Level 2 Engineering Operative: Welding & Fabrication Apprentice

RANSOMES JACOBSEN LIMITED

Suffolk (IP3 9TT)

Closes on Friday 15 May 2026

Posted on 10 February 2026

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Summary

The Engineering Operative Apprentice will work alongside experienced colleagues, learning the fundamentals of welding, both practical and academic. Gaining job-specific knowledge/skills to shape steel components with the aid of thermal cutting equipment, a range of machinery used in bending, folding and cutting metal plate and pipe.

Wage

£17,238 a year

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Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday from 6:30am - 2:48pm, with a 10-minute break at 10am and a 30-minute set lunch at 12pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 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

The company are continuing to develop their apprenticeship programme and are looking to recruit a Level 2 Engineering Operative: Welding & Fabrication Apprentice for our Manufacturing Facilities at Ipswich. The role will include the following:

  • Correct use of safety equipment including PPE (personal protective equipment), RPE (respiratory protective equipment) and LEV (local exhaust ventilation).
  • Produce a range of welded assemblies to include butt welds and fillet welds using both MIG (metal inert gas) and TIG (tungsten inert gas) on thin sheet and plate metal.
  • Grinding using bench and hand-held grinders.
  • Metal finishing using shot blasters.
  • EH&S training

Ransomes Factory Tour for prospective Apprentices, Thursday 19th March 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm.

If you would like to come along for a tour of our plant, discuss apprenticeships and to see where you could be working, please contact Jo Barber to reserve your space. Email: jbarber@textron.com or Call 01473 276271. Parents welcome too! Only available by booking in advance.

Where you'll work

West Road
Ransomes Europark
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 9TT

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)

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:

3 GCSE's including maths and English (grade A*-D/9-3)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Physical fitness
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Keen to learn
  • Keen to engage
  • Ambitious
  • Conscientious
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Enthusiastic
  • Self motivated
  • Punctual time-keeping
  • Practical skills

Other requirements

  • You will be required to attend Braintree Campus 1 day/week (Transport is provided between Colchester Institute & Braintree campus).
  • There is no working away, and the shift is as detailed.
  • Full laundered workwear service & corporate tee shirts & sweatshirts provided FOC.
  • All PPE provided including safety footwear.

About this employer

Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., one of the world’s best known multi-industry companies who are recognised for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, E-Z-GO, and many more. At our Turf Centre of Excellence in Ipswich, Suffolk, Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd design and manufacture Jacobsen and Ransomes turf maintenance equipment that is trusted on some of the finest formal turf areas around the world. From parks and sports grounds, to highways and fine lawns, our extensive range of equipment is built for every environment. Proudly nurturing steel through to finished products in the first factory for motorised mowers in the world, Ransomes supports hundreds of skilled professionals who bring our mowers to life through expertise gained over three centuries. We combine this ongoing legacy with innovation to cut a new path in research and development of clean green alternative energy technology.

https://www.ransomes.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

A monthly allowance is paid alongside salary for training/travel.

After this apprenticeship

  • Successful completion of the apprenticeship course could lead to a permanent role working within the Factory.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014066.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 15 May 2026

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