Network Engineer Apprenticeship

If you’re passionate about technology and intrigued by how digital devices connect, our Network Engineer Apprenticeship offers the perfect foundation for your career. You’ll earn while you learn, with salary increases each year as you progress.

Role

As an apprentice, you'll be part of Babcock's Skynet Service Delivery Wrap (SDW) program, which plays a crucial role in providing essential communication capabilities to the UK and NATO armed forces. The Skynet system ensures that service personnel can stay connected anytime, anywhere, in any environment on Earth. By joining this program, you won’t just acquire specialised network engineering skills - you’ll also contribute to projects that are critical to the security of the UK. 


You will work our Bordon location, where our teams help to maintain and modernise the UK’s sovereign space communications. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will have the chance to rotate through different Skynet SDW Infrastructure teams, gaining valuable insights into their operations and taking on increasingly complex tasks as your experience and skills grow. 

Typical tasks include: 

  • Troubleshooting and resolving network issues
  • Providing technical support to customers and key stakeholders, addressing queries and delivering effective solutions
  • Interpreting technical information and aligning it with organisational requirements and expectations
  • Learning and applying safe working practices in diverse environments, including working at height and in confined spaces

Training

During your apprenticeship, you will study and learn in the role of a Network Engineer.  
 
The course includes a wide range of specialist modules designed to provide you with a strong theoretical foundation for your future career.  
 
You will also develop practical skills, including: 

  • Installing, configuring, and testing network components or devices (both physical and virtual)
  • Collecting and analysing data to monitor network performance.
  • Improving and maintaining network systems or services to meet set standards
  • Identifying and fixing network issues to restore operations, escalating issues if needed
  • Upgrading physical and virtual network systems
  • Interpreting written requirements and technical documents to deliver network systems and services effectively
  • Keeping accurate records in line with organisational policies

Your apprenticeship will culminate in an End Point Assessment (EPA), where an independent assessor will evaluate your performance against the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) defined in the occupational standard. This final assessment allows you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained during the programme.

  • The space industry is on a remarkable growth trajectory, with its global value projected to triple by 2035
  • As part of this booming sector, the skills and experience you’ll develop in network cabling will remain in high demand for years to come
  • Completing the apprenticeship programme is just the start of an exciting career journey with us. We are dedicated to your continued professional growth, offering ongoing development opportunities at our Bordon site
Apprenticeship Standard
Network engineer (level 4)
Training Provider
BASINGSTOKE ITEC LIMITED
Working Week
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Expected Duration
3 Years
Positions Available
2
Closing Date
Thursday, 12th March 2026
Start Date
Tuesday, 1st September 2026

Desired Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Team working

Qualifications

  • Any subject GCSE, grade 4(C) and above (Essential)
  • Any subject GCSE, grade 4(C) and above (Essential)
  • English GCSE, grade 4(C) and above (Essential)
  • Maths GCSE, grade 4(C) and above (Essential)
  • Science GCSE, grade 4(C) and above (Essential)

About the Employer

Babcock International
Babcock is an international defence company providing support and product solutions to enhance our customers’ defence capabilities and critical assets. We provide through-life technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, delivering improvements in performance, availability and programme cost. Our c27,700 employees deliver these critical services to defence and civil customers, including engineering support to naval, land, air and nuclear operations, frontline support, specialist training and asset management. We also design and manufacture a range of defence and civil specialist equipment, from naval ship and weapons handling systems to liquid gas handling systems. We also provide integrated, technology-enabled solutions to our defence customers in areas such as secure communications, electronic warfare and air defence.
Company
Babcock International
Location
Oakhanger Road, Oakhanger, Bordon, England
Employment Type
Higher Apprenticeship
Salary
£23,776 a year
Posted
Company
Babcock International
Location
Oakhanger Road, Oakhanger, Bordon, England
Employment Type
Higher Apprenticeship
Salary
£23,776 a year
Posted