Heritage Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Mechanical - Classic Vehicle restoration)

Summary

This Mechanical Heritage Engineering Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to work with an expert team of specialist engineers, developing skills through varied projects. The successful applicant will assist with the repair, restoration and maintenance of classic cars, particularly Bristol, with drive to progress into a managerial role.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Heritage engineering technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 16 November 2026

Duration

3 years

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

This apprenticeship combines old-school engineering with cutting-edge technology.

• You will assist highly skilled engineers with preparation, preservation, maintenance and restoration of classic vehicles
• You will be taught about the history and development of vehicles, components and materials, servicing, tuning, transmissions and drivetrains, chassis, suspension, steering, braking and electrics
• It also includes Technical Drawing, welding, business studies and advanced diagnostics

Where you'll work

4 Bell Business Centre
Bell Street
Maidenhead
SL6 1HX

Training

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

Training provider

HERITAGE SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED

Training course

Heritage engineering technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Apply current Health & Safety practices at all times, ensuring all Hazards and Risks are identified and managed effectively, specifically complying with all relevant general and heritage specific regulations.
• Dis-assemble and assemble constructs, using video and/or other recording methods as appropriate to ensure the knowledge is not lost if significant time elapses between the two functions.
• Apply the processes of continuous improvement, such as Kaizen and Workplace Organisation.
• Obtain check and use the appropriate original
• Develop, apply and implement appropriate delivery plans to complete tasks within the agreed timescale.
• Apply industry recognised/best practice standards at all times during the restoration of a project to ensure that each stage is completed properly and has no adverse effect on future operations and progress.
• Plan and where applicable obtain all the resources required to undertake the work activity.
• Use the correct original or contemporary tools, processes, procedures and equipment to inspect remove, renovate and reassemble components where applicable including those for periodic adjustment.
• Identify various forms of corrosion, chemical reaction and other forms of degradation, and treat accordingly.
• Apply Non Destructive Techniques (NDT), using the correct technique for the specific application
• Use mechanical, non-mechanical and thermal jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing and welding.
• Apply appropriate and approved diagnostic procedures and equipment with logical problem-solving techniques.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
• Deal with customers, to ensure their satisfaction and expectations are exceeded.
• Use appropriate aviation terminology.
• Fully document and record all work with European Aviation Safety Agency/Civil Aviation Authority requirements.
• Survey Heritage Aircraft, and classify damage as: Negligible, Repairable by treatment, Repairable by patching or insertion or requiring replacement.
• Apply appropriate conservation treatment(s) with minimum physical intervention and removing no or as little as possible original material.
• Correctly identify and employ appropriate riveting techniques.
• Manufacture and replace aircraft panels/components using conforming material.
• Use sealants to add aerodynamic smoothness to exposed surfaces as seams and joints in the fuselage and wings
• Use sealants to prevent air and fluid leakage.
• Undertake jacking & lifting operations without endangering themselves or others.
• Assess external condition of aircraft electrical systems, instruments and power-plant as to their appearance
• Utilise appropriate conservation techniques to return electrical systems, instruments and power-plant to a satisfactory external appearance
• Remove equipment and store in an environmentally controlled bonded secure storage facility, so that it could be re-used in the future.
• Service, maintain operate, locate faults and rectify or repair on prime movers such as; steam, electric, two and four stroke petrol and diesel engines.
• Service, maintain, operate locate faults and rectify or repair propulsion systems.
• Locate faults and rectify or repair Heritage vessels auxiliary systems for electrical supply, fuel supply, cooling and plumbing systems.
• Service, maintain, operate, rectify and repair vessel steering components.
• Manufacture replacement components using conforming materials such as wood, metal or fabric.
• Undertake lifting, slinging, jacking operations without endangering the vessel, components or persons for large heavy objects.
• Manage the processes required to implement an effective vessel assessment including how to assess a vessel for her historical significance and her current fabric condition.
• Manage the process required to stabilise a Heritage vessel and how to protect her condition by applying appropriate treatments with minimum physical intervention and removing as little original material
