Building Services Engineer Degree Apprenticeship
Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited · Plymouth · posted 15 October 2026
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- Based at Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, you'll develop the skills and experience needed for a successful career in building services engineering
- As part of the Mechanical Building Services Group, you'll contribute to the design, maintenance and improvement of building services systems, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), cooling, plumbing, compressed air, fire protection and low-carbon energy systems
- Throughout the programme, you'll gain experience across a range of engineering activities, from design and technical analysis through to maintenance and operational support. As your skills develop, you'll contribute to engineering calculations, technical documentation and project delivery
- You'll also build an understanding of engineering standards, legislation and compliance requirements, helping to ensure systems are safe, reliable and fit for purpose in a highly regulated environment
Your training
As part of your apprenticeship, you'll study for a BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering degree through the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
Delivered through day-release study at UWE Bristol, the degree covers topics including construction technology, environmental physics, building services design, sustainability, energy management, procurement and contract practice, mechanical services, and building performance evaluation.
Alongside your studies, you'll complete placements across engineering teams at Devonport, applying your learning to real projects while benefiting from dedicated technical training, mentoring and support from experienced engineers.
You'll need to be able to work on site at Devonport for a minimum of three days per week and live within a reasonable commuting distance. As part of the programme, you'll attend UWE Bristol for one day each week on a day-release basis during term time.
Where it leads
By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll be equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress into a Mechanical Building Services Engineer role within the Mechanical Building Services Group at Devonport.
You’ll also have the opportunity to build on your progress toward professional registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, a recognised benchmark of engineering competence, which can support your journey into more advanced roles, such as Senior Engineer.
As a global organisation, Babcock provides countless opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. To support your growth, we’ve introduced the Babcock Role Framework, which outlines roles, career pathways, and development opportunities. With every job mapped to these frameworks, you’ll have a transparent view of the steps needed to reach Senior Engineer and beyond.
About Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited
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.
Things to consider
Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme Information (NNPPI) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
Under applicable national security legislation, this post may only be occupied by a sole UK national. This legal requirement is independent of our recruitment policies, and all eligible applicants will be assessed fairly and without discrimination.
Skills they're looking for
Entry requirements
- A Level Any Subject (grade C) — essential
- A Level Maths (grade C) — essential
- A Level STEM (science, technology, engineering or maths) (grade C) — essential
Where you'll work
- Devonport Royal Dockyard, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4SG
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