Manufacturing Apprentice
GOOCH & HOUSEGO UK LIMITED
SOMERSET (TA19 0PF)
Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026
Posted on 27 March 2026
Contents
Summary
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. The four-year apprenticeship is a mixture of practical on-the-job training and academic training on day release at college.
- Wage
-
£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
National Minimum Wage for apprentices - from April 2026, £8.00 per hour. Apprentices will need to be paid National Minimum Wage after their first year of their Apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
8am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 3.30pm Friday (Start times may vary).
39 hours a week
- Start date
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Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years 6 months
- Positions available
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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
- Work in accordance with work instructions and work with the relevant parties to support the production of steady state and new product in the most economic manner to meet team targets of 100% delivery and quality.
- Adherence to all company policies, management systems and standard operational procedures, including legal responsibilities in relation to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality
- Working positively to develop and foster good working relationships with colleagues and contracted personnel in order to maintain a culture of mutual respect and dignity
- Promote and display the G&H values: Customer focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, Precision.
- Complete the training to the required standard and obtain the agreed academic qualifications.
- At work, complete up to eight modules including Polishing, Machine Shop, Coating, CNC, Quality, Procurement, Engineering (subject to change) over the first three years. Specialise and be assessed in an agreed area for the final year.
- Listen to and respect the mentors who will support your development.
- Report on your achievements at the end of each module and provide feedback to your mentor.
- Follow, process and complete all job sheet documentation as required. Keep accurate and up-to-date records of work undertaken and keep the relevant documentation with the part to maintain product integrity and traceability of the part, ensuring the work is completed.
- Maintain the work environment to the agreed standard in line with health and safety regulations.
Where you'll work
DOWLISH FORD
ILMINSTER
SOMERSET
TA19 0PF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP
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
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4 and above)
- Maths (grade C/4 and 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
- Number skills
- Team working
- Patience
- Punctual & adaptable
- Manual dexterity
- Instruction adherence
- Detail oriented
- Responsible mindset
- Fast paced work
- Deadline focused
- Highly committed
Other requirements
Potential candidates should be aware that many of the employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities that you may have previously held and your place of birth, could restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must, as a minimum, be able to successfully complete security vetting to the UK government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard, which includes a DBS record check being performed.
About this employer
G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of our acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fibre optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years. Ready to join a leader in Optical Technology? Take your career to the next level with G&H. Apply today and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of optics!
https://gandh.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
20% uplift for rotational shifts. Overtime at x1.5 after 39 hours, x2 on Sundays & Bank Holidays. 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays. 6% pension, bonus scheme, Health Cash Plan, £500 referral bonus, cycle to work scheme.
After this apprenticeship
We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP
Yazmin
business@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000023698.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026