Test & Engine Finish Engineering Apprentice
PERKINS ENGINES COMPANY LIMITED
Stafford (ST16 3UB)
Closes in 26 days (Thursday 14 May 2026)
Posted on 14 April 2026
Contents
Summary
The purpose of the level 3 engineering apprenticeship is to develop individuals within the manufacturing department. Who are responsible for the assembly, testing, painting, and shipping of the engines to the customers. They are responsible for doing