Ordnance munitions and explosives (OME) professional (integrated degree)
Level 6 · DegreeEngineering and manufacturing 5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Ordnance, munitions, and explosives (OME) professionals design, develop, test, and assure complex weapons and explosive systems for defence and security. This Level 6 integrated degree apprenticeship leads to a BEng and is offered in the defence sector, with graduates working across munitions safety, weapons engineering, or technical assurance. The role requires high technical competence and strict security clearance.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Explosives chemistry, initiation systems, and safety engineering
Weapons system design, testing, and performance assessment
Safety cases and munitions safety regulations
Systems engineering and through-life management of munitions
Risk assessment and accident investigation in OME
Defence acquisition and project management
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Design and test components of ordnance or explosive systems
Develop and review safety cases for weapons and munitions
Support test programmes and analyse performance data
Write technical reports and contribute to design reviews
Ensure compliance with OME safety regulations and codes
Work with the MOD, prime contractors, and test ranges
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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