As a Technician Scientist (Chemistry) Apprentice at AWE, you will start with an induction in the Skills Academy. After this, you will join laboratory teams at our Aldermaston and Burghfield sites, where you will learn practical skills and gain experience in a real working environment. You will be placed in one of the following areas: Warhead and Deterrence Materials Science, where you could support research, testing and analysis of different materials, from warhead components to environmental samples; or Warhead Engineering, where you could support work linked to product design, prototyping, engineering analysis, systems integration, testing and checking that products meet the right requirements. You would work alongside engineers from areas such as electronics, mechanical engineering, systems, materials and chemical engineering.

You will learn skills such as: Laboratory safety, Handling hazardous substances safely including awareness of radioactive and explosive materials, How quality standards are used in a laboratory environment, Customer service skills, Use of laboratory equipment, Preparation of substances, Sample preparation, Analysis of samples, Data handling, Checking and reporting of results. You will also have opportunities to develop personally through activities such as team-building challenges, organisational awareness presentations, health and safety workshops and charity projects.

A starting salary of £24,500 yearly, increasing to £26,000 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones. Market leading contributory pension scheme. Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE's flexible working pattern. Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure. Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

We're a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK's independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science.