Apprentice Engineer – Forklift Maintenance & Repair

DAWSONRENTALS MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT LIMITED

Leeds (LS25 2ET)

Closes in 24 days (Wednesday 9 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 June 2025

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Summary

Keen to get your hands dirty and kickstart a proper engineering career? Got a knack for fixing things and want to learn from the best in the business? This is your chance to dive into a real-world workshop, earn while you learn, and build a solid future in forklift and equipment engineering.

Wage

£15,704 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)

£7.55 - £12.60 per hour depending on age.

Training course
Lift truck and powered access engineering technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 4pm with 30 minute lunch break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 4 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

What you’ll be doing:

  • Learning the ropes from seasoned engineers, supporting with fault-finding, servicing and repairs on our fleet of materials handling equipment (mainly forklift trucks).
  • Getting to grips with real kit – from tools and diagnostics to maintenance reports and workshop routines.
  • Keeping your workspace tidy, safe, and ready for action.
  • Developing the know-how to fix things properly, the first time around.
  • Attending formal off-site training to gain industry-recognised qualifications.

We're on the lookout for an Apprentice Engineer to join our busy Garforth workshop. You’ll get full training in-house and through a specialist training provider – so no experience necessary, just bring your curiosity, a solid work ethic, and a love for problem-solving.

 

Where you'll work

Aberford Rd
Garforth
Leeds
LS25 2ET

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE SMB GROUP

Your training course

Lift truck and powered access engineering technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards relevant to lift truck or powered access machines.
  • Obtain and interpret lift truck and powered access machine technical data and repair instructions.
  • Use tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment when carrying out maintenance and repairs.
  • Perform preventative maintenance activities on lift truck and powered access machines.
  • Perform inspections on lift truck and powered access machines in compliance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) regulations.
  • Remove and replace mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components.
  • Apply diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to diagnose faults on lift truck or powered access machine systems.
  • Carry out functional testing and quality checks on repaired lift truck or powered access machine components and systems.
  • Carry out repairs and make required adjustments.
  • Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, work sheets, checklists.
  • Check and maintain stock.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Prepare and maintain a clean, tidy and safe working area.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, in compliance with quality, safety, sustainability and environmental standards and guidance.
  • Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Store and maintain tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment for maintenance and repairs.
  • Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards relevant to lift truck or powered access machines.
  • Obtain and interpret lift truck and powered access machine technical data and repair instructions.
  • Use tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment when carrying out maintenance and repairs.
  • Perform preventative maintenance activities on lift truck and powered access machines.
  • Perform inspections on lift truck and powered access machines in compliance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) regulations.
  • Remove and replace mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components.
  • Apply diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to diagnose faults on lift truck or powered access machine systems.
  • Carry out functional testing and quality checks on repaired lift truck or powered access machine components and systems.
  • Carry out repairs and make required adjustments.
  • Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, work sheets, checklists.
  • Check and maintain stock.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Prepare and maintain a clean, tidy and safe working area.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, in compliance with quality, safety, sustainability and environmental standards and guidance.
  • Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Store and maintain tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment for maintenance and repairs.

Your training plan

What you’ll get in return:

  • Hands-on training alongside experienced engineers.
  • A nationally recognised qualification in Forklift Truck Maintenance & Repair.
  • A pathway to become a fully qualified Engineer within a supportive team.
  • A secure, long-term career in an essential industry.
  • The chance to make a real impact from day one.
  • Block release training to Stephenson Campus, Coalville.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/C)

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
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills

About this company

Dawsongroup material handling is a national provider of commercial vehicle rental and contract hire solutions, offering a challenging and empowering place to work. Whether you have experience in the industry or not, joining the material handling team is a great step for any career.

After this apprenticeship

Dawsongroup plc is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the continuous improvement and satisfaction of our employees, and as such, training and ongoing development are readily available, as well as a competitive wage and an excellent benefits package. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE SMB GROUP

Apprenticeship Department

apprenticeships@smbgroup.ac.uk

01530519001

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000325161.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Wednesday 9 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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