L3 Metal Fabricator/Welder Apprentice
SWANN ENGINEERING GROUP LTD.
Essex (CM7 2YN)
Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026
Posted on 9 March 2026
Contents
Summary
The apprentice will learn and develop skills and knowledge to be able to carry out production welding of mild steel, Fabrication, Health & Safety and Quality responsibilities. They will interpret manufacturing drawings, maintaining production standards and producing consistently accurate work to specification in a timely manner.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:30. With a half hour lunch break 12:30 - 13:00.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
4
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 role responsibilities will include:
- Correctly weld pieces of metal together safely according to drawings
- Safely prepare materials for cutting, drilling and assembling
- Safely use fabrication skills to complete all phases of fabrication
- Understand and carry out Health & Safety responsibilities
- Conducting precise measurements and cutting materials to specified sizes
- Ensuring adherence to quality standards and project specifications
- Interpreting technical drawings for accurate fabrication
- Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement
- Operating and maintaining fabrication machinery and tools
- Assembling and welding components to construct final products using jigs
- Inspecting finished products for quality and making necessary adjustments
- Collaborating with design teams and engineers to optimise fabrication process
Where you'll work
6 Springwood Drive
Springwood Industrial Estate
Braintree
Essex
CM7 2YN
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
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
- The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard
- This apprenticeship will also include Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
- College attendance will be at the Colchester Institute - Colchester Campus one day per week during term time
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Hard working
- Enthusiastic
- Reliable
- Personal accountability
- Willing to listen and learn
- Good literacy and numeracy
- Positive attitude
- Benchmarking
About this employer
Swann Engineering Group is an ethical and forward-thinking group where we want our vision and values to not only shape our people but also the environment around us. Our strength comes from our effective corporate governance, diversity of specialist skills and experience but most of all, our excellence in managing all aspects of the product lifecycle under one roof including design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and customer support.
Swann Engineering Group has a proven track record to tackle bespoke engineering projects of any size in any sector from telecommunications, outdoor media, structural and architectural, floodlighting & gantries and defence and radar solutions.
https://swanngroupltd.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Good long term career prospects
- Competitive pay rates
- Health benefit programme
- Full-time apprenticeship mentor
- Dedicated apprentice workshop and equipment
- Pension scheme
After this apprenticeship
Potential to be a fully qualified Fabricator/Welder within the company.
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 VAC2000014991.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.