Apprenticeships
Opportunities
At Balaena we understand the importance of nurturing careers and developing the future of our workforce, as well as developing the vital skills our industry needs to secure the future of British shipbuilding.
The vast majority of our apprentices have gone straight into full-time permanent employment upon completion of their initial training and many have been able to gain further qualifications and progress their careers with Balaena, including up to Director level.
Applications for our 2026 intake are now closed, information for our 2027 intake will be available in 2027
Our Programme
We have worked hard to establish an award winning apprenticeship programme in partnership with local colleges including The Engineering College and Wirral Met - making us one of the biggest employers in the area.
In recent years, Balaena has put hundreds of apprentices through its multi-award-winning apprenticeship programme - making it one of the biggest in the UK maritime industry.
Around 70 apprentices were given the opportunity to contribute to the RRS Sir David Attenborough project and develop vital experience.
Skills for the Future
Balaena is committed to the long-term development of the maritime workforce. Our apprenticeship programmes, established in 1997 (Birkenhead) and 2008 (Falmouth/Tyne) have industry-leading completion rates and are expanding to meet growing demand.
Our investment in skills includes:
+ World-class training facilities and structured career pathways.
+ Engagement with schools and colleges to promote STEM and maritime careers.
+ Active support for women and mature learners entering engineering.
+ Mentorship and workplace training to accelerate progression.
By combining the strengths of our legacy programmes, Balaena is creating one of the UK’s most effective maritime training pipelines.
Build Your Future with Balaena
At Balaena, an apprenticeship is more than a qualification, it's the start of a long-term career in one of the UK's fastest-growing maritime engineering groups.
You'll work alongside experienced professionals on real projects, develop skills that are recognised across the industry, and become part of a business investing in the future of British shipbuilding, engineering and defence.
Whether your ambition is to become a welder, engineer, project manager, designer or future leader, we'll provide the training, support and opportunities to help you get there.
Your career starts here. Join Balaena and help build the future of British maritime engineering.