Programme title: Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Craftsperson Apprenticeship
Level: 3
Salary: £16,855, rising annually to £34,697 post-apprenticeship
Location: Sellafield, Cumbria
Application closing date: March 2025
Programme start date: September 2025
Role ID: 60313
Looking for a career where innovation meets practical expertise? With our 4-year Electrical, Control, and Instrumentation (EC&I) Craftsperson Apprenticeship programme, you’ll immerse yourself in a world that blends technical mastery with creative problem-solving.
About the programme
Here at Sellafield in Cumbria, we’re building a clean and safe environment for future generations. Our talented and dedicated EC&I teams play a crucial role in helping us to achieve this mission. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of key operational instruments, our EC&I Craftspersons sit across two teams:
Monitor Round Team: Maintaining IRPI (Installed Radiological Protection Instruments) within the Sellafield plant, this team ensure operational efficiency. Where necessary they carry out first-line repairs or send the equipment to the Workshop Team for further attention, including electronic repairs down to component level. Workshop Team: Working on equipment sent to them by the Monitor Round Team, this team carry out second-line maintenance and repairs down to component level on essential Sellafield radiological protection equipment and work with brand new instrumentation that hasn’t been commissioned yet. HPIC Workshop: Working on PRPI (Portable Radiological Protection Instruments) setup and repairs down to component level on a range of handheld instruments utilised by Sellafield health physics.
As an EC&I Craftsperson Apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside both teams, learning from their expertise, and gaining the practical experience you need to become a fully qualified EC&I Craftsperson by the end of year 4.
Your education/training
You’ll receive both practical and theoretical training in addition to the on-site training you receive at Sellafield.
At Lakes College, you'll work towards a Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) Apprenticeship standard, gaining the qualifications, skills, and experience essential for a successful career in the nuclear sector.
For the first 12 months, you’ll be based at Lakes College. After this, you'll transition to working at the Sellafield site, with weekly day-release sessions back at Lakes College to continue your academic training.
What you’ll need
A minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above in subjects including Maths, English Language, Science, and/or a technical subject such as Design Technology. A genuine interest in engineering and the operational functions of nuclear energy. 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 or have held may impact which roles you are eligible for. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). For our early careers roles, you must be able to achieve BPSS and many of them require you to be eligible for Security Clearance.
For this early careers role, you must be able to achieve Security Clearance and may be required to achieve Developed Vetting clearance.
What you’ll get
We’ll provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career.
In addition, you’ll benefit from:
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 and employee shopping savings portal
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities, which our apprentices find incredibly rewarding.
Your career development
It’s hard to beat the variety of fantastic opportunities and business experiences you’ll receive. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career.
Plus, when you join us, you’ll be automatically enrolled onto our Apprentice Development Programme. Through a series of digital and face to face sessions, presented by wellbeing and performance experts and our external partners, we will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive and perform at your very best on your programme and beyond.
Closing dates
Please be aware that if there is a high level of interest in this programme, applications may close earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered for a place on this programme, please submit your application as early as possible.