Skilled Sheet Metal Work Apprentice

CAMBRIDGE RAPID COMPONENTS LTD

Haverhill (CB9 7YH)

Closes on Friday 15 May 2026

Posted on 27 March 2026


Summary

Cambridge Rapid is a Haverhill based precision sheet metal manufacturing company providing fast turnaround, high quality metal components and assemblies from concept through to production.

Wage

£17,238 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is age dependent.

Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 3 August 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

Main roles and responsibilities:

  • Reporting to the Sheet Metal Manager, you will support a range of manufacturing activities including deburring, machine operation, sawing, and drilling/tapping
  • As your apprenticeship develops, you will be trained in spot welding and progress to operating press brakes, fly presses, and bending rollers

Where you'll work

Cambridge Rapid Components Limited, 10-11 Boundary Road
Haverhill
CB9 7YH

Training

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

Training provider

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

Training course

Metal fabricator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
  • Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
  • Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
  • 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.
  • Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
  • Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
  • Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
  • Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
  • Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
  • Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
  • Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
  • Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
  • Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
  • Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
  • 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.
  • Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
  • Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
  • Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
  • Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
  • Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
  • Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
  • Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.

Training schedule

  • The learner will be studying the Metal Fabricator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification
  • Day release to West Suffolk College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 4-9)

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
  • Team working
  • Organisation skills
  • Physical fitness
  • Logical

Other requirements

  • Working in a factory can involve some heavy lifting and repetitive work, standing on your feet for long periods of time

About this employer

Cambridge Rapid is a highly motivated sheet metal manufacturing company, based in Haverhill Suffolk. The company provides metal components and assemblies to a variety of industries and provides the following services: • Design & Prototyping • Laser Cutting • CNC Punching • Folding & Forming • Welding • Mechanical Assembly Continuous improvement is embedded in the ethos of the company and we invest not only in the technological advances that improves our customer products but also in our staff who all put our customers first.

After this apprenticeship

  • Full time role after completion of apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000023877.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 15 May 2026

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