Apprentice Metallurgist - Forge
SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS ENGINEERING LIMITED
South Yorkshire (S9 2RW)
Closes in 23 days (Tuesday 10 March 2026)
Posted on 13 February 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Forge Metallurgist Apprentice, you will develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to support all aspects of forging operations.
- Wage
-
£18,700.50 a year
- Training course
- Materials science technologist (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 7:45am till 4pm, may include some evenings depending on production.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 24 August 2026
- Duration
-
4 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
The role focusses on maintaining strong technical control within the forge, providing support to Operations, Projects, Commercial and Inspection teams, and assisting with critical stages of the manufacturing process, including forging and heat-treatment activities involving hot metal. You will help arrange mechanical testing, create and review process procedures, mark out test material, raise test orders and ensure all technical documentation is accurate and controlled.
The position involves supporting customer orders through effective project coordination, liaising with clients both on-site and off-site, and working closely with other departments to organise inspection visits and manage contractor interactions. You will contribute to technical reviews of customer enquiries, generate NCRs and CARs, and attend departmental and customer meetings as required. As part of your development, you will also provide input into new product and process improvements while ensuring all work complies with Health & Safety and environmental standards. This role requires strong attention to detail, a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to learning within a highly technical and fast-paced environment.
Where you'll work
PO BOX 286
Brightside Lane
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S9 2RW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Training course
Materials science technologist (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Utilise cognitive and practical skills in conjunction with adaptability and versatility in technical support both in-house and to clients to improve manufacturing processes, problem solving, innovation, and scale up formulations.
- Determine and use industry standard and emerging digital technologies and data analysis tools to complete work activities and address problems that are ill defined or involve numerous interacting factors.
- Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications.
- Conduct and interpret failure analysis of engineering components using relevant methodologies and systems such as but not limited to, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
- Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports.
- Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback.
- Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
- Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline.
- Utilise emotional intelligence and identify a range of supervisory, management, and leadership skills in developing the ability to mentor, direct or lead teams or individuals.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing.
- Utilise cognitive and practical skills in conjunction with adaptability and versatility in technical support both in-house and to clients to improve manufacturing processes, problem solving, innovation, and scale up formulations.
- Determine and use industry standard and emerging digital technologies and data analysis tools to complete work activities and address problems that are ill defined or involve numerous interacting factors.
- Critically evaluate actions, methodologies, and results and their implications in analysing materials against parameters in product specifications.
- Conduct and interpret failure analysis of engineering components using relevant methodologies and systems such as but not limited to, for example, microscopy, macroscopy, and chemical analysis.
- Write clear and succinct technical and analytical reports.
- Research, adapt and test new technologies through materials characterisation feedback.
- Interpret, develop and implement UK and international materials standards, procedures and specifications across a range of operations and contexts.
- Maintain a working knowledge of a range of project management and financial management techniques to complete projects relevant to their discipline.
- Utilise emotional intelligence and identify a range of supervisory, management, and leadership skills in developing the ability to mentor, direct or lead teams or individuals.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language register both verbally and in writing.
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Reliable
- Enthusiastic
- Eager to learn
- Positive attitude
- Time management
- Self-motivated
Other requirements
Gain standard security clearance including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Pass a pre-placement medical with our on-site occupational health department.
About this employer
We manufacture some of the world’s largest steel castings and forgings, ranging from 1 to 350 tonnes. You don’t need to be a metallurgist expert to know that is really big and really heavy! When it comes to steel production anything that’s heavy and technically complex is where we add real value to our customers. We produce a wide range of products for mills and presses, nuclear, defence, power generation, offshore oil and gas and materials processing industries. It is this diversity of products that allows us to offer a number of different opportunities across our business. Check out our website for more information and images of the exciting work we do here. We have a long and established history within Sheffield spanning over 170 years…. In 2021 we were acquired by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). This has given our business a new focus, marking an exciting and monumental time for our future. We have also secured over £400m of new investment over the next 10 years to support our defence-critical assets, including plans for a new heavy forge line and building, a flood alleviation scheme and major machine tool replacements. There really is no better time to join us!
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and competency review, it would be expected the individual will move into a full-time role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015443.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Tuesday 10 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.