You start the application process as you would with any other company, putting in personal details, CV, education etc. etc. It is slightly longer due to the need for further checks as you would be working on MoD-related work projects.
If successful, you should hear back very quickly and then invited to do online tests. These are quite straight forward and consist of basic logic, data analysis and organisation questions.
If successful on the tests, you should then hear back fairly quickly on whether you are successful and then be invited for an online assessment centre.
The assessment centre was a great experience. Before the assessment centre you will be emailed details of what will happen; it usually consists of a presentation (on a chosen topic by the HR team) and a team exercise.
You start initially by meeting all the candidates via MS Teams (not all of these people will necessarily be naval architect candidates) with whom you can speak to. You will then carry out your presentation in front of one or two Babcock workers.
Your presentation should be *formal*, i.e. you should think of this as if you are a Babcock employee, presenting to the Principal Engineers and Technical Authorities. Afterwards, you will be asked questions.
For the group exercise, you have to be focussed. Read the brief they give you (then read it again) and make sure you cover all points. *You don't want to be that person asking lots of questions*, rather than the one who is providing solutions and moving the exercise in the right direction. Again, you will be asked to present to a larger panel this time, and then asked questions.
It's a great experience to do this assessment centre even if you are not successful. Furthermore, many of those who are there to ask you questions and present in front of are recent ex-graduate engineers, therefore they understand what you are going through - don't be nervous!
The only thing I would say is that when HR give you a date on which they will get back to you, add about 3-4 days onto this, as I found there is usually a delay.
*This process is probably similar to those who are applying for Grad Project Manager, Mech. eng. positions as well