating in our focus countries of the UK, Australasia, Canada, France and South Africa, with exports to additional markets with potential to become focus countries. We meet our customers’ key requirements of affordability, availability, and capability by delivering engineering, support and critical systems to defence and civil markets.

https://earlycareers.babcockinternational.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Fully funded qualification, personal development, training and opportunities, minimum 28 days holiday allowance including bank holidays, competitive pension scheme, employee share scheme, flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successfully completing your apprenticeship, you will become a qualified Communications Engineer; if you're the right candidate for an ongoing role, you will play an integral role within our Communications Engineering team to ensure systems consistently meet required service levels.

As you progress, you will have opportunities to develop your expertise and take on additional responsibilities. This may include advancing to a Senior Communications Engineer role with expanded duties, providing out-of-hours on-call support, or moving into roles such as System Administration or Engineering Management.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: