Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprentice

Company Background

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security? What if that energy source could also help reduce climate change? We believe that’s fusion energy. Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK. We are taking established science and building on it by pioneering the use of spherical tokamaks in conjunction with high temperature superconducting magnets.

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, currently employs a growing team of over 250 people with talent from the UK and around the world including expert scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities. The company has more than 55 families of patent applications and has raised over £100m of private investment.

Once realised, fusion energy will be a key enabler for meeting world energy requirements and climate policy goals. Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team who are striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable energy for all.

Overview of the role

As a Tokamak Energy L3 Engineering Technician Apprentice you will have the opportunity to work across all of our technical delivery teams under the guidance and support of our highly skilled and experienced team members.

A majority of the first year will be spent offsite at Oxford Advanced Skills (OAS), our chosen training provider based in Culham. During this time you will learn a breadth of engineering skills required for the workplace.

The L3 apprenticeship qualification will cover the following content:

• Health and safety in the engineering environment
• Engineering mathematics
• Engineering principles
• Design and CAD
• Project skills engineering manufacturing skills – hand fitting, milling and turning
• Mechanical maintenance and assembly
• Fluid maintenance and assembly
• Electrical systems instrumentation including PLC
• Robotics

Tokamak Energy employs world leading experts in support of its mission, offering a fantastic learning environment to help you to get the best start to your working career.

You will have dedicated support from our team throughout your apprenticeship who will visit you on a regular basis and also arrange for you to come and meet our team onsite at Milton Park during your first year. During years two, three and four you will be given a training programme consisting of a series of placements where you will have the opportunity to apply your skills and learning across a variety of disciplines including; manufacturing and testing high temperature superconducting magnets, tokamak building/modifications and upgrades, industrial control and automation systems, diagnostic and Instrumentation equipment manufacturing and Installation, vacuum systems, as well as other new and exciting emerging technologies.

Tokamak Energy strongly believes in building a high standard of in-house capability, starting with our apprentices. Through our apprenticeship scheme you will have the opportunity to work across a number of our diverse teams including; the machine shop, electrical engineering, high temperature super conductor, alternative technology, divertor and site services. We offer the combination of a research and development, maintenance and manufacturing environment for you to work within, through this you will experience working in a delivery focused and innovative workplace. You will have the opportunity to grow in confidence, learn to work as part of a team and solve problems on a daily basis.

Assessments

The course will take four years to complete with the following stages of assessment:

Year 1
Level 2 Practical Skills development, with a practical gateway assessment to year two.

Year 2-4
An academic diploma assessed by tests and assignments.

Year 2-4
NVQ assessment of work-based development.

In the final stage, there will be an ‘end point assessment’ conducted through an interview.

What qualifications will you receive through completion of the apprenticeship?

• Level 2 Diploma in ‘Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (Foundation competence)’
• Successful completion of the ‘Foundation Phase Gateway Assessment’
• Level 3 Diploma in ‘Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)’
• Level 3 Diploma in ‘Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Product Design and Development Technician (Development Competence)’

OR

• Level 3 Diploma in ‘Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (Development Competence)’
• Successful completion of an ‘End Point Assessment’, leading to professional recognition by a relevant Engineering Institution

At the end of the apprenticeship you will be in a position to apply for Engineering Technician status.

Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties (supported with specific training)

• Working at height
• Manual handling
• Working in confined spaces
• Working with chemicals

A series of in-house and external training may include:

• Cryogenic
• Electrical Safety
• Abrasive wheel training
• Crane training
• Safety systems
• Health and safety

Requirements

Requirements and attributes:

• Possession of 5 GCSE grades A*- C or grades 4 – 9 in subjects including Maths, Science and English
• A responsible attitude
• Enthusiasm for science and engineering
• Reliability
• Work well under pressure
• Working effectively with others
• Good IT skills
• Commitment to safety
• Effective written and oral communicating
• Good decision-making and problem-solving ability
• Effective planning and organising skills
• Good attention to detail

Benefits

At Tokamak Energy not only do we offer competitive salaries, we also recognise the value and needs of our people by creating a warm, inclusive and welcoming environment.

We expect the best from our people and are committed to supporting them to be the best they can be. Whether you spend your lunchtime getting involved in a wellbeing walk, a get together with colleagues for board games, or just catch up in one of our friendly kitchen/communal areas for coffee and complimentary snacks, at Tokamak Energy we really encourage you to look after yourself.

Where a role allows, we offer hybrid working and a flexible approach to working hours within our core hours. We value each individual employee and invest in training and development, aiming to support career progression across the different areas of the business. We also encourage attendance at conferences and for our employees to write and publish papers. We recognise and value the multiple routes for progression and development offer both our team and the business.

Tokamak Energy offer 25 days of annual leave.