Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprentice

DALAU LTD

ESSEX (CO15 3DZ)

Closes on Friday 29 May 2026

Posted on 20 March 2026


Summary

Do you want to become part of a team and make a difference? This role will give you the opportunity to work with some of the latest and leading technology in CNC manufacturing and Metrology Inspection, you will be machining and inspecting components that are used in Formula One, Medical, and even components that go up into space!

Wage

£22,172.80 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Salary for under 21's: £22,172.80 per year (£10.66 p/h).
  • Salary for over 21's: £25,480.00 per year (£12.25 p/h).

Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 06:30 - 17:00 or 16:30 - 03:00 or Monday to Thursday, 07:00 - 16:30 & Friday 07:00 - 11:00 (department & shift dependent) with a 30-minute unpaid lunch each day.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

Day to day role responsibilities include:

  • Working alongside our Metrology & Technical Support teams, you will assist with the creation, analysis and distribution of documentation such as inspection reports, SPC Data, SOP’s and Engineering Masters
  • Tasked with leading a project/team of engineers whilst also collaborating with additional departments on a given task/project
  • This may include aspects of R&D, understanding of commercial impact and communication/feedback to senior management or direct to customer
  • Continue to build up a stronger knowledge of Multi Axis machining, both Milling & Turning, Work Holding & Tooling, to enable you to assist with New Product Introduction (NPI’s) & Continuous Improvement activities - this will include the use of 3D CAD
  • Work alongside our team of Inspectors and Metrologists to ensure our customers only receive components which are within their specifications and uphold our quality standards
  • Be responsible for the quality, safety and compliance of any project/task they are leading
  • To carry out additional duties as requested by Mentor, Senior Setter(s) or Team Leader(s)
  • To undertake work-based learning assignments with support of College Assessor and Mentor

Where you'll work

FORD RD
CLACTON ON SEA
ESSEX
CO15 3DZ

Training

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

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Training schedule

  • The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard
  • Qualifications include the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies

More training information

  • This is a 4-year apprenticeship with college attendance required one day per week
  • All college attendance will be at Colchester Institute at our Colchester Campus one day per week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

4 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Methodical Method of Approach

Other requirements

  • Working in a fast-paced factory environment
  • Shift rotation and cover may be required from time to time
  • Frequent manual handling or use of assisted lifting equipment

About this employer

Dalau Ltd are a market leader in the manufacture of precision plastic components & fluoropolymer products, accredited to AS9100, ISO9001, IS013485, ISO14001 & IS045001. We are based in Clacton-on-Sea - manufacturing and distributing worldwide for over 60 years. Dalau Ltd are a renowned supplier of products into industries such as Medical, Aerospace, Semi-conductor & Chemical, this is down to their ethos of constantly looking at pushing the boundaries of plastic manufacturing by investing the latest technology, both in CNC machining and Metrology.

https://dalau.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Free parking
  • Medical scheme
  • Enhanced shift premiums
  • Pension scheme

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Dalau Ltd are committed to giving opportunities to allow the next generation of Engineers to flourish. We hope that by giving our apprentices a solid foundation in the industry that they can then go on to become key members of the business, showing a fresh innovative approach to problems whilst being at the forefront of technological improvements. We are a firm believer in creating a target driven environment so that employees always know what they are working towards and what the reward is at the end of it.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000020654.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 29 May 2026

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