Materials Engineering Degree Apprenticeship: A Pathway to Innovation at Rolls-Royce

Embark on a transformative career journey with Rolls-Royce by exploring their Materials Engineering Degree Apprenticeship opportunity. This four-year program offers a unique blend of academic study and hands-on experience, positioning you at the forefront of innovation in a company that has profoundly shaped the modern world and continues to drive progress in powering, protecting, and connecting people globally. If you're driven by a passion for materials science and aspire to contribute to world-class solutions, this apprenticeship is an exceptional avenue to consider for your career path.

Why This Apprenticeship Stands Out:

• Pioneering Industry Leader: Join a company renowned for its commitment to progress and innovation. Rolls-Royce is at the cutting edge of developing technologies that power critical systems, where safety and reliability are paramount. This apprenticeship places you within an organization that designs, builds, and services vital technologies worldwide.
• Comprehensive Development: This isn't just a job; it's a structured development program. Over four years, you'll engage in a variety of placements across materials and manufacturing, gaining practical experience in diverse processes such as additive layer manufacturing, investment casting, welding, heat treatments, and various chemical processes.
• Cutting-Edge Facilities: You'll have the opportunity to work with advanced laboratory equipment, from initial component preparation to sophisticated tools like scanning electron microscopes. This exposure will provide invaluable practical skills and insights into material analysis.
• Holistic Learning Experience: The program expertly balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. You will be undertaking a formal degree in a Materials discipline while simultaneously working in offices, laboratories, manufacturing sites, and at university. This rotational approach ensures a broad understanding and well-rounded development.
• Diverse Engineering Exposure: As a Materials Engineering Apprentice, you could be involved in a wide array of critical functions. This includes failure investigation, capability acquisition, manufacturing support, materials application, defining specifications, data management, and supplier management. Each area offers distinct challenges and learning opportunities.
• Real-World Impact: Your contributions will be tangible. You might be assisting suppliers in meeting product specifications, statistically analyzing material properties to inform design in extreme environments, conducting forensic failure investigations through metallurgical analysis, optimizing technical processes for cost reduction and improved delivery, or testing materials to understand their fundamental properties.
• Supportive and Inclusive Culture: Rolls-Royce fosters a culture where individuality is celebrated as a strength, and diverse perspectives drive innovation. You'll be part of a high-performance environment, supported by managers, leaders, mentors, and fellow apprentices.
• Financial and Personal Benefits: The program offers a competitive starting salary of £22,990 per year, with annual pay reviews. Beyond salary, you'll receive comprehensive benefits including a full Level 6 degree, 33 days of holiday (including bank holidays), a competitive pension scheme, and access to a wide range of voluntary benefits through the TotalReward portal, such as discounts, health services, and a Cycle to Work scheme.

Key Considerations for Aspiring Candidates:

• Academic Foundation: Prospective apprentices will need to meet specific academic entry requirements. This includes a strong performance in GCSEs, with particular emphasis on Maths (minimum grade 6/B), English Language (minimum grade 4/C), and Science (minimum grade 4/C). For post-GCSE qualifications, 112 UCAS points are required, typically from 3 A-Levels (including Maths and a STEM subject at a minimum grade C) or a BTEC in Engineering with specific Maths requirements. Equivalent qualifications may also be considered.
• Passion and Potential: Beyond academic achievements, Rolls-Royce highly values personal qualities. Demonstrating a genuine passion for materials engineering, confidence in your abilities, a hunger for continuous learning, and an open-minded, curious, collaborative, and creative approach to problem-solving are crucial.
• Commitment to Core Values: Alignment with Rolls-Royce's core behaviors – prioritizing safety, doing the right thing, keeping things simple, and making a difference – is expected.
• Geographic Location and Dedication: This apprenticeship is based in Derby and spans four years. Be prepared for a significant commitment to this location and the comprehensive learning journey.
• Diverse Work Environment: The role involves splitting your time across various settings – offices, laboratories, manufacturing sites, and university. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and a willingness to engage in both theoretical study and practical, hands-on work.

This Materials Engineering Degree Apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce represents more than just an entry-level position; it's a carefully crafted pathway to becoming a highly skilled materials engineer within a global powerhouse. If you are a motivated individual with a strong academic background and a passion for innovation, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to build a rewarding and impactful career.