Defence Nuclear Organisation Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship Abbey Wood Bristol
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 7th October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Apprenticeship
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Health and Safety
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security? Then this Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship programme could be the opportunity you are looking for!
Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.
The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (all the organisations, programmes and people that sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.
The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry.
Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.
Job description
You will require an eagerness to learn, an inquisitive mind with a logical approach to problem solving, be self-motivated and have the ability to learn from practical and theoretical studies. The programme requires dedication from you to complete the 5-year apprenticeship scheme and acquire a level 6 degree qualification. If this sounds like you, then we want to hear from you!
The Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is made up of several government and industry organisations, these form part of the Ministry of Defence that sustains the UK’s nuclear deterrent. This includes the organisations, programmes, and people within government and industry that help deliver the UK’s nuclear capability.
The course
The Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Level 6 Professional Degree (BEng) Apprenticeship which focuses on the Safety pathway within the Engineering function. The course is run by The University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Off the job learning will occur on a block release basis. This means that you’ll reside at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, in Swansea approximately three and a half months each year. Typically, these learning blocks are 5 to 10 workings days split over the course of each academic year. The first block, starting in January 2025 will be much longer and dates will be confirmed at on boarding stage. For more information, please see attached candidate pack. The university course link can be found below:
Apprenticeship in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) , The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (uwtsd.ac.uk)
You can find more information in the attached candidate pack.
This programme is recognised and accredited by the Institute of Explosives Engineers (IExpE). You will be registered as student members of the IExpE during your apprenticeship and on completion you will gain professional registration with IExpE.
Person specification
As an Ordnance Munitions and Explosives (OME) Safety Case apprentice, your role will be split between course work in support of your BEng Degree qualification, which is funded by the MOD, and on the job training as part of your professional development. Working with experienced professionals from a high hazard engineering environment will enable you to develop the technical skills and behaviours required for your career. As you develop, we will give you the opportunity to work on, and build the following skills:
- Support projects being taken forward by our team of safety professionals, this will be during work-based placements across the UK
- Write and analyse technical documents
- Attend a range of sites and relevant conferences and events
- Learn about and evidence the knowledge skills and behaviours required for the safety pathway
Person specification:
- You will need to be willing to work hard on a L6 degree programme, attend university in Swansea and pass coursework and exams.
- You will need to be able to learn to write technical documents, focusing on finer details which are required within safety
- You will be willing to travel and stay overnight for both university and placements across the UK
- You will be confident in networking and speaking to new people
- You will be willing to learn to present and lead In front of groups of people
- You will be willing to spend time on university work outside of university blocks
Post location
Posts will be available in MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol which will be your permanent duty station during the scheme. There will also be an opportunity for work-based training placements in various MOD, military and industry establishments across the UK that focus on nuclear safety. Some placements require full time attendance onsite/in office, other placements may have hybrid working.
We cover the costs of accommodation, travel, and subsistence for detached duty, which is when you are away from your permanent duty station. It’s not a problem if you don’t drive as most establishments can access public transport.
Supported learning
We, as the Early Careers team, will support you throughout your time with us. You’ll be assigned a mentor that will help you to improve your knowledge and understanding of the wider DNE and MOD business. You will also be supported throughout your programme by an Apprentice Liaison Officer, a specialist within the sector, who will visit the workplace regularly, providing the link between the academic studies and workplace learning, and addressing any issues that may arise during the programme.
Travel
You will be expected travel regularly across the UK throughout the 5-year scheme for completion of academic studies, work placements, familiarisation visits and apprenticeship events with accommodation, travel and subsistence, away from your duty station, being met by the MOD in line with the relevant policy and guidance.
Salary
Current starting salary is £24,985 at AO level.
At the 3 year point on-scheme there is a regrading process. As part of the regrading process, we will assess your suitability to continue with the final phase of the apprenticeship scheme and suitability to regrade to Grade D/EO.
Contracted Hours
Your contracted hours will be 37 hours per week, although some additional study will be required in your own time to complete the academic part of the apprenticeship. You will be supported with continuing professional development to maintain your skills and professional accreditations.
You must have the right of abode in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Please note this is a development scheme and candidates with higher level qualifications in Engineering may not be eligible. All vocational and academic qualifications held or in progress must be declared.
Qualifications
5 GCSE’s (Five National 5 qualifications) Grade 4 (Grade C) or above
Mandatory subjects: Maths, English Language
Desirable subjects: Any Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) or technology-based subject
And
2 A Levels (Two Scottish Highers) Grade C or above
Desirable subjects: Any STEM or technology-based subject
You will be required to provide evidence of your certificates at on boarding stage.
Please see the guide for acceptable equivalents – What qualification levels mean: England, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-level) and (https://scqf.org.uk/media/e5pjypw4/qccb-web-oct-2019.pdf) for Scotland.
Evidence of the above qualifications will be required as part of your pre-employment checks before a formal offer can be made.
