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Higher apprenticeships

If you’re looking to progress to graduate level in your studies and build up practical work experience using world-class technologies and processes, choose our Higher Apprenticeship.

We’ll provide you with on and off-the-job practical training, a competitive salary and opportunities to progress, either within our Engineering function or in a variety of other disciplines. You’ll achieve at least a Foundation degree, with opportunities to progress to BEng. Throughout, you’ll work alongside some of the best engineers in the world as you continue your professional development towards Chartered status.

Where can you do it?

England

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 £150–£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 also go to college or university (usually on a day-release basis)  to study for nationally-recognised qualifications. For example, Engineering Apprentices will work towards NVQ/SVQs, 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.

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

What can I do and what qualifications do I need?

You’ll need to have already achieved a certain level in your education, regardless of which function you join:

Business area

Civil Engineering, Defence Services, Fans, TS&D, Naval Marine, Purchasing, Manufacturing

Entry Requirements:

GCSE (Grades A*–C) Intermediate 1 A or 2 A-C in Maths (Higher paper), English Language, a relevant Science or Technical subject – but not Combined Science PLUS:

  • A-Level (Grades A* -C) Maths, Physics/Chemistry + 1 other
  • SQA Higher National Diploma
  • Scottish Highers in Maths and Physics (Band A–C)
  • Key/Functional Skills level 3
  • S/NVQs at level 3, level 4 and level 5
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in an Engineering related subject including Further Maths – Merit
  • HNC/HND/SQA Professional Development Award in an engineering-related subject

Description of Roles:

Manufacturing Leadership, Technician, Technologist, Manufacturing Engineer, Service Engineer

Key Skills:

Project Management, analytical, methodical and problem solving

Opportunities:

Higher Apprentices will complete a Foundation Degree then, subject to business sponsorship and requirements, there is a potential to continue on to a Degree and Masters

Potential future roles:

Manufacturing Engineer,Technologist

Business area

Supply Chain Planning and Control and Project Management 
 

Entry Requirements:

GCSE (Grades A*–C) Intermediate 1 A or 2 A-C in Maths (Higher paper), English Language,  a relevant Science or Technical subject – but not Combined Science PLUS: 3 x A-Level (Grades A*–C)

  • SQA Higher National Diploma
  • Scottish Highers in Maths and Physics (Band A–C)
  • Key/Functional Skills level 3
  • S/NVQs at level 3, level 4 and level 5
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in an Engineering related subject including Further Maths – Merit
  • HNC/HND/SQA Professional Development Award in an engineering-related subject

Description of Roles:

Working with the supply chain (internal or external) to ensure parts are delivered on time. You will also develop supply chains, monitor customer orders and schedule programmes.

Key Skills:

Project Management, analytical, methodical and problem solving

Opportunities:

Higher Apprentices will complete a Foundation Degree in Management & Leadership, with opportunities for a BA degree in Management & Leadership at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University.

Potential future roles:

MRPC (Make, Buy or Pre-Prod), Supply Chain Designer, Network Controller, Customer Order Administrator, Scheduler

Higher Apprenticeship : Manufacturing Leadership Programme.

Entry Requirements:

GCSE (Grades A*–C) Intermediate 1 A or 2 A-C in Maths (Higher paper), English Language, a relevant Science or Technical subject – but not Combined Science PLUS:

  • A-Level (Grades A* -C) Maths, Physics/Chemistry + 1 other
  • SQA Higher National Diploma
  • Scottish Highers in Maths and Physics (Band A–C)
  • Key/Functional Skills level 3
  • S/NVQs at level 3, level 4 and level 5
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in an Engineering related subject including Further Maths – Merit
  • HNC/HND/SQA Professional Development Award in an engineering-related subject 

Description of Roles

This Higher Apprenticeship entry scheme is a management development programme leading to early leadership responsibilities in our manufacturing, assembly and repair facilities.

Successful completion of the programme will lead to a varied career experiencing manufacturing leadership roles in factories and facilities producing a wide variety of products – component manufacture, engine assembly and engine repair and overhaul.

The focus of these leadership roles will be to deliver safety, quality, cost and delivery of our products and services by engaging our workforce and continuously improving our methods and processes

Key Skills:

  • Highly Articulate and Numerate
  • Ability and desire to learn quickly
  • A strong drive to achieve and make improvements 
  • Clear demonstration of leadership skills in your personal achievements 
  • Ability to engage people at all levels

Opportunities:

Your training programme will include several six-month business attachments, workshop training,  a Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering and gaining of QCF/NVQ level 4 in Engineering Leadership. There may also be opportunities to study for a Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline at one of the leading universities in the field on manufacturing.

Potential future roles:

Production Leader, Manufacturing Improvement Leader, Manufacturing Services, Team Member roles on projects such as new factory builds and system/process improvements.

Generic information

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. 

Team skills

We’re also very, very keen to take on people who are developing their team skills. 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, Duke of Edinburgh or as part of religious or community activities.  

How to apply:

Once you have decided which apprenticeship is best for you, you will need to find an appropriate vacancy and apply online.