Advanced/Modern apprenticeships
Combining classroom study with on-the-job learning, our Advanced/Modern Apprenticeships provide a genuine alternative to university, providing the foundations for a career in engineering. They offer the training, guidance and support you need to develop valuable skills, earn sought-after qualifications and establish yourself in your chosen career. Usually lasting three and a half years, they enable you to complete an Advanced Apprenticeship in England or a Modern Apprenticeship in Scotland.
Please note: We have a number of opening and closing dates for applications depending on the site. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for details.
Your options:
We offer three kinds of Advanced/Modern Apprenticeships for you to choose from:
Practical Apprenticeships
If you want to be hands on, building, testing, fixing and operating equipment, our Practical Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship is for you. From the start, you’ll work on state-of-the-art components, machinery and technologies. Guided and supported by some of the most advanced engineers in the world, this is a genuine alternative to university. This Apprenticeship generally lasts 3½ years.
Technical Apprenticeships
Are you fascinated by the theoretical side of engineering? Are you a natural problem-solver? Do you want to be part of something big? If so, a Technical Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship is a real alternative to university. You’ll spend most of your time on a computer, developing investigative and problem-solving skills. By the end, you’ll be ready to take on some of the world’s toughest technical challenges with the confidence that comes with having trained with the best. This Apprenticeship generally lasts 3½ years.
Specialist Science Apprenticeship
Are you interested in learning how to apply the laws of physics, chemistry, engineering and maths to real world situations? Do you want to work in some of the world’s premier laboratories developing new chemical processes, inspections (x-ray, ultrasonic etc) and enhancing your forensic analytical skills to figure out why parts have failed? Do you want to understand the why, what and how we manufacture our parts and develop new materials to survive the hostile environments of a gas turbine engine? Then this Science Apprenticeship is the role for you. The Apprenticeship usually takes 3½ years to complete and after Year 1, you will have the potential to obtain your BSc(Hons) degree. Your time will be equally spent in offices and laboratories, blending theory with practical skills.
You can compare your options below:
Where can you do it?
UK, Germany and Nordics
How will you benefit?
Get paid
At Rolls-Royce, as well as training you for a well-paid career, we’ll pay you a competitive salary from day one of your Apprenticeship. How much depends on your role and location, but you’ll start on between £140–£180 per week. By your third year, that could go up to £250–£290 per week.
From the moment you join Rolls-Royce, you’ll be a valuable member of the team and we’ll make sure your work is well-rewarded.
Get qualified
Throughout your Apprenticeship, you’ll go to college to study for nationally-recognised qualifications, for example, NVQ/SVQs Level 3, among other qualifications. You may also be able to continue study beyond your apprenticeship for more advanced qualifications like an HNC, HND or Foundation degree dependant on business requirements.
Get experienced
All our apprentices go on our Outward Bound Professional Programme to help develop some of the other important skills you’ll need at Rolls-Royce. Through exciting, fast-paced activities outdoors and in the classroom you’ll improve your teamwork, self-confidence and communication skills. You’ll push yourself in new and different ways. And your experiences mean you’ll come back to work an even stronger member of our team.
Consider the benefits
- Do a real job in an advanced engineering business
- Learn alongside world-class engineers
- Earn valuable qualifications
- Get paid a real wage
- Get career support from day one
Who are we looking for and what qualifications do you need?
Qualifications
Our apprenticeships involve a fair amount of academic work. For that reason, we’ll need you to have already achieved a certain level in your education.
Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship – Practical (UK)
- GCSE (Grades A*–D) in Maths, English Language and a Science subject i.e. Physics or Chemistry plus 1 other technical subject.
- Scottish Standard (Grades 1–3) in Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- Scottish Intermediate 1 (Band A) Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- Scottish Intermediate 2 (Band A–C) Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- SQA National Certificate
Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship – Technical (UK)
- GCSE (Grades A*–C) in Maths (Higher paper), English Language and a Science subject i.e. Physics or Chemistry plus 1 other subject
- Scottish Standard (Grades 1–3) in Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- Scottish Intermediate 1 (Band A) Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- Scottish Intermediate 2 (Band A–C) Maths, English, Physics or Chemistry or a technical subject
- SQA National Certificate
- Scottish Highers in Maths and Physics (Band A–C)
Enthusiasm
Beyond your academic qualifications, we’ll be looking for evidence that you are genuinely interested in and enthusiastic about developing a career in your chosen area.
For instance, we’d like to hear about how you like to tinker with cars, bicycles or motorbikes; or about an engineering project you’ve done at school; or an engineering club you’ve been involved with. Whatever it is, we need to know you’ve thought things through and are fairly sure that this career is right for you.
Team skills
We’re also very, very keen to take on people who love working as a team. Because, despite the size of our company, we all enjoy working with other people. So, we’ll be interested in how you’ve worked in a group, whether that’s at school, with your family, in a sports team, at work, in voluntary organisations, such as the Guides,Scouts or Cadets, or as part of religious or community activities.
How to apply:
Once you have decided whether you’d like to do a practical or technical apprenticeship, you need to find an appropriate vacancy and apply online.
Opening and closing dates for applications:
- Derby: Open, closes 21 February 2013
- Hucknall: Closed
- Rotherham: Closed
- Bristol: Open, closes 15 February 2013
- Ansty: Open, closes 8 February 2013
- Barnoldswick: Open, closes 22 February 2013
- Inchinnan: Opens 28 January 2013, closes 22 February 2013
- Dounreay: Open, closes 8 March 2013
- Sunderland: Opens 4 February 2013, closes 15 March 2013









