26-0020 Apprentice Technical Support Technician
Niftylift Ltd
Barnsley (S74 9TF)
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
Posted on 5 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The candidate will look at all technical aspects of Engineering within our site in Hoyland, which could include: Quality, Design and/or Production Engineering. This means that the successful candidate will receive a comprehensive overview of Niftylift’s operations in Hoyland.
- Wage
-
£16,640 a year
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
You will work Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times, including your shift pattern, will be determined by the employing company.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- 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
Role & responsibilities:
Design Engineer Roles
- Innovative and comprehensive design to improve manufacturing processes at our site in Hoyland
- Detail design support within project teams, ensuring aesthetic, robust, quality design solutions are achieved through utilisation of a wide range of materials and manufacturing methods
- Fully competent usage of the full range of tools incorporated within Pro Engineer 3D CAD package
- Support the manufacture of the company’s existing and new product range through generating effective engineering information / systems / manufacturing processes / BOM’s and system troubleshooting / diagnostic
Quality Control & Engineer Roles
- To effectively and efficiently control and administer the company’s quality control systems in line with ISO9001, TUV and other company-defined standards
- Process all non-conformities through the internal / external quality note system, including identification of agreed preventative actions
- Provide and manage a framework for the Warranty Returns and Customer Complaints through the company’s 8D system
- Provide hands-on technical assistance for component field failures, ensuring parts are diagnostic / analysed and project managed through preventative design, supply or build action
- Conduct Supplier Evaluation Audits and development programs
- Responsible for establishing trends, corrective and preventative actions to support both Niftylift internal and external supply chain
- Development of robust machine testing procedures and inspection, including hands-on hot testing
Production Engineering
- Support the manufacture of the company’s existing and new product range through generating effective engineering information/systems/manufacturing processes and facilities in accordance with Health and Safety legislation
- Help to implement a successful Lean Manufacturing culture, focusing on continual improvement and the elimination/reduction of all wastes by educating the business and removing non-value-added waste from the business processes
- Supporting the development of and integration of automated processes, through programming, system management and optimised workflow methods connected to Lean Manufacturing and Niftylift Workshop Standards
The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your changing role and the organisation’s overall business objectives. This may include the training and mentoring of colleagues.
Where you'll work
Platts Common Industrial Estate
Mason Way
Hoyland
Barnsley
S74 9TF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- 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
You will study on a Level 3 Engineering and manufacturing support technician apprenticeship. On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Level 3 standard.
During the first year of the apprenticeship, your learning will take place at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre based at Catcliffe, Rotherham, for an initial block of study on a full-time basis. After that, you will attend the Training Centre for one day a week for knowledge study.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4)
- Mathematics (grade 4)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
About this employer
Niftylift is one of the largest mobile elevating work platform* (MEWP) manufacturers in Europe and sells its market-leading products worldwide. We specialise in compact, low-weight articulating booms that offer maximum performance with minimal environmental impact.
We use advanced 3D-modelling software together with rigorous testing to optimise every aspect of our product design and to ensure that every Niftylift work platform delivers outstanding performance without compromising on functionality or reliability.
With years of experience designing machines for the rental industry, we understand the importance of reliability, ease of operation, minimal maintenance, and excellent after-sales support to our customers.
Through investment in staff, manufacturing equipment and technology, we maintain an ongoing commitment to our customers to consistently produce high-quality innovative products that meet or exceed their expectations.
* Also known as cherry pickers.
After this apprenticeship
Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world. These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013335.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.