Apprentices
Joining as an Apprentice
If you’re interested in science and technology and you have a real hands-on approach to problem-solving, an apprenticeship with BP could be a great way to start your career. Our apprenticeship programmes offer you the chance to gain valuable practical experience, as well as the opportunity to study for further qualifications. Every apprentice receives unrivalled support from a close-knit team, together with excellent development opportunities and a competitive rewards package.Going there, and beyond.
The first year of the apprenticeship is a 46-week “off-the-job” programme with an additional two weeks’ residential team event, which covers team building and communication/citizenship key skills. During the course of the year you will work towards Performing Engineering Operations NVQ level 2 and a first year BTEC National Certificate in manufacturing. Key skills are also covered in the first year, along with site-based foundation training for process operations. All craft and operations core training areas are covered in year one as “packet training.”
Upon the completion of year one, your ongoing pathway is defined either onto Craft or Production. Craft continues on a three-year programme and Production/laboratory, a two-year programme.
On completion of your apprenticeship, if you’ve demonstrated an impressive attitude, behaviour and skill set, you could be offered a permanent role at BP.
All Quartz trainees – until completion of the apprenticeship – work towards a Level 3 NVQ in their specified trade area. The NVQ is delivered and supported by site assessors and verifiers. Year 2 BTEC is completed as part of the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship framework. You will have your own training plan, which is supported by site mentors and the training team.
To be considered, you must be:
- Be 16 to 19 years of age
- Possess as a minimum 4 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent (GNVQ or BTEC Dual Awards)
- Have an interest in science, engineering or technology
- Have a ‘safety comes first’ mentality
- Be committed to training and education for a four year period
- Demonstrate initiative and drive, with a real desire to succeed
As the Quartz programme is based at our Hull site, it's essential that you live within commuting distance.
Preparing you for the future
As well as benefiting from a training plan tailored to your individual development needs, you will receive regular feedback and counselling, coaching and performance monitoring. You will have a personal mentor to provide advice and support throughout your apprenticeship. NVQ assessment will be by qualified assessors.
You’ll also receive:
- A competitive allowance which increases annually depending upon meeting key performance indicators
- Two weeks’ residential team building holiday in the UK, which is all-inclusive
- 25 days’ holiday per annum + 8 statutory days
- A discretionary bonus to reward your performance – likely to vary with your role
- A comprehensive tool kit
Applications
We invite applications between January/February each year. This is advertised in the local media. Interested applicants should apply by downloading an application form by clicking below:
Alternatively, you can request an application form by calling The Humberside Engineering Association (HETA) directly on 01482 826635, quoting Quartz.
What next?
The assessment process begins with a multi-choice test paper. If you achieve the correct grade you will then progress to the next selection stage, which is a full day assessment managed by qualified assessors.
The results from this assessment day are analysed by the BP Training team. If you are successful, you will be invited back for a final interview.
The training year commences in September of each year.
Facts
- Based in Saltend, near Hull the BP Hull European Acetyls manufacturing site is BP's largest acetyls production site and the second largest acetyls production site anywhere in the world. Hull site’s position within BP as a strategic training base for developing competency assurance is recognised globally. The annual production of chemicals is currently 700,000 tonnes.
- BP Saltend offers sponsored apprenticeships following UK national standards as defined by the LSC (Learning & Skills Council). The sponsored training scheme is branded as “Quartz” and offers Craft, Process & Laboratory apprenticeships.
- The apprenticeship framework follows the National Standard for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships to a Level 3 NVQ. The trainee is hired into BP when the framework is completed and the necessary performance indicators have been achieved.
- The Quartz programme has won three National Training Awards in the past two years and an internal BP Helios award. The Quartz programme has trainees from other BP business units training on the site, all mentored by Hull site technicians and overseen by the learning and development department.
