Engineering apprenticeships
Mechanical, electrical, civil, software, aerospace and manufacturing apprenticeships — from Level 2 to degree. Earn while you train, finish debt-free with a recognised qualification and real industry experience.
Engineering disciplines on Shine
Mechanical engineering
Design and maintain machines, engines and mechanical systems across automotive, aerospace, energy and manufacturing.
Electrical & electronic
Power systems, control engineering, electronics — for grid, rail, renewables and industrial sites.
Civil & structural
Bridges, roads, rail, water, buildings — site engineering and design office routes available.
Software engineering
Embedded, web and systems software apprenticeships in tech, defence, fintech and engineering firms.
Aerospace & defence
Aircraft, satellites, defence systems — major UK employers including BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
Manufacturing & maintenance
CNC, machining, mechatronics, maintenance and quality apprenticeships in UK production sites.
Engineering apprenticeship FAQs
Plain-English answers to the questions UK applicants and parents ask most about engineering apprenticeships.
- What engineering apprenticeships are available in the UK?
- The main UK engineering apprenticeship disciplines are mechanical, electrical, electronic, civil, structural, manufacturing, aerospace, marine, automotive, chemical and software engineering. You can start at Level 2 (Intermediate) with GCSEs, Level 3 (Advanced) after GCSEs, or Level 4–6 (Higher / Degree) with A-levels or a Level 3 qualification.
- How much do engineering apprentices earn in the UK?
- Engineering apprentices typically earn well above the apprentice minimum wage (£6.40/hour). First-year wages of £15,000–£22,000 are common at Level 3, rising to £20,000–£30,000 at degree apprenticeship level — and large engineering employers (Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, JLR, National Grid, Siemens) often pay more.
- Which engineering apprenticeship should I do?
- Pick the discipline that matches your strengths and interests: mechanical if you like how machines work, electrical if you like power and wiring, civil if you like structures and infrastructure, software if you like code, aerospace if you like aircraft. Shine's free quiz matches your strengths to specific live engineering apprenticeships near you.
- How do I get an engineering apprenticeship with no experience?
- You don't need work experience — Level 2 and Level 3 engineering apprenticeships are entry routes. Employers care about practical aptitude, maths/science interest, attitude and reliability. Helpful (not required): a Saturday job, school engineering club, FIRST/Greenpower projects, or a Smallpeice / EDT residential.
- What GCSEs do I need for an engineering apprenticeship?
- Most Level 3 engineering apprenticeships ask for 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, usually including maths, English and a science. Level 2 apprenticeships are more flexible. Degree apprenticeships typically require A-levels in maths and a science, or a relevant Level 3 qualification (BTEC, T-level).
- Is an engineering apprenticeship better than an engineering degree?
- Both lead to the same chartered-engineer career path. A degree apprenticeship gets you the same bachelor's degree as university, plus 4–5 years of paid industry experience, with no tuition fees. A traditional degree gives a broader academic base and a full university experience. The right choice depends on how you learn and what you want from those 4 years.
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