Welder/Fabricator Apprenticeship
MANOR MARINE UK LIMITED
DORSET (DT5 1PB)
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026
Posted on 2 March 2026
Contents
Summary
This apprenticeship provides hands-on training and practical experience in steel and aluminium fabrication and engineering. Working alongside experienced professionals to develop technical skills and industry knowledge. You will work on a wide range of steel and aluminium projects, including new builds and bespoke fabrication work.
- Wage
-
£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Plate welder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday: 8am to 4.30pm
Tuesday to Friday: 8am to 4pm
(2 days per week at Coastland College, term-time only)
38 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
- Assistance with general welding and fabrication tasks.
- Learning how to work with a variety of different materials and safe working practices.
- Learning to read technical drawings and weld specifications.
- Working on and developing an array of applicable engineering skills.
Where you'll work
PORTLAND PORT BUS. CENTRE
CASTLETOWN
PORTLAND
DORSET
DT5 1PB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEYMOUTH COLLEGE
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
The Plate Welder Apprentice will work towards a L3 Plate Welder qualification via Coastland College and will at the same time have formal training delivered by Manor Marine UK Limited.
Requirements
Desirable 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
Other requirements
You must be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship. You will be required to attend an interview and assessment at Coastland College to ensure you meet the relevant entry requirements for this apprenticeship. If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
About this employer
Join one of the UK’s leading marine engineering companies. Work on steel and aluminium projects including new builds, offsite engineering, and custom fabrication. No two days are the same.
Established in 1981, Manor Marine is recognised as a premium marine engineering and shipbuilding company located in Portland Port, Dorset, on the UK’s beautiful Jurassic Coast. With over four decades of experience, we deliver high-quality vessel construction, service, refit, repair, and fabrication services across a variety of sectors such as offshore energy, defence, law enforcement, commercial maritime, aquaculture, port services, and leisure maritime.
After this apprenticeship
Following completion of the apprenticeship the right candidate may be offered a position as a permanent member of staff.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEYMOUTH COLLEGE
Shannon Docherty
Shannon.docherty@manormarine.co.uk
01305 820777
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018345.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026