Engineering Apprenticeships

Machining Technician – Level 3 (ST1305)

Duration: 4 Years

As a Machining Apprentice, you’ll get to try a range of engineering-based activities, developing the hands-on skills and experience to begin a successful career in manufacturing engineering.

You’ll spend your first 20 weeks at TDR Training School before joining one of our businesses. From there, you’ll spend four days per week in the factory and attend college one day per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Using engineering machines such as lathes, milling machines and CNC equipment to produce precision parts for industries including hydraulics, energy and nuclear.
• Working from engineering drawings and technical data to turn designs into high quality components.
• Setting up, operating and adjusting machine tools, including producing or editing CNC programs.
• Measuring and inspecting your work to ensure every component meets exact specifications.
• Identifying issues and supporting continuous improvement to help processes run safely and efficiently.
• Gaining experience with engineering materials, safety procedures and best practice in advanced manufacturing environments.

Qualifications
BTEC Level 3

In years 3 and 4 of your apprenticeship, you could get the option to complete a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Level 5 HND Diploma in General Engineering or even a degree!

Career progression

• Manufacturing Engineer
• Manufacturing Technician
• Team Leader/Supervisor

Engineering Maintenance Technician (Dual Discipline) – Level 3 (ST1443)

Duration: 4 Years

As a Maintenance Apprentice, you’ll support our engineering teams by carrying out maintenance and repair work on a range of industrial machinery.

You’ll spend your first 20 weeks at TDR Training School before joining one of our businesses. From there, you’ll spend four days per week in the factory and attend college one day per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Inspecting, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery and equipment across both electrical and mechanical systems.
• Fault-finding and diagnosing issues using hand tools, digital tools and engineering techniques.
• Working safely by following engineering procedures and maintaining safe practices in busy industrial environments.
• Carrying out planned and reactive maintenance to keep production running efficiently.
• Using technical documents, drawings and data to complete accurate maintenance tasks.
• Gaining experience across a range of engineering environments, such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, processing and advanced engineering.

Qualifications
BTEC Level 3

In years 3 and 4 of your apprenticeship, you could get the option to complete a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, followed by a Level 5 HND Diploma in General Engineering, or even a degree!

Career progression

• Engineering Technician
• Maintenance Engineer/Electrician
• Maintenance Manager
• Production Manager/Director

Engineering Fitter (Assembly, Fitting & Test) – Level 3 (ST0432)

Duration: 4 Years

As a Fitting, Assembly and Test Apprentice, you’ll work with our team of engineers producing complex, high value parts, making sure they meet our customers’ needs.

You’ll spend your first 14 weeks at South Tyneside Marine School before joining one of our businesses. From there, you’ll spend four days per week in the factory and attend college one day per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications to build components and assemblies.
• Making, assembling and adjusting parts, including mechanical components, wiring and pipework.
• Testing and measuring parts and assemblies using tools such as micrometers, verniers and multimeters.
• Identifying and fixing issues using fault-finding techniques to keep assemblies performing correctly.
• Preparing workspaces and equipment safely and working to professional engineering standards.
• Supporting continuous improvement by helping make processes safer, faster and more efficient.

Qualifications
BTEC Level 3

In years 3 and 4 of your apprenticeship, you could get the option to complete a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Level 5 HND Diploma in General Engineering, or even a degree!

Career progression

• Test Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Assembly, Test and Service Technician
• Operational Manager/Supervisor

Engineering Operative (Metal Fabrication Stream) – Level 2 (ST0537)

Duration: 2 Years

As an Apprentice within our Cleat department, you will support the business with the operational requirements of modern integrated engineered production plans and services.

You’ll spend your first 12 weeks at TDR Training School before joining CMP. From there, you’ll spend four days per week in the factory and attend college one day per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Cutting, shaping and forming metal using tools such as saws, grinders, guillotines and folding machines.
• Assisting with basic fabrication and welding to join metal parts and create engineered products.
• Reading simple engineering drawings to understand measurements and build components correctly.
• Using hand tools and workshop equipment safely and confidently as part of your daily tasks.
• Carrying out quality checks to ensure every part meets the required standards.
• Learning about engineering materials and safe working practices to support your development in metal fabrication and manufacturing.

Qualifications
Level 2 Diploma

After the completion of your apprenticeship, you could get the option to complete a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Level 5 HND Diploma in General Engineering, or even a degree!

Career progression

• Cleat Operator
• Welder
• Machine Setter Operator

Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician – Level 3 (ST1395)

Duration: 4 Years

As an Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician, you’ll play a key role in helping engineering teams design, develop, improve and deliver high quality products and processes.

You’ll spend your first 20 weeks at TDR Training School before joining one of our businesses. From there, you’ll spend four days per week in the factory and attend college one day per week.

What you’ll be doing

• Collecting and analysing technical data to support engineers with real manufacturing challenges.
• Testing, measuring and evaluating products or processes using engineering tools and digital systems.
• Helping to identify and improve inefficient processes to make work safer, faster and more effective.
• Creating and updating technical documentation, including drawings, reports and digital models.
• Using engineering software and digital tools to support design, production and quality activities.
• Working with engineers, production teams and suppliers to keep projects progressing smoothly.

Qualifications
BTEC Level 3

After the completion of your apprenticeship, you could get the option to complete a Level 4 HNC Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Level 5 HND Diploma in General Engineering, or even a degree!

Career progression

• Quality Support Technician
• Production Support Technician
• Quality Engineer
• Quality Manager