• Maintain the fabric of the vessel and keep it suitably maintained even under museum conditions to ensure longevity.
• Use appropriate terminology in recording of work.
• Undertake safe handling including hot/in steam working and workshop systems – electric, air, lifting
• Ability to undertake hand and machine fitting including effective use of machine shop tools associated with mechanical repair work (e.g. making replacement components).
• Mechanical exams and checks on lubrication systems, brake systems, hoses and couplings.
• Undertake mechanical testing techniques, carrying out the required test procedure without causing damage to the component or system.
• Undertake white metalling and refurbishment of bearings.
• Carry out examination of locomotive frames and their alignment.
• Carry out examination procedures for wheel-sets, tyres and flanges, axles and springs to determine repair or adjustment needs in line with guidance e.g. MT 276.
• Carry out valve and piston examination and slide bar alignment.
• Use appropriate terminology and recording of the work.
• Correctly mark out plate for different boiler sections.
• Undertake safe handling including hot/in steam working and correct use of tools associated with boiler work.
• Carry out thorough survey and examinations, testing techniques including hydraulic and have the skills to identify and carry out the required test procedure without causing damage to the component or system.
• Carry out riveting repairs (hot and hydraulic).
• Carry out tube removal and boiler re-tubing.
• Undertake correct fitting of boiler mountings and safety valves.
• Carry out plate-work repairs and patching.
• Carry out inner and outer firebox repair, including drilling and tapping, stay removal and replacement.
• Operate historic vehicles and systems safely and without damage to components and systems.
• Conduct and record inspections and assessments relating to historic vehicles and systems taking into account the historic pedigree and use of materials & processes.
• Produce technical drawings, use a range of measuring techniques including the use of metric and imperial measuring systems.
• Implement plans to preserve, repair, disassemble, re-assemble or re-manufacture the range of historic vehicles systems and components.
• Lift/jack, support and lower historic vehicles safely and without damage to chassis, components or systems
• Service, maintain and repair the range of historic motive power systems.
• Service, maintain and repair historic vehicle auxiliary systems.
• Retain originality of materials and apply/use preservation techniques where appropriate.
• Re-manufacture components using hand skills, milling, turning, grinding and fabrication skills appropriate to the particular vehicle.
• Use mechanical, non-mechanical & thermal jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing, mig, tig, spot & arc welding.
• Conduct and record inspections & assessments relating to historic vehicle construction and components taking into account the historic pedigree and use of materials and processes.
• Dismantle, store and rebuild historic vehicles safely and without damage to components and systems.
• Implement plans to preserve, repair, disassemble, reassemble or re-manufacture the range of historic vehicles chassis, panels and components.
• Use historic building techniques such as ‘wheeling’ (panels being hand rolled).
• Use all jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing and welding methods.
• Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the internal and external trim components in a range of materials including hoods, frames, head linings, and upper environmental trim.
• Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the internal and external trim components in a range of materials including fabric, wood, metal and composites.
• Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the vehicle glazing.
• Prepare vehicles for handover to customers, transportation, exhibitions and display

Training schedule

The ‘Heritage Engineering Level 3 Apprenticeship’ is a nationally recognised qualification delivered by ‘HSA’ from its Mechanical Academy based at ‘Bicester Heritage’ in Oxfordshire. Delivered over 36 months on a block release basis, you will attend your academy on average every 5 weeks for a 5-day block of training running from Monday to Friday, the remaining 80% of the time you will be working with your employer. If required, your employer will cover the Accommodation and travel costs.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C)
• Maths (grade 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
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

Previous classic vehicle work experience is useful and a proven interest in classic and heritage skills and vehicles is required, GCSE Grades 4 to 9 (A-C) Maths and English are essential.

We are also looking for applications from university graduates looking to apply their degree to ‘old school’ engineering challenges and develop a career in this exciting and dynamic industry.

There is a high expectation that successful candidates will work hard, be conscientious and represent the company well on all occasions. Appearance, attitude, timekeeping, and personal presentation will all be considered throughout the interview process.