Apprenticeships in Plymouth
Known as Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth boasts an extensive maritime history and an impressive contemporary culture of research and industry.
Some of the biggest names in aerospace, construction, and manufacturing have a significant presence there, including Babcock, Kier Construction, Ward Williams Associates and Greenlight Safety and Training.
Careers in Plymouth
Unsurprisingly, many careers in Plymouth are linked to the water. After all, if you’re a marine biologist, there are few places better to work than the UK’s largest aquarium, the National Marine Aquarium, as seen on BBC2’s docu-series Secrets of the Aquarium.
Proud of its history, Plymouth is also a city looking forward, with research centres, including Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Derriford Research Facility at the University of Plymouth, the Lifestyle Genomics Research Centre Limited, and The Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
The retail sector offers work in independent shops, or you can work in one of the many museums, art galleries, theatres, bars and restaurants.
There are also many jobs in manufacturing and construction, aerospace, energy and the environment, healthcare, and the British Armed Forces.
An apprenticeship based in Plymouth could get you off to a strong start in your career. Let’s explore this exciting and all its opportunities a little further.
The latest apprentice jobs in Plymouth
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Apprentice Cyberspace Communication Specialist
Royal Air ForceUK -
Apprentice Weapon Technician
Royal Air ForceUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK -
BMW Apprenticeships 2025 (Register Interest)
BMWUK -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search all jobs.
Top employers in Plymouth
Living and working in Plymouth
If you long to live by the seaside with all the comforts and accessibility of a vibrant city, Plymouth is the place for you.
There aren’t many places where you can swim in the morning, walk cobbled streets during the day and take in a show during the evening.
Plymouth offers all this and more, mixing history and tradition with modern innovations and attractions in a stunning seaside setting.
This blend is perfectly encapsulated in the Royal William Yard, where grade-I-listed former military buildings have been given new life as bars, restaurants and galleries. The Barbican offers more excellent eateries, plus independent shops right on the waterfront.
Plymouth Hoe is not just a park but also home to the art-deco, open-air swimming pool Tinside Lido, the distinctive red-and-white striped former lighthouse, Smeaton’s Tower, and several statues and memorials.
You’re just a short drive away from the beautiful National Trust-owned Wembury beach and the lush greenery of Dartmoor National Park.
Plymouth was the site of many historic events, including Catherine of Aragon’s arrival in the UK in 1501, the Mayflower voyage in 1620, Captain Cook’s first trip on the Endeavour in 1768 and Charles Darwin setting sail from Plymouth Barbican on The Beagle in 1831.
Unsurprisingly, there are multiple museums, including The Box, which is also an art gallery, and The Mayflower Museum.
History buffs can also visit Black Friars, England’s oldest working distillery, where Plymouth Original Strength Gin has been made since 1793, and Jackas Bakery, believed to be the oldest commercial bakery in the world still in operation.
The city hosts an exciting events programme with free events such as Armed Forces Day, the British Firework Championships, Flavour Fest and Pirate Weekend, delighting locals and attracting tourists throughout the year.
Tourism is a significant industry in the city, alongside manufacturing, construction, aerospace, energy solutions, and marine biology.
Degree apprenticeships in Plymouth
Degree apprenticeships, as the name suggests, involve studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at university while working and learning practical skills first-hand.
Plymouth boasts nine universities and specialist colleges (such as Arts University Plymouth and dBs Music). The top two are Plymouth University and Plymouth Marjon University.
Plymouth University offers higher and degree apprenticeships in healthcare, business, and science and engineering, with more set to launch in September 2025.
Plymouth Marjon University runs a BA Youth Work Integrated Degree apprenticeship, among other topics.
Industry spotlight
Marine biology is the study of aquatic animals and marine life, jobs include:
- Keeper and aquarist
- Laboratory technician
- Horticulturist
- Research technician
- Environmental Consultant
- Scientist
- Biologist
- Marine biologist
- Environmental planner
- Natural resource technician
- Veterinarian
- Microbiologist
British Marine and the Marine Biological Association regularly run marine-based apprenticeships with the National Marine Aquarium and colleges and universities based in Plymouth.
The trades were the original apprenticeships, teaching young people and underqualified adults practical skills such as joinery, plumbing, and electrics, skills which can still secure gainful employment in Plymouth.
As one of the biggest employers in the region, Babcock offers a wide range of trade apprenticeships, from electrical engineers, CNC machinists and project controls to welders, fabricators and pipefitters.
Construction is a diverse field encompassing design, building, maintenance and evaluation.
Companies such as Kier Construction and Ward Williams Associates offer a variety of level 2-6 construction apprenticeships in specialisms such as building services, 3D/4D animation, digital construction and environmental and sustainability.
What is an apprenticeship?
A UK apprenticeship is a partly Government-funded scheme designed to get young people into work while diversifying and upskilling the British workforce.
Working with UK businesses, apprenticeships combine 80% practical work with 20% study. Tuition is funded, and apprentices are paid a fair wage.
Apprenticeships help young people and those for whom tuition fees can be prohibitive earn the qualifications they need to progress in their chosen careers – from GCSEs to Masters degrees.
Participating companies get better-trained staff and benefit from financial incentives, while the economy improves from an upskilled, diversified workforce. It’s a win all around.
Get paid to upskill
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Hands-on Tasks
Apprentices are employees just like their colleagues and benefit from the opportunity to complete tasks and duties necessary for their jobs in a real work environment.
Paid Work
As an apprentice, you will be paid a fair wage – at least the living wage for your age group, and sometimes significantly more. Beyond the minimum, your salary is at the discretion of your employer, and some are very generous with apprentices’ pay to attract the best candidates.
Apprenticeships On The Rise
Apprenticeships had a rough couple of years over the Covid pandemic, but are officially on the rise again, (up 1.3% for 2024/2025 from the previous year).
More apprenticeships mean more opportunities, with candidates more likely to be successful in their applications.
Get Qualified Faster
The typical duration of a UK apprenticeship is 12 months to 3 years. This is much shorter than many university courses, particularly at higher and degree levels.
This means you could conceivably qualify for a more senior position or start a whole new career in a much shorter time.
Each UK apprenticeship corresponds to a particular nationally recognised qualification.
- Level 2 (Intermediate) – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
- Level 3 (Advanced) – equivalent to 2 A Level passes
- Levels 4- 5 (Higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree
- Levels 6-7 (Degree) – equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree
Other qualifications awarded through apprenticeships are industry-specific licences and accreditations.
Shine Bright
Apprentices are trusted members of their teams and are given plenty of opportunities to shine. Many employers see apprenticeships as offering a fresh, often younger perspective, and will value your input and ideas.
Your Ideal Apprenticeship
The increase in apprenticeships has seen them diversify and become more convenient for young people and those wanting to switch careers.
Where once apprenticeships were largely limited to the trades and only available in big cities, today you can usually find an apprenticeship you are interested in fairly close to home.
From traditional careers such as teaching and police to cyber security, and low carbon technology, there is an apprenticeship for just about every job.
You can find several apprenticeships based in Plymouth and the surrounding area in topics including health, business, marine biology and tourism.
Use our topic and location search filters to check out the latest apprenticeships in Plymouth or visit our industry and school leaver pages.
