Workshop Apprentice - Welder/Fabricator
VELOCITY UK LTD
SUNDERLAND, Washington
Closes in 6 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)
Posted on 24 March 2026
Contents
Summary
Working alongside experienced fabricators and welders, the apprentice will learn how to manufacture metal components and welded assembles used in bespoke road repair machinery. Training will cover fabrication techniques, MIG welding, reading engineering drawings and working safely with workshop equipment.
- Wage
-
£14,976 to £23,793.12, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Plate welder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.00pm. Friday, 8.00am - 12:30pm.
Please note, these hours are during your first year with Seta. They may change once you move into the workplace.
36 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- 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
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Carry out tasks allocated by the Workshop Supervisor
- Assist with the fabrication and welding of mild steel components and assemblies
- Learn MIG welding techniques on thin sheet through to thicker sections
- Develop skills in measuring, marking out, cutting, drilling and fitting materials
- Learn to read and work from engineering drawings and specifications
- Use hand tools, power tools and general fabrication workshop equipment safely
- Support the manufacture of parts for new machine builds
- Assist with repairs, modifications and upgrades to existing equipment
- Support general workshop housekeeping and maintenance
- Develop skills and knowledge with the aim of progressing into a qualified welder/fabricator role
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- WOODBINE STREET, SUNDERLAND, SR1 2NL
- 17 Sedling Road, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, NE38 9BZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
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
Your first year will be spent at Seta in Washington.
Your second year will be spent 4 days in the workplace with Velocity and 1 day with Seta on day release.
Your final 2 years will be spent full time with the employer, with regular reviews with a Seta apprenticeship manager and your employer.
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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Willing to learn
- Able to follow instructions
Other requirements
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately and safely
- Positive attitude, good communication skills and flexibility within the workshop environment
- Ability to measure, mark out, cut, drill and assemble components under supervision
- Experience of using hand tools and basic workshop equipment, or willingness to develop these skills
- Ability to read and understand engineering drawings, or willingness to learn
- Good attention to detail with a commitment to producing high quality workmanship
- UK driving licence (desirable but not essential)
- Commit to attending college at least one day per week for day release training (from year 2 onwards)
About this employer
Velocity UK Ltd is a Sunderland-based road maintenance and civil engineering specialist, established in 1997. The company designs and manufactures innovative spray-injection patching technology, delivering cost-effective, permanent road repairs for local authorities and contractors across the UK and internationally.
After this apprenticeship
The aim is that the successful applicant will progress into a role as a qualified Welder/Fabricator.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Gabriella Smith
gabriella.smith@seta.co.uk
0191 416 2860
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020563.
Apply now
Closes in 6 days (Tuesday 31 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.