Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice - Shepherd Offshore Limited

Summary

This hands-on apprenticeship is ideal for someone with an interest in engineering and fabrication who is eager to develop practical skills while learning from experienced professionals in a dynamic, supportive working environment. 

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Plate welder (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8:00am- 4:00pm Please note: Working hours may vary slightly to 8:30am- 4:00pm depending on the department you are assigned to.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, you will:

• Prepare and set up welding equipment and materials
• Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
• Carry out welding operations using approved techniques
• Cut, shape and join heavy gauge metal plates
• Inspect completed welds to ensure quality and accuracy standards are met
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised working environment
• Work alongside experienced fabricators and welders on live engineering projects
• Complete off-the-job training and attend all college sessions and assessments as part of your apprenticeship

Where you'll work

Offshore Technology Park 1 Rendle Road
Walker
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE6 3NH

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

NCG

Training course

Plate welder (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
• Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
• Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
• Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
• Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
• Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
• Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
• Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
• Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
• Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
• Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
• Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
• Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
• Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
• Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
• Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
• Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
• Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
• Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
• Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
• Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
• Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
• Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
• Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)

Training schedule

• 4 days per week at Shepherd's Offshore
• 1 day per week at Newcastle College Energy Centre (Hadrian Rd, Wallsend)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Logical
• Initiative
• Patience