Assembly Apprentice
KOMATSU UK LIMITED
County Durham (DH3 2QX)
Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)
Posted on 2 March 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for Engineering Apprentices to join our Assembly Department. We are looking for individuals with a keen interest in mechanical assembly, who are enthusiastic, reliable and have the willingness to work hard within an engineering environment.
- Wage
-
£17,198 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Regular increases
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, shifts TBC.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- 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
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.
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.
We are looking for Engineering Apprentices to join our Assembly Department.
What will I do?
Initially you will be based at the TDR Training Centre in Longbenton.
Once you have completed your initial training at TDR, you will spend the remainder of the four year apprenticeship working at Komatsu UK in the Assembly Department.
In conjunction with TDR you will work to achieve your NVQ Level 3 Engineering Fitter and Advanced Apprenticeship.
What you will learn:
- How to work safely
- How to assemble hydraulic excavators to a high quality standard
- How to operate machinery such as overhead cranes and torque tools
- Fault finding
- How to follow work procedures/drawings
- Team work and continuous improvement
Salary and Benefits:
- Starting salary is £16,944 with regular increases
- 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
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
TDR TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
- Initially you will be based at the TDR Training Centre in Longbenton
- Once you have completed your initial training at TDR, you will spend the remainder of the four year apprenticeship working at Komatsu UK in the Assembly Department
- In conjunction with TDR you will work to achieve your NVQ Level 3 Engineering Fitter and Advanced Apprenticeship
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language or English Literature (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
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
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Join us for a Factory Tour to explore our site, learn about our operations, and discover the various apprenticeships we offer.
Tours will take place on Wednesday18 March at 11am and 3pm, or Tuesday 24 March at 4pm.
If you’d like to attend a Factory Tour please email HRTeam.UK@komatsu.eu stating which day and time is best for you.
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
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:
TDR TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018601.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.