Apprentice Technical Support Technician
Precision Aerospace Component Engineering Ltd
BRAINTREE (CM7 2QJ)
Closes in 13 days (Friday 8 August 2025)
Posted on 24 July 2025
Contents
Summary
The purpose of this role is to provide specialist technical support in order that PACE can develop, produce or test new/existing products, processes, or procedures to meet customer specifications in terms of quality, cost and delivery, as efficiently and effectively as possible.
- 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)
Wage will be above NMW for apprentices, to be discussed at interview.
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 7:30am – 4pm, Friday 7:30am – 13:30pm. 20 minute paid break.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 September 2025
- Duration
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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
The Technical Support Technician will gather information and data from a range of sources and analyse the information/data. The apprentice will be able to problem-solve in accordance with AS13000 and produce and/or update technical documentation, reports or specifications covering areas such as quality, production or other technical documentation that informs others, either internally or externally, about what needs to be done, such as how a product must be manufactured, tested, modified, maintained, stored, transported.
In their daily work, they will interact with their line manager to confirm departmental programmes of work and to agree individual responsibilities. This, in turn, will align with an overarching company resource and delivery plan. The role will entail working with engineering and/or manufacturing teams at an operational level, such as with Manufacturing Engineers and/or management level. You will also be liaising with internal colleagues. You will also be responsible for working directly with customers and/or suppliers or with representatives from appropriate regulatory bodies. Typically, this would involve interaction with auditors to demonstrate compliance to specific organisational or regulatory requirements (such as the Civil Aviation Authority), Certification Bodies such as BSI for compliance to the companies' Quality Management systems.
The role will have responsibility in conjunction with Production and Quality Managers for the quality, safety and delivery of the manufactured product or service, ensuring it is delivered to the customer on time at the agreed cost. They will typically report to an engineering or manufacturing manager as part of a cross-functional team. The size of this team and its responsibilities will vary depending on the size of the employer. Although working within defined quality processes and procedures. The use of a range of tools and techniques to support decision-making and solve problems that are often complex and non-routine. Also, they have a responsibility to identify and contribute to making improvements such as business processes, procedures, and methods of working.
General / Health & Safety Responsibilities:
- Comply with business procedures and policies.
- Dispose of waste materials in a safe, hygienic & environmentally conscious manner.
- Always wear the correct PPE, including safety glasses, safety shoes/boots and appropriate gloves & face mask when handling such items as: sharp materials, swarf, chemicals, oils.
- Ensure machines and surrounding areas are free from hazards such as swarf, oils, coolant, obstructions etc. during and after maintenance activities.
Where you'll work
11 BLACKWELL DRIVE
BRAINTREE
CM7 2QJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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
- The Apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard.
- Qualifications include the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies.
- College attendance will be at Colchester Institute (Colchester Campus) one day per week.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 5 GCSEs including English (grade 9-4/A*-C)
- maths (grade 9-5/A*-B)
Desirable qualifications
BTEC 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Can-do attitude
- Willingness to learn
Other requirements
The role will be working on site. Some work undertaken will be outside but mainly in the Quality Assurance Area, or in the Factory Units 1 & 2.
About this employer
Manufacturer of precision components for the aerospace industry using various CNC machines. PACE is a privately-owned UK company and for more than 30 years has been engaged in the manufacture for components for the aerospace and defence industries. We specialise in the production of simple and medium complexity machined parts to AS9100revD industry quality standards. Our components can be found in actuators, filter systems, motors, generators and engines flying on many of the world’s most advanced commercial airliners and fixed and rotary wing military aircraft. Our range of CNC machines enables us to handle most manufacturing processes, from simple 5-axis milling, in all grade metals. We turn and mill precision components from a comprehensive range of aerospace materials to diameters of between 1mm and 250mm, within most exacting tolerances. We expanded the manufacturing output by opening an additional 3,500 sq.ft manufacturing unit. This added 35% to our manufacturing floor space and is geared to the manufacture of high-volume aviation parts.
https://pace-ltd.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
The role could eventually become a management role and be responsible for a department.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206 712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333644.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 8 August 2025)
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