Engineering Fitter Apprentice (Mechanical)
NORTHERN SWITCHGEAR & CONTROLS LTD
BOLDON COLLIERY (NE35 9PZ)
Closes in 17 days (Monday 15 June 2026)
Posted on 28 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Based on the Boldon Business Park; Boldon Colliery just off the A19, this apprenticeship role is focused on the mechanical assembly and build-up of industrial switchgear cabinets and enclosures.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday (37.5 hours per week). Times to be confirmed.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
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
Northern Switchgear are looking for motivated and hands-on Apprentice Engineering Fitters to join our manufacturing team in Boldon, Tyne and Wear.
- This role is focused on the mechanical assembly and build-up of industrial switchgear cabinets and enclosures
- This is a practical engineering apprenticeship suited to someone who enjoys working with tools, reading drawings, and building high-quality mechanical assemblies
- The role is purely mechanical and does not involve electrical wiring or installation work
Key Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the mechanical assembly of switchgear cabinets and metal enclosures
- Building and fitting cabinet frames, panels, doors, brackets, and mechanical components
- Using hand tools and power tools safely and correctly
- Reading and following engineering drawings and assembly instructions
- Measuring and checking components to ensure quality standards are met
- Supporting senior fitters and production staff with day-to-day manufacturing tasks
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised working environment
- Learning engineering and manufacturing processes as part of the apprenticeship programme
Skills and Qualities Required:
- Interest in mechanical engineering or manufacturing
- Good practical skills and attention to detail
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Positive attitude and good timekeeping
- Basic understanding of tools and workshop environments is beneficial but not essential
What We Offer:
- Full apprenticeship training and support
- Opportunity to gain practical engineering experience
- Career progression within a growing engineering company
- Safe and professional workshop environment
- Competitive apprentice salary and benefits
Where you'll work
UNIT 17
BURFORD WAY
BOLDON BUSINESS PARK
BOLDON COLLIERY
NE35 9PZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TDR TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
Candidates will work towards a Level 3 standard in Engineering Fitter.
End point assessment will take place at the end of the apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Northern Switchgear & Controls Ltd specialise in the design and manufacture of HV/LV packaged sub stations, low voltage electrical switchboards, power distribution units, motor control panels, final power distribution and control equipment. Northern Switchgear & Controls Ltd was founded in 1993 and set out to provide purpose made Low Voltage Switchgear and Control Gear Assemblies for the UK market. Typically these industries require more than a standard system that component manufacturers offer. As our business has grown we have developed an enviable reputation for providing our quality systems and products to organisations and projects both within the UK and internationally with export orders forming a useful percentage of our business. Most recently we have been involved in major projects around the world including work for McDermott Engineering, M W Kellogg, Dupont, Brown & Root and Conoco for Gas Fields, Crude Oil Plants, ESSO, Tyco Thermal Systems, Fluor Intercontinental and USAF. In the UK we supply the Construction, Pharmaceutical, Process, Leisure, Smelting, Marine, MOD, Utility, Electricity Supply, Offshore, Retail, Telecommunications and Commercial Industries. With our dedicated team of experienced engineers we are able to offer total solutions to our client ‘a one stop engineering shop’ whether a standard or purpose made system at a realistic cost. Northern Switchgear & Controls Ltd deliver on time, respond quickly and efficiently to your requirements and believe in working together with all involved to provide value engineered solutions.
After this apprenticeship
Full-time position upon completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TDR TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000297068.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Monday 15 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.