Level 2 Engineering Operative and Welding Apprentice

ALLOY FABWELD LTD

Dunmow (CM6 1EU)

Closes in 30 days (Friday 1 May 2026)

Posted on 29 January 2026

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Summary

Gain the foundation knowledge to learn to weld, where you will be part of the team making the products before they are installed on site. What you do matters and working with guidance from your mentor, you are part of the foundation of our business. Our company designs and manufactures a range of architectural metalwork across London.

Wage

£23,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Pay per annum is £23,000 - £25,000. 
  • Contributory pension scheme.
  • 3x salary life insurance (after successful probation).

Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 07:30 - 16:00 with a 1 hour unpaid lunch break each day.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

Day-to-day responsibilities will include:

  • Fabrication of bespoke products & structural steel works with the ability to follow instruction, listen and to learn and develop under the guidance of your mentor and other fabricators.
  • Complete all welding work as required.
  • Set out materials to specified drawings and tack weld.
  • Operate drills, punches and guillotines.
  • Welding using and adhering to welding procedures.
  • Operate safety equipment safely.
  • Work to health and safety standards.
  • Ensuring work meets the required quality level.
  • Ensuring all good working practices and procedures relating to your work are adhered to.
  • Safely operate and be proficient in the use of all shop hand and machine tools.
  • Perform any other tasks deemed within your technical capabilities as required.

Where you'll work

Unit 15-16
Ongar Road Trading Estate, Ongar Road
Dunmow
CM6 1EU

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 operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow procedures in compliance with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in compliance with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area before, during and after the engineering and manufacturing activity.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Read and interpret engineering and manufacturing specifications, drawings and technical information.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Select and use consumables, tools, equipment and machinery for engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Store consumables, tools, equipment and machinery in line with requirements.
  • Apply first line maintenance principles to tools, equipment and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Measure and mark out materials as part of engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Comply with quality assurance requirements and follow monitoring processes.
  • Record information relating to engineering and manufacturing activities, paper based or electronic.
  • Apply continuous improvement (CI) techniques, for example, contribute to the business by identifying possible opportunities for improving working practices, processes or procedures.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing (electronically or paper based) with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
  • Maintenance. Complete maintenance operations in line with maintenance based safe working practices and procedures.
  • Maintenance. Support maintenance operations in line with maintenance plans.
  • Maintenance. Support maintenance operations in line with maintenance strategies.
  • Maintenance. Conduct maintenance testing in line with testing schedules.
  • Maintenance. Use maintenance diagnostic techniques to identify faults.
  • Maintenance. Support maintenance operations related to engineering systems, for example, mechanical systems, electrical systems, fluid power systems.
  • Maintenance. Carry out corrective actions, including assembling and dismantling components, ensuring alignment and tolerance specifications are adhered to.
  • Manufacturing production. Complete manufacturing production operations in line with manufacturing production based safe working practices and procedures.
  • Manufacturing production. Complete manufacturing production operations in line with manufacturing production plans, for example assembly operations.
  • Manufacturing production. Adjust operating parameters during manufacturing production operations to meet specification.
  • Manufacturing production. Identify and select material for manufacturing production operations.
  • Manufacturing production. Set up and operate manual or semi-automated machines, for example, presses, assembly tools, including use of fixtures, jigs and work holding devices.
  • Manufacturing production. Identify faults in manufacturing production operations. For example, components and sub assemblies.
  • Manufacturing production. Carry out quality checks before, during and after manufacturing production operations.
  • Electrical and electronic. Complete electrical and electronic operations in line with electrical and electronic based safe working practices and procedures, including isolation and reinstatement of equipment or systems.
  • Electrical and electronic. Wire and terminate different types of cabling, for example single core, multi core, screened, fire resistant, armoured.
  • Electrical and electronic. Assemble a range of electrical and electronic components, for example component panels, isolator switches, fuses, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, rail mounted terminal blocks, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors.
  • Electrical and electronic. Test electrical and electronic assembles and components, for example component panels, isolator switches, fuses, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, rail mounted terminal blocks, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors.
  • Electrical and electronic. Identify faults within electrical or electronic systems.
  • Fabrication. Complete fabrication operations in line with fabrication based safe working practices and procedures.
  • Fabrication. Mark out and prepare components and assemblies for fabrication operations.
  • Fabrication. Use fabrication, joining and forming techniques to produce components and assemblies in fabrication operations, for example welding, bonding, sheet metal work, bolting, riveting and additive manufacturing.
  • Fabrication. Identify and select material for fabrication operations.
  • Fabrication. Carry out quality checks before, during and after fabrication operations.
  • Machining. Complete machining operations in line with machining based safe working practices and procedures.
  • Machining. Operate manual or CNC machines to complete machining operations.
  • Machining. Set up manual or CNC machines to complete machining operations, including material preparation and component alignment
  • Machining. Identify and select material for machining operations.
  • Machining. Control machining parameters: Adjust speed, feed, depth of cut, and coolant flow.
  • Machining. Select and use appropriate tooling to complete machining operations.
  • Machining. Identify faults within machining operations.
  • Machining. Identify faults with machine, complete routine maintenance activities and follow lubrication schedules.
  • Machining. Monitor machine performs, for example sounds, vibrations and behaviours.
  • Machining. Conduct first-off, in-process & final inspections in relation to machining operations.
  • Apply escalation procedures in relation to faults or issues.
  • Follow procedures in compliance with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in compliance with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Prepare and maintain the work area before, during and after the engineering and manufacturing activity.
  • Follow workplace operating procedures.
  • Read and interpret engineering and manufacturing specifications, drawings and technical information.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Select and use consumables, tools, equipment and machinery for engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Store consumables, tools, equipment and machinery in line with requirements.
  • Apply first line maintenance principles to tools, equipment and machinery. For example, checking tool condition, cleaning, lubrication, visual inspection, tool calibration.
  • Measure and mark out materials as part of engineering and manufacturing activities.
  • Comply with quality assurance requirements and follow monitoring processes.
  • Record information relating to engineering and manufacturing activities, paper based or electronic.
  • Apply continuous improvement (CI) techniques, for example, contribute to the business by identifying possible opportunities for improving working practices, processes or procedures.
  • Communicate verbally with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Communicate in writing (electronically or paper based) with colleagues and supervisors.
  • Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.

Training schedule

  • The apprentice will be working towards the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard - The Welding & Fabrication Pathway (Option 4 Fabrication Role). 
  • This is a 12-18-month duration apprenticeship with college attendance required once per week at Colchester Institute's Braintree Campus, transport from Colchester campus provided.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

maths and English (grade A*-E/9-2)

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

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Must be physically fit as the role will involve some heavy lifting, ability to be on your feet all day and work in a factory location.

Power tools will be an essential part of working.

It will take time to learn the trade and some tasks may seem monotonous, although full exposure to the range of work will be given over time depending on the individual’s ability.

About this employer

At Alloy Fabweld, we specialise in delivering complex architectural metalwork with precision, care and ingenuity. From concept to installation, every element is designed and manufactured in-house at our solar-powered facility, ensuring complete control, consistent quality and a commitment to sustainability. Trusted by leading contractors and architects across the UK, we make metal work harder, smarter and safer.

http://www.alloyfabweld.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Up to 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (Pro rata).
  • Access to Health Hero 24/7 GP service.
  • Employee Assistance helpline.
  • Long service/employee of the month awards.

After this apprenticeship

  • To become a permanent member of the team, with opportunities to progress into other roles and further training and development opportunities.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009082.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Friday 1 May 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.