Design Apprentice
VPK Packaging
Northamptonshire (NN14 2SR)
Closes in 14 days (Friday 7 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 July 2026
Contents
Summary
We have a great opportunity for a Design Apprentice & Sample Maker. The Apprentice will be responsible for supporting the Sales and Design for Projects & Manufacture teams, ensuring the production and shipment of concept packaging samples for customer approval, and maintaining the business system, equipment and stock.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 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
- Ensures all samples are despatched in line with customers required due dates
- Ensures concept samples are produced in the correct material and to the highest quality
- Ensures all samples are glued correctly, checking with Design Projects & Manufacture team where necessary
- Ensures all samples are labelled with “VPK” or customers own sample labels
- Quality checks samples for size, style and material before packing
- Support for Innovation and artwork teams with prototype / printed mock-ups
- Ensures supply of sales support packs are kept in stock
- Ensures samples are neatly packed and raised as consignments for collection by the appropriate courier service
- Takes responsibility for the management of board stock, placing repeat orders as necessary
- Takes responsibility for the cleanliness of board storage area and ensures waste material is collected in a timely manner
- Takes responsibility for management of consumables for the Sample Room, placing or co-ordinating repeat orders as necessary
- Takes responsibility for maintenance and cleanliness of the Sample Room and equipment
- Raises any ongoing machine maintenance issues with the functional Leadership & Team Leader team
- Communicates with Key Account Managers to ensure timely collection of any samples marked for their collection
- Communicates with Design for Projects team to ensure timely collection of any samples marked for collection by customers
Where you'll work
Stoke Albany Road
Desborough
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN14 2SR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CU APPRENTICESHIPS (BETTER FUTURES) LIMITED
Training course
Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
- Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
- Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
- Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
- Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
- Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
- Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
- Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
- Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
- Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
- Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
- Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
- Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
- Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
- Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
- Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
- Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
- Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
- Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
- Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
- Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
- Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
- Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
Training schedule
The Apprenticeship training will be delivered by Better Futures through a hybrid model, involving online learning and visits to the Better Futures site to complete practical work.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
HND in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Creative
About this employer
Founded in 1935, VPK Group has grown from strong local roots into a leading European packaging group. As a fully vertically integrated packaging producer, we control the entire value chain, from raw material to finished product. Today we have 71 plants operating in 21 countries with 7,000+ employees.
In the UK we operate from four strategically placed manufacturing sites producing corrugated and print cardboard packaging. The site in Desborough, Northamptonshire is also home to our UK and Ireland Head Office.
https://vpkgroup.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
The company offer a range of benefits including:
- Pension Scheme
- Healthcare cash plan which includes cashback on key medical costs, such as dental etc.
- Employee Assistance Programme - available 24/7
- Discounted rates at retail outlets
- Discounted gym membership
- Company Sick Scheme
- 33 days holiday (including statutory entitlement)
- Ongoing development and training
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This Apprenticeship will equip you for a future career in Packaging Design / Technical.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CU APPRENTICESHIPS (BETTER FUTURES) LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022479.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Friday 7 August 2026 at 11:59pm)