Building Energy Management System Apprentice

Hours: Full time - 37 Hours
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 4 Years 
Location:  Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 16th February 2025

The Science and Technology Facilities Council has over 25 years’ experience in providing engineering apprenticeships and provides an excellent training ground in order to equip individuals with relevant skills and experience for their chosen career, whilst working in one of the world’s leading scientific and engineering research organisations.   

STFC’s Estates Services are looking to recruit a BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls Engineer Apprentice (Level 4) to join us in September 2025.  

As a member of STFC’s Estates Services you will proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC’s vision, values and objectives. The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base therefore it is expected that the post holder will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach. 

One such part is to deliver efficient and sustainable buildings with comfortable internal spaces. 

The BMS systems on-site have grown rapidly over the last 5 years and now includes over 300 controllers along with 50,000 associated points. These systems require a knowledge of building control strategies, sensing elements and software graphical representation. 

About an Apprenticeship at STFC

With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.  

If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else. 

Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover! 

We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements. 

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.  

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

• Provide reactive services to break downs and failures of control system components.
• Maintain the BMS control system across the RAL, The Coseners House Hotel and Chilbolton estates
• Respond to reactive tasks that arise during the day-to-day activities of the site which may be reported via the site helpdesk or identified by the in-house engineering team
• Maintaining and updating graphical pages on the site computer servers to show the running status of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Carry out minor repairs to systems such as hot water, chilled water and air handling units
• As an STFC Apprentice you will connect with staff across STFC and at all levels. You will work as part of a team as well as working on your own. You will also represent STFC through the contact you have with your training provider 
• Attend appropriate additional training to support the role and service delivery  

Through the training provider, Newbury College, you will undertake a Level 4 BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) Controls Engineer Apprenticeship  

Which will include:  

• Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification – Level 4
• On-the-job competency training
• Theoretical knowledge 

You will be required to attend Newbury College on a day release basis as part of your training; you must therefore be willing and able to travel independently.  Excess travel costs will be covered.  

Person Specification

In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:

Key - (S) will be measured at shortlisting, (I) will be measured at interview, (S&I) is both.

The ideal candidate should have a general interest in engineering, both mechanical and electrical, and have a strong desire to improve efficiency and sustainability. You will need to be motivated and enthusiastic and ready to grasp new technologies and strategies to maintain a scientific environment. 

Essential:

• Achieved or predicted to achieve 5 GCSE (or equivalent) passes at Grade C/4 or above including Maths & English (S)
• Have a keen interest in building maintenance and engineering (S&I)
• The ability to communicate concisely, both written and oral, to understand the needs of our customers (S&I)
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and build relationships with other groups, sites and customers (I)
• Be able to apply analytical techniques to tackle a range of engineering issues (I)
• A strong desire to learn (S&I)

Desirable:

• Have a Level 3 qualification in a related subject (S)
• Experience in an engineering capacity ie, mechanical or electrical.  (S&I)
• Be able to embrace new technology (I)
• Willing to develop IT skills on Microsoft and other programs (I)

Important Information

1. To complete the apprenticeship, you will need to evidence passes at 9-4 or A*-C in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English. For those sitting their GSCEs in Summer 2025, we would need evidence of your predicted grades.
2. When applying for an apprenticeship, there is a set residency eligibility criteria that must be met by the applicant. 
3. The training provider will also ask you to complete an initial assessment during the application process. If you already have a qualification in this subject area or similar please include, as an attachment, your transcript outlining the grade/s achieved and modules covered.  By applying for this apprenticeship, you are giving permission for your details to be shared with the relevant training provider. 

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.  

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side? 

Join us and discover what’s possible!