Whale Tanker - Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship with great benefits

WHALE TANKERS LIMITED

West Midlands (B91 2SU)

Closes in 25 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

Posted on 11 March 2026


Summary

Do you want the opportunity to try different areas of Engineering Fitting?

This role will give you the opportunity to try vehicle electrics, welding, pneumatics, hydraulics, and fitting across multiple departments at our site in Solihull. You will get the chance to put what you learn at college into action in the workplace.

Wage

£17,400 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

In exchange for your hard work, we offer:
• A Generous salary of £17,400 pa with annual pay reviews
• 2 bonus structures

 

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Year 1: Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm. Friday, 8.00am - 12.30pm. We operate a Rotating Shift Pattern that you will do from year 2 of your apprenticeship: Week 1: 06.00 - 14.00, Monday - Friday. Week 2: 14.00 - 22.30, Monday - Thursday. 14.00 - 19.30, Friday.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 14 September 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

3

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

Do you want the opportunity to try different areas of Engineering Fitting?

This role will give you the opportunity to try vehicle electrics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and fitting in multiple departments at our site in Solihull.

You will get the chance to put what you learn at college into action in the workplace. You will become a skilled engineer working in Production to build bespoke tankers, working alongside and training with highly experienced members of staff.

  • The apprenticeship scheme will be 36 - 42 months at Level 3
  • You will receive training on site & through our provider (Make UK), along with continuous support
  • Your working week will be full-time 37.5 hours on a rotating shift upon completion of day release
  • Study time and support will be available within working hours
  • End point assessments will be carried out by the Approved Independent Assessment Organisation

This job role will enable you to understand how our products are built from start to finish.

Where you'll work

Ravenshaw Way
Solihull
West Midlands
B91 2SU

Training

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

Training provider

EEF 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

Together with invaluable commercial and practical experience, you’ll gain several academic and vocational qualifications throughout your time with your employer and Make UK, which are fully paid for, including: 

  • Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Practical Foundation Training – in year 1, in 6 week blocks to include 4 weeks at Make UK and 2 weeks in company
  • Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Workplace Competence Training - in years 2 to 4 in company
  • Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Development Knowledge - in Years 1, 2 & 3 on block release to Make UK
  • In house training in line with your requirements.
  • Further qualifications deemed necessary by your employer

On completion of your studies, you will achieve your full apprenticeship certification that will prove competence as a Level 3 Engineering Fitter.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)
  • Science (or other relevant subject) (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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Please be aware that it is shift work mornings 6:00am - 2.00pm, afternoons 2:00pm - 10.30pm, Monday - Thursday. 2:00pm - 7.30pm, Friday. There is not the best public transport to our site in Solihull, so make sure you're you able to get here.

About this employer

Whale Tankers are one of Europe’s largest manufacturer of liquid waste and jetting equipment. Based in Solihull for the last 56 years and with a 300 plus strong work force, Whale views their staff as being amongst their most important assets.

Company benefits

  • 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Opportunity to join Bupa
  • Pension scheme which when you pay in 4.5% we pay 5%

After this apprenticeship

We have been running apprenticeships for over 16 years and have always upon completion offered a full time permanent contract.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EEF LIMITED

Make UK Recruitment Team

asrecruitment@makeuk.org

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020410.

Apply now

Closes in 25 days (Monday 6 April 2026)

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