Career in Ordnance Munitions & Explosives
The technical, engineering, and scientific world. Doing lab research, making new products and everything in between. Does this sound like it’s for you? OME Professionals have important jobs that encompass all of these things. A career in Ordnance Munitions and Explosives, through an apprenticeship allows you paths into offers diverse opportunities in different sectors, such as defence, chemical, military, and more. Read on to find out more about this Level 6 degree apprenticeship, and how it could provide a smooth transition into the industry for you!
Entry Requirements
Every employer sets their specific criteria, although, given the job’s nature, it’s likely that you’ll need to be a minimum of 18 years old, as well as a likely requirement of three A-Levels, including Maths. Certain employers may consider alternative qualifications or relevant experience.
What Does an OME Apprentice Do?
Each specialization option within the apprenticeship program offers unique technical knowledge and skills. Over time, you will acquire the skills to interpret data, apply effective research methods, and collaborate successfully. You will have the chance to design efficient OME manufacturing processes, with a strong emphasis on the quality and safety of the products, alongside maintaining a steadfast commitment to the highest safety standards while offering technical advice to both internal and external customers.
Your core knowledge will include essential concepts related to safety, security, environmental considerations, materials science, and more. You must demonstrate the ability to implement safety measures, identify areas for improvement, and adapt to changing circumstances.
Specialisation 1 : Research and Development Professional
As a Research and Development professional, you will need to solve challenges involving chemicals and formulations. You will need to stay updated on OME research and related fields, which will help in your decision making and management, documenting these processes for complex energetics programs, ensuring you adhere to standards and meet customer needs.
You will understand the breadth of OME studies, including propellant behavior, casing integrity, design, safety, emerging technologies, such a 3D printing, system thinking, and diverse research methods, which will help to advance the field.
Apprentices undertaking this option could typically be employed in these roles within the sector:
- Research and development Scientist/Engineer
- Product Engineer/Designer
- Explosives Chemist
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Industrial Explosives Chemist
- Ballistician
- Energetic Research Scientists
- Terminal Effects Designer
Specialisation 2 : Safety Professional
As a Safety Professional, your job will be to enhance safety through audits and inspections. Your role will involve offering guidance on safety matters and how that can be used to facilitate safety education. You will take part in incident investigations to pinpoint root causes and distribute relevant lessons learned. Next, you will be responsible for the development and review of safety documents to uphold a culture of best safety practices.
You will gain proficiency in the safe management of OME hazards, enabling you to assess the severity of situations within OME facilities. This knowledge will empower you to effectively apply relevant regulations and industry best practices. This knowledge will allow you to oversee facility operations and infrastructure. From this, you will become familiar with addressing licensing and emergency planning, implementing safety management systems, and recognising the human impact on operations.
Apprentices undertaking this option could typically be employed in these roles within the sector:
- Decontamination officer
- Range Safety Officer
- Explosive Safety Representative
- Safety Advisor
- Safety Manager
- Training & Assessment Officer
- Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor
- Transport Manager
- Custody Holder
- Magazine Manager
Specialisation 3 : Manufacturing and Processing Professional
Manufacturing and Processing Professionals are responsible for ensuring safe and precise production of OME products, using efficient design tools and metrics to establish and ensure process capability. Overseeing compliant manufacturing processes, by using engineering and chemistry principles to promote safety and efficiency. Collaboration with other experts is crucial for optimising OME production, considering the product’s entire lifecycle, and ensuring safety throughout.
Your technical knowledge will include an understanding of OME product critical features, process requirements, and design options, evaluation and selection of the right design choice from various options using multi-criteria analysis, all of which will allow you to gain an understanding of end-to-end manufacturing processes. Ultimately, ensuring a balance between workplace and product safety and maintaining quality throughout the OME lifecycle.
Apprentices undertaking this option could typically be employed in these roles within the sector:
- Product Engineer / Designer / Operator
- Manufacturing/Process Engineer
- Quality Assurance/Control Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Process Design Engineer, chemist or modeller
To summarise this, completing a level 6 OME Apprenticeship can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to embark on a prosperous career in this industry. This career path allows you to leverage your unique personal attributes.
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