L3 Fabricator/Welder Apprenticeship

If you’re interested in helping solve a problem and like to understand how things are put together and made to work, Westinghouse - Springfields Advanced Apprenticeship in engineering will give you all the skills you need for a first-class career in engineering – with exciting job prospects in a variety of roles that will always be in demand across the industry.  

What does an advanced engineering apprenticeship involve? 

Apprentices are trained following a route to Level 3 in Fabrication Engineering to maintain and support mechanical systems within our production plant. All apprentices study for a BTEC/equivalent technical certificate on day release at a local training provider, with the practical training delivered both at the Training Provider and on site at Springfields Fuels in our engineering academy followed by site area training in the working environments.  

The first six months gives the foundations, where you’ll learn basic engineering skills including developing skills in bench fitting, measuring, machining, fabrication /welding - ensuring accuracy to the specifications. This is in preparation to working in a variety of site locations whist completing a Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeship including completing a number of modules covering fabrication and/or welding – 1st Year Engineering: Drawings, manual cutting techniques and communication in the following years: metal inert gases, properties and application of engineering a materials. This is a four-year training programme to develop your expertise with specialised training programme over the four years and progressing in the final months to show your competency in metal fabrication/welding skills to complete your apprenticeship and preparing for your final assessment.  

On-the-job training on site in the workshop gaining knowledge and practical skills guided by experienced professionals. The Training Provider and Springfield colleagues will work with you to ensure you have the required development to support you in your work environment on site. The Training Academy have a number of individuals who will support you during your apprenticeship. 

What are the areas of development? 

Advanced Engineering Apprenticeships are currently offered in the following areas: 

Advanced Fabrication Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3 – Read and interpret fabrication engineering drawings to produce complex fabricated products & components that meet the required specification, tolerance and quality requirements.  Fabrication process includes marking out, pattern development, cutting & forming material, hole drilling/punching, weld preparation and welding to the meet the requirements of the relevant welding standard.   This role will focus on the Fabrication engineering apprenticeship route at Westinghouse-Springfields, this includes a variety of jobs working both in the main workshop and onsite alongside others carrying out fault finding/repair, machining, fabrication and maintenance jobs for the site.  We also offer other roles in engineering – please apply via to correct careers link for the apprenticeship for the roles below: 

Advanced Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3 

Electrical maintenance – 3 phase supply and motors, wall bay construction project. 

Instrumentation and control – measurement, and control, transmitters, level pressure, flow and temperature. 

Mechanical maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3-

hydraulics, pneumatics, gaskets and seals, drive systems, use of machining equipment and engineering techniques. 

Advanced Machining Engineering Apprenticeship Level 3-

Read and interpret technical engineering drawings to set up, adjust, program and operate machining equipment, to machine high-quality complex components that meet specification and tolerance using a broad range of machining processes and machining equipment (both manual and CNC machines).  Machining processes include, diameters (including eccentric & tapers), radius, holes, bores, slots, pockets, under cuts & grooves, internal & external thread cutting, and profile forms. Inspect components once produced against specification and tolerance requirements.  

What do I need to apply? 

Our four-year apprenticeships are following the national apprenticeship standards and aimed at people with qualifications at GCSE in maths, English and a science grades A-C or 5 -9 or predicted to be at this level or equivalent qualifications.  

Enthusiasm for problem solving and a motivation for a role in engineering.  

What happens at the end of the apprenticeship? 

Towards the end of your apprenticeship, you will be given the opportunity to apply for a permanent role within engineering or you may decide to take one of our further technical routes to enhance your qualifications in Engineering.  

If you are selected to join Westinghouse - Springfields you will join us in August 2025. 

Closing date:  11th February 2025