Sheet Metal Fabricator Apprentice
UNICORN PRECISION ENGINEERING LTD
Accrington (BB5 5WJ)
Closes in 31 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 27 April 2026
Contents
Summary
This vacancy is for an Apprentice Metal Fabricator (Fabrication & Welding) based in Accrington.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out metal fabrication work using things such as rolled steel joists, columns, channels, steel plate and metal sheet, etc.
- Wage
-
£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 12noon.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 June 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
2
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
Unicorn Precision Engineering Ltd is a well-established private company that specialises in sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting and structural Steelwork.
Unicorn Precision operates from a spacious and modern head office located on Altham Industrial Estate in Altham, Lancashire. Here, it carries out a broad range of sheet metal fabrication projects, manufacturing products of the very highest standard. Such activities are part of a complete manufacturing and installation operation, which includes a full measure, make, and fit service geared to meeting clients' specific requirements.
Working closely with its sister company, Pheonix Dryers, we specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of original equipment, but we also design and install components for machine upgrades and repairs.
We have a complete design and build capability and have completed projects all over Europe. Our employees are all fully skilled, time-served engineers with a vast wealth of experience within the fields of sheet metal fabrication and structural steelwork.
You will have the opportunity to undertake valuable work experience whilst gaining on-the-job qualifications. Your job role will consist of different tasks such as cutting, bending, MIG/TIG welding, assembly, and fitting.
Due to the nature of the role there is lots of heavy lifting involved.
The successful candidate will train and become competent in the welding, components and castings industry, learning to weld both MIG & TIG to a very high standard.
You will also be trained to learn basic engineering drawing, measuring and marking out, knowledge of engineering materials and handling of engineering information.
Additional skills covered may include fitting using hand skills, producing sheet metal components and assemblies and a range of welding techniques and principles.
Each of these is decided by the level of qualification being taken and the job role you are undertaking.
Where you'll work
3B
Barnfield Way, Altham
Accrington
BB5 5WJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRAINING 2000 LIMITED
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 Grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade Grade 4/C or above)
Desirable 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements
Please do not contact the company directly. Please note - we reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a suitable number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this role.
About this employer
Unicorn Precision Engineering are a long established engineering business, specialising in quality sheet metal work. We are based in Accringham, Lancashire and pride ourselves on delivering for projects of all scale. Our experience is drawn from a range of industries from replicable parts to full panels for industrial machinery.
After this apprenticeship
Engineers are inventors, designers and problem solvers, people who make a difference to the way we live. As trained professionals, engineers are well paid and highly respected. Many get top jobs and even run their own companies. If you enjoy working as part of a team, like solving problems and have a practical flair, you will find engineering has a lot to offer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TRAINING 2000 LIMITED
Grace Gardner
grace.gardner@t2000.co.uk
01254 54659
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025958.
Apply now
Closes in 31 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)