Across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), apprentices play a vital role in strengthening our capability and building the skills we need for the future. This Apprentice Wednesday, we’re spotlighting the real experience behind one of our many apprenticeship schemes – showing how hands on learning, expert support and meaningful work help shape confident, capable professionals.
Below, one of our Business Administration apprentices Ethan shares how his journey has built his skills and set him on a path toward a rewarding career in Defence
Looking back on my DNE apprenticeship, I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and opportunities it gave me. What I’ll remember most is the camaraderie among fellow apprentices and the support from mentors who created such an encouraging and unique environment.
The most valuable skill I’ve gained is adaptability. Working across a wide variety of tasks and processes taught me how to approach new challenges with confidence, think critically and problem‑solve effectively. Those skills have already become essential in my day‑to‑day work.
I was fortunate to be guided by some truly inspiring individuals throughout my apprenticeship. One mentor who stands out is my manager in the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA). His support has had a lasting impact on me, pushing me to grow, offering consistent encouragement and inspiring me to step outside my comfort zone. The lessons I’ve learned from him are ones I’ll take forward for the rest of my career.
Another major benefit of the scheme was gaining exposure to different areas of the Enterprise. This gave me the chance to discover what I genuinely enjoy. I found myself particularly drawn to project delivery, and I’m excited to explore that route further as I progress.
A project I’m especially proud of is the Business Management Hub SharePoint redesign. Being part of a team that delivered a genuinely useful tool used across the organisation gave me a strong sense of accomplishment. Knowing that our work has a tangible, everyday impact was incredibly rewarding and helped strengthen my technical IT skills.
This DNE apprenticeship has been an amazing foundation for my career. It’s been challenging, motivating and full of opportunities to learn. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful and rewarding start in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
Ready to take the next step?
If this or any other story featured this week as part of NAW has inspired you and you’re interested in pursuing a career in the Defence Nuclear Enterprise, why not explore one of our exciting live opportunities?