If successful you will be asked to provide evidence that you meet the stated qualification criteria
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Developing Self and Others
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
We truly believe that the MOD is a great place to work, and we offer a unique employee experience. We want to ensure that every single employee feels appreciated & fairly rewarded and offer the following additional benefits:
- Learning and development tailored to your role and broader skill development, enabling you to build a long-term career in your chosen area. Where appropriate there will be offers of training under our apprenticeship schemes.
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- On-site Gym
- Cycle Loan (Advance on Salary)
- Thank You Scheme
- Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA)
- Defence Discount Service
- On-site Nursery
Discover My Benefits
Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.
https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
Please note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button.
Stage 1: Fill in your first stage short application form where you will be required to fill in details of your eligibility including details of your nationality and contact details.
Stage 2: Complete the full application form which will include:
- Details of any qualifications and expected grades where appropriate,
- A personal statement (up to 1000 words) telling us why this apprenticeship programme is of interest to you, details of any hobbies or external interests which will support your application,
- Your behaviour (competency) statements (up to 250 words each). The STAR (Situation, Task, Action and Result) format is the preferred format, for more information take a look at The STAR method , National Careers Service
Please allow sufficient time to complete these details before the closing date. Use the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for each Behaviour requested within the application.
Stage 3: Your application be taken forward to the sifting stage.
Stage 4: Bench marking will take place as part of the sifting stage, with successfully sifted candidates (in merit order) being invited to an interview. Interviews are anticipated to take place in September 2024 and will include:
- Behaviour (competency) questions. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action and Result) format is the preferred format. The STAR method , National Careers Service
- 10 minute presentation, subject will be provided once you are invited to interview.
Stage 5: You will be invited to undertake an online essential skills test which is provided by our training provider and they will contact you providing the test information required. Your contact details (together with any reasonable adjustment documentation associated with candidates applying via Disability Confident Scheme) will be passed onto the training provider who have strict protocols in place around the handling of data.
Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift and interview*
Successful candidates who are offered a place on the apprenticeship scheme are subject to acquiring satisfactory grades, references, security and health checks.
You will be required to achieve SC clearance initially, and then you will be expected to achieve Developed Vetting clearance immediately after, this is above the normal clearance level expected for the MoD. You’ll be required to provide proof of UK nationality as part of the pre-employment checks. Initially you will be taken at risk of DV, If you do do not clear DV checks you will be ineligible for the job.
Please note offers of employment are subject to achieving satisfactory pre-employment and security checks. These include an Occupational Health Assessment and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). As part of this you will need to confirm your identity, employment/education history, nationality and any criminal record (unspent convictions only).
The level of security needed is Security Check (SC) and you should usually have been continuously resident in the UK for 5 years immediately before clearance action commences. If you have lived overseas or travelled extensively during this period, it may affect the length of time to obtain full security clearance and this may affect your offer of employment. It is essential that ALL requests for information are completed fully and timely, as incomplete information may result in significant delays. Offers of employment are also subject to candidates achieving acceptable grades where predicted.
When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.
If you are a permanent MoD civil servant and are found successful for an advertised Fixed-term Appointment (FTA) you should move into the post under a Temporary Transfer for up to a maximum of 23 months. At the end of the posting, you will return to your previous MoD Business area. If this posting is at a higher grade, your promotion will be temporary, and you will return to your substantive grade at the end of the Temporary Transfer. If a Temporary Transfer cannot be agreed between all parties, then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA and Change of Work Location in the UK policy for further information.
If you are transferring to MoD from another government department (OGD) you should join the MoD on an inward loan. At the end of the loan, you will return to your home (OGD) department. If a loan cannot be agreed between all parties, then a transfer on an FTA contract is possible, read the FTA policy for further information.
Please view attached - "Further Information for Candidates" for Nationality Requirements
No application can be accepted after the closing date.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DNO DNE Talent Team
- Email : dno-dne-talent@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-AMO@mod.gov.uk
Further information
Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.
Some of MoD’s Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) changed from 3 February 2014. Those TACOS changes applied to Broader Banded and Skill Zone staff who were new recruits to MoD or who were appointed to a post on substantive promotion, progression or advancement. On the same basis, the TACOS for Departmental Retained Grades changed with effect from 01 September 2014.
All employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Complaints
Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS do not play any part in the selection and interview process.
Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.
If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint. by writing to DBS at the following address:
Complaints Management Team, Defence Business Services, Oak Building Mail Point #6109, MOD Abbey Wood North, Bristol, BS34 8QW
If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:
Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ
Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk
Cabinet Office Fraud Checks
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment
Civil Service Recruitment Principles
Please see the link below for the civil service recruitment principles.
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/
To find out a bit more about what it’s like working for MOD, visit the Civil Service Careers Website
https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-ministry-of-defence/
Please see the MOD Privacy Notice link below which describes how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-privacy-notice/mod-privacy-notice
