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Production Technician Apprentice PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED

Waterside Training in partnership with Pilkington UK Limited has an exciting opportunity for 2 individuals to join as Manufacturing Production Technicians, you will work with the production team on the Manufacturing sites. You will receive full on site training in glass production and qualifications while fully employed as a Production Technician.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 28 Apr 2023

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £10,296.00

    £10,296 pa raising to £18,589 pa depending on age (to be reviewed in April 2023)

  • Working week

    Site based - Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm Day Release: Waterside - Day to be confirmed 8:45am to 4:30pm

    Total hours per week: 37.5

  • Expected duration

    3 Years

  • Possible start date

    04 Sep 2023

  • Date posted

    23 Jan 2023

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000124661

  • Positions

    2 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

The three-year manufacturing apprenticeship will cover academic training day release whilst attending the St Helens plants to gain site based experience alongside professional technicians tackling “real life” activities.   Pilkington UK Limited has two sites in St Helens, which you will be required to work between on a rotational basis at both Greengate Works (WA9 5DZ) and Cowley Hill Works (WA10 2RZ).

This development opportunity will cover all aspects of our glass manufacturing processes, including time spent in the following areas:

  • Hot End of Float glass line (raw materials, melting, forming, annealing)
  • Cold End of Float glass line (cutting, snapping, stacking, glass transporting)
  • Online Coatings at Float line (chemical vapour deposition, value added product range)
  • Offline Coating process (value-added glass processing line)

The candidates will gain knowledge of basic mechanical and electrical engineering principles, leadership skills, quality control, health and safety training, and exposure to non-operational functions (Planning, Finance, Commercial) at our world- class manufacturing facilities. 

To become a Manufacturing Technician, you need to have a good understanding of Engineering techniques to be able to resolve problems with machinery and or production processes as you very often assist with product changeover and first line maintenance activities.

Alongside the workplace learning and development, formal qualifications will be offered through Waterside Training, in conjunction with St Helens College starting with a City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering working up to HNC in Manufacture.

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

  • During your site based activities, you may occasionally be exposure to hot working environments and dusty areas due to the nature of the process
  • You may be required to complete some shift work covering 12 hours days/nights on a rotating 4-on, 4-off basis
  • You will need to be 16 to attend site and 18 to complete night shifts.   The site operates a number of large vehicles including Fork Lift Trucks of which you may be required to complete the necessary training to obtain a license to drive
  • Additional Training such as Health and safety, De-fib, First Aid, Vehicle, Technical, Leadership training all provided by the business
  • The ideal candidate should be committed and interested in a career in Manufacture who is driven to succeed and grow in a fast pace environment to join our apprenticeships to become the next highly skilled technicians of the future
  • Pilkington UK Limited has two sites in St Helens, which you will be required to work between on a rotational basis at both Greengate Works (WA9 5DZ) and Cowley Hill Works (WA10 2RZ)
  • You will be site based with day release to Waterside Training for your academic day.  You must be able to travel to both Pilkington Sites and Waterside Training for this position
  • You will acheive a level 3 City & Guilds qualification with the option of a HNC in Manufacturing

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

  • Opportunities to progress to Process Operator (Hot End or Cold End at Greengate) or Utility Team Technician (Greengate and Cowley Hill) or Off-Line Process Technician (Cowley Hill). Further Progression and development to Team Leader and management positions with the opportunity to study further qualifications such as HNC and HND
  • Funding for degrees is available, subject to business requirements in later stages of your career

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Problem solving skills, Logical, Team working, Initiative

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Science (Grade 4) Essential
GCSE or equivalent Engineering (Grade 4) Desired

Things to consider

This would be a three-year apprenticeship programme. This programme may contain a shift pattern in the latter stages of your apprenticeship involving shifts covering 12 hours days/nights on a rotating 4-on, 4-off basis. All our permanent Production roles are on 12 hour day and night shifts.

About the employer

As a member of the NSG Group, Pilkington United Kingdom Limited is one of the leading glass suppliers in the UK. We manufacture, process and distribute glass in the UK under the Pilkington brand name, using the most advanced glass and coating technology. We offer a wide range of innovative flat glass solutions for the construction industry and we also manufacture and supply products for non-building related applications such as digital signage, and display using products such as Pilkington OptiView™ and Pilkington MirroView™.

Employer

PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED

Address

Green Gate Works

Sherdley Road

St. Helens

WA9 5DZ

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Training

Training provider

ST HELENS COLLEGE

Contact

Michelle Lewis

mlewis@waterside-training.co.uk

01744616837

Apprenticeship standard

Science industry maintenance technician

Level 3 (A level)

Employer's Application Instructions

Apply through Waterside Training website. Application form will be reviewed and you will be contacted to discuss the next stage of the recruitment process if your application form is accepted.

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.

Apply now

Closing date: 28 Apr 2023