Mechanical Pipe Fitting Apprentice

Summary

Are you looking for a hands-on, rewarding career where you can learn valuable skills and build a strong future? This Pipefitting Apprenticeship is open to everyone; and we strongly encourage women to apply.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Hours

Monday- Thursday 7.30am- 4pm Friday 7.30am- 1.30pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 4 August 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

10

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

Provide the enthusiasm and energy to ensure that Merit successfully fulfils its objectives and long term strategy. The key objectives of the role are to:

Lay out, assemble, install and maintain pipe systems, pipe supports and related hydraulic and pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, sprinkling and industrial production and processing systems
Position, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems that carry water, steam, fuel or chemicals for heating, cooling or lubricating
To be trained to perform duties to the same high level as other Pipefitters within Merit

Duties and Responsibilities:

The role is focused at achieving results in a consistent manner to a defined quality.

Specific duties will include assisting with:

Assembling and securing pipes, tubes, fittings and related equipment, according to specifications, by welding, brazing, cementing, soldering and threading joints
Attaching pipes to walls, structures and fixtures such as radiators or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools or welding equipment
Inspecting, examining and testing installed systems and pipelines using a pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation or other alternative methods
Measuring and marking pipes for cutting and threading
Laying out full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, and related equipment following blueprints
Planning pipe system layout, installation, or repair according to specifications
Selecting pipe sizes, types and related materials such as supports, hangers and hydraulic cylinders
Installing automatic controls used to regulate pipe systems
Turn on valves to shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections using valve keys or wrenches
Removing and replacing worn components
Operating motorized pumps to remove water from flooded manholes, basements, or facility floors
Connecting the pipe to the source, testing the flow and performing repair and maintenance as necessary
Coordinating with the site manager to configure pipe system layouts
Cutting, threading and hammering pipes according to pipe system specs
Securing pipes to walls and fixtures using brackets, clamps, tools or welding equipment
Removing water from flooded manholes and basements
Repairing cracks and leaks
Performing other duties in accordance with business needs

Where you'll work

Nelson Way West End
Cramlington
NE23 1WG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TDR TRAINING LIMITED

Your 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.

Your training plan

The practical training shall start in August 2025 at the TDR Training School in Longbenton
The BTec Level 3 shall start at TDR in Septmeber

More training information

The apprenticeship starts will be thoughout the Summer
The apprentice will be coming to TDR from 4th August for practical training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

maths and English (grade grade 4 minimum)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Physical fitness

About this company

Merit leads the way in offsite construction, delivering high-quality, innovative solutions for Healthcare, Life Science, Education, and Manufacturing. Every project is precisely tailored to meet your industry’s needs—no guesswork involved. We’ve redefined pre-assembled offsite solutions, combining cutting-edge design with exceptional durability and precision. Our advanced construction techniques ensure a 60-year lifespan for your facility, with minimal need for replacements. Our healthcare construction meet the highest Health Building Notes (HBN) and Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) standards, creating safe, welcoming spaces for healing. These aren’t just structures – they’re sanctuaries for patients and healthcare professionals alike. Based in Cramlington they operate from 3 sites. The two manufacturing sites have engineering capability to provide a unique and complex product. We offer tailored solutions that enable seamless expansion with minimal disruption. Whether it’s an ICU, hospital build, wards or operating theatre, we bring your vision to life.

https://www.merit.co.uk/sectors (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

On completion of the apprenticeship you will be a time served Pipe Fitter

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