Sheet Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship

YAMAZAKI MAZAK U.K. LIMITED

Worcester (WR4 9NF)

Closes on Friday 13 March 2026

Posted on 22 December 2025

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Summary

An opportunity to join the world leader in machine tools. Attending a Training Centre alongside hands-on involvement in the workplace with experienced members of staff that are willing to pass their knowledge on to the next generation. You will learn the application of welding, laser cutting and metal folding within a modern sheet metal department.

Wage

£15,600 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Your normal rate of pay will be reviewed annually on the anniversary of your appointment.

Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Hours
During your apprenticeship normal working hours will be from 08:15 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, but can be adjusted starting as early as 07:45. Once you are qualified you will move on to shift work, 05:30 - 13:30pm and 14:00 to 22:30.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

3

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

  • Learning the application of welding
  • Laser cutting
  • Metal folding to produce machine tool claddings
  • An apprentice in this area will learn the full skills and operations of a modern sheet metal producing department

Where you'll work

Badgeworth Drive
Worcester
WR4 9NF

Training

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

Training provider

HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Training course

Metal fabricator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
  • Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
  • Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
  • Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
  • Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
  • Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
  • Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
  • Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
  • Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
  • Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
  • Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
  • Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
  • Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
  • Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
  • Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
  • Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
  • Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
  • Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
  • Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
  • Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
  • Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
  • Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.

Training schedule

  • Formal training is delivered at HWGTA, located in Worcester (WR4 9GN)
  • Duration approximately 40-45 months

Year 1:

Between 22–39 weeks are spent at HWGTA Training Centre developing practical engineering skills, alongside one day per week in the classroom, completing the theoretical elements of the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

Year 2:

Predominantly based in your company, returning to the Training Centre one day per week to continue and complete the specialised elements of their Level 3 Diploma (Development Knowledge)

Years 3 - 4:

Based full-time in your company, developing practical skills and knowledge in preparation for the End Point Assessment to gain your Metal Fabricator Level 3

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
  • Mathematics (grade A*-C/ 5-9)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Design and Technology (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
  • Engineering (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
  • Resistant Materials (grade A*-C/ 4-9)

BTEC in:

Engineering (grade Pass)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Demonstrate Practical ability
  • Hardworking
  • Self-motivated
  • Good time management
  • Work well under pressure

About this employer

Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd is based at the European manufacturing plant in Worcester, which also houses the European Technology Centre (ETC) and gives customers direct access to support from the UK’s largest and most expert team of engineers, with vast experience in machine tool applications for almost every industry sector. Our European Manufacturing Plant is not just a machine tool assembly plant. We pride ourselves in managing a complete operation. We machine our castings, we make our own spindles, our own turrets, our own tool magazines and our own sheet metal covers. We’re committed to manufacturing in Europe and have continually invested in new machinery and equipment for the factory since its opening in 1987.

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

Company benefits

Include:

25 days holiday each year plus statutory and public holidays.

A company pension scheme.

Life assurance to the value of four times your annual salary.

Private medical insurance scheme.

After this apprenticeship

  • Specialisation in a core module
  • HNC/Level 4 Apprenticeship recommendations based upon college feedback and grades, general attitude, application, timekeeping, etc. Foundation Degree or Management qualifications
  • Team Leaders in Machining, SMD and Assembly
  • Supervisors in Machining, SMD and Assembly
  • Application Engineers
  • Production Engineers
  • European Engineering and Automated Solutions Engineers
  • Quality Inspectors
  • Service Engineers

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006162.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 13 March 2026