Engineering, Manufacturing & Estimating Apprentice

Summary

A fantastic opportunity to develop skills across CNC, Metalshop, Assembly and Estimating in a fast-paced production environment. Manufacture bespoke signage, operate machinery, read technical drawings, and support pricing, job costing, and production processes

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 08:00 – 16:30 (including breaks) Overtime may be available but is not compulsory.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 2026

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

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

• Operate CNC machines and prepare materials for production
• Fabricate components using metalwork, welding, and machinery
• Assemble signage, including LED wiring and finishing processes
• Read and interpret technical drawings, job sheets, and specifications
• Support estimating by pricing jobs using internal systems (e.g. Clarity)
• Interpret customer enquiries and identify missing project details
• Assist with creating job sheets and preparing jobs for production
• Carry out quality checks throughout production and assembly
• Monitor stock levels and report shortages
• Follow all health, safety, and workshop procedures
• Work collaboratively across production and office teams

Where you'll work

5 SANDS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
SWALWELL
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE16 3DJ

Training

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

Training provider

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
• Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
• Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
• Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
• Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
• Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
• Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
• Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
• Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
• Correctly position, align and secure the components
• Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
• Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
• Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
• Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
• Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
• Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
• Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
• Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
• Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
• Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
• Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
• Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
• Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
• Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
• Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
• Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
• Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification

Training schedule

• No college day release – all delivered on employers site
• Learn across multiple departments including CNC, Metal shop, Assembly, and Estimating
• Develop both practical skills and commercial understanding

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (Or equivalent) preferred (grade 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
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Ability to work independently
• Time Management
• Interpret technical info
• Strong work ethic
• Reliable
• Motivated
• Willing to learn new skills
• Good Timekeeping

Other requirements

• Workshop-based role involving machinery and tools
• PPE must be worn at all times
• Combination of practical (workshop) and office-based tasks
• Hands-on role requiring physical work
• Overtime opportunities may be available