Apprentice Lean Manufacturing Operative

ASHFEN WINDOWS AND DOORS LTD

DERBY (DE24 8HJ)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 22 December 2025

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Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our company as an Apprentice Lean Manufacturing Operative. As part of the role you will learn a variety of skills, such as fabricating uPVC windows and doors, prepping and hanging composite doors and learning to use a range of different machinery. 

Wage

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Regular wage reviews dependent on skill and performance. Annual holiday allowance.

Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7am– 3:30pm. Occasional overtime offered during the week and at weekends.

40 hours a week

Start date

Saturday 31 January 2026

Duration

1 year

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

  • Fabricating uPVC windows and doors to worksheet specifications, including, but not limited to, cutting profile, welding, assembling gearing, prepping and routing out for trickle vents, hanging sashes, cutting panels
  • Fabricating our flagship, superior mechanically-jointed flush casement windows
  • Prepping and hanging composite doors, and fitting door furniture
  • Using a range of machinery and hand tools safely
  • Manually checking work to ensure accuracy throughout manufacturing, prior to completion, and prior to customer collection/delivery
  • Safe handling of large completed frames and glass units
  • Assisting in loading up for customer collections and deliveries
  • Stock checking and ensuring stock levels remain topped up at all times
  • Communicating difficulties, issues and mistakes to the warehouse manager to ensure a swift resolution
  • Collaboration with colleagues and managers to troubleshoot difficulties and find solutions
  • Maintaining a clean and organised work area at all times
  • Maintaining and championing our high standards at all times
  • Occasional on-site installation support

Where you'll work

UNIT 15
DUNSTALL PARK ROAD
DERBY
DE24 8HJ

Training

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

Training provider

DCG

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade E/2)
  • Maths (grade E/2)

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
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Punctual
  • Passion for learning
  • Independent learning

Other requirements

If we are interested in taking your application further, you will receive an email from a derby college email address (@derby-college.ac.uk). Please make sure that you check your inbox as well as your spam/junk folders, so you do not miss out on the opportunity to apply.

About this employer

Ashfen Windows and Doors are a small business located in a well-known industrial area within Derby. We manufacture high quality uPVC windows and doors within our own unit, and supply to both trade and retail customers. We also install, and are FENSA registered. We have a select range of supplier partners for items that we don’t currently manufacture ourselves. We’re a small team, and our relationships with our staff, customers and suppliers are paramount to us.

http://www.ashfenwindowsanddoors.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

The fenestration industry is fast becoming a fully automated industry for many companies, and there remains a demand, particularly within the heritage market, for individuals with finely tuned hand skills, for example, those involved in the manufacturing of handmade mechanical joints (as opposed to those welded on a machine). Being skilled in this task, and understanding the finer processes involved in making windows and doors to a very high standard, would set an apprentice up for future quality control and general manager positions. We’d be very keen here at Ashfen to develop any individual who progresses successfully through their apprenticeship with us into a more senior role within our company.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DCG

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005743.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)