Pattern Maker Apprentice - Engineering

Summary

We are seeking keen and motivated Apprentice Pattern Makers to manufacture high-quality master patterns and plugs for GRP mould production.This role requires strong woodworking skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe working practices.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Hours

6.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday. *College attendance days are provisionally on Thursday & Friday, 9.00am - 4:30pm (To be confirmed).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 February 2027

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

• Manufacture MDF and timber master patterns, plugs, and tooling to customer specification.
• Interpret and work from technical drawings, dimensions, radii, draft angles, and assembly details.
• Measure, mark out, shape, assemble, and finish pattern components accurately.
• Operate hand tools, portable power tools, and woodworking machinery safely and effectively.
• Prepare materials through lamination, jointing, planning, and thicknessing processes.
• Produce multi-part patterns incorporating split lines, locating keys, and draft requirements.
• Surface finish patterns using fillers, sanding, sealing, and priming techniques to mould-ready standards.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organised workshop environment.
• Follow all company health, safety, PPE, and standard operating procedures.
• Support continuous improvement activities and contribute to efficient tooling manufacture.

Where you'll work

Amington Way
Tamworth
B77 4ED

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
• Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
• Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
• Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
• Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
• Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
• Follow standard operating procedures.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
• Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Carry out and record learning and development activities.
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
• Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
• Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
• Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
• Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
• Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
• Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
• Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
• Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
• Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
• Follow standard operating procedures.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
• Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Carry out and record learning and development activities.
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Training schedule

Attend 2 days per week at College, (Tamworth Campus) in the first year, then one day per week in years 2, 3 and 4. Term Time only.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade 4-9 (A*- C))

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
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience