Level 3 Plate Welding Apprenticeship - Komatsu

KOMATSU UK LIMITED

County Durham (DH3 2QX)

Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)

Posted on 2 March 2026

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Summary

Our Apprentice Programme is well established and we are proud to provide guidance, support and growth opportunities to help the success and development of our employees who began their career on the Apprentice Programme. We have a strong ethos of continuous improvement and welcome ideas and suggestions from our employees. 

• Wage:

  £17,198 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary is £17,198 with regular increases

• Training course: Plate welder (level 3)
• Hours: To be confirmed.

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  3 years

• Positions available:

  2

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

• How to work safely
• How to weld large steel components to a high quality standard
• How to operate machinery such as overhead cranes, air tools and manipulators
• How to follow work procedures and drawings
• Team work and continuous improvement

Where you'll work

Durham Road
Birtley
Chester Le Street
County Durham
DH3 2QX

Training

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

Training provider

NCG

Training course

Plate welder (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
• Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
• Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
• Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
• Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
• Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
• Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
• 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.
• Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
• Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
• Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
• Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
• Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
• Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
• Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
• Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
• Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
• Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
• Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
• 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.
• Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
• Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
• Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
• Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
• Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)

Training schedule

• You will spend four days each week in the Fabrication Department and the remaining day each week you will be at Newcastle College Energy Academy in Wallsend
• In conjunction with Newcastle College you will work to achieve an NVQ Level 3 Plate Welder and Advanced Apprenticeship

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

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
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Reliable
• Interest in Welding

About this employer

Komatsu is an international leader in the field of construction and mining equipment. The Company headquarters are in Tokyo and we employ around 65,000 people worldwide. We have a history of over 100 years “creating value together” through quality, technology and manufacturing innovation. Komatsu UK Ltd is based in Birtley, close to Gateshead, and employs over 400 people engaged in the design and
manufacture of medium-sized hydraulic excavators.

Company benefits

• 26 days holiday each year
• Company Gym
• Better Health at Work Programme
• Active Sports and Social Club with charity fundraising opportunities
• Opportunities for learning and development throughout your career

After this apprenticeship

• There will be the opportunity to secure permanent employment on successful completion of the Apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NCG

Komatsu

HRTeam.UK@komatsu.eu

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018275.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)

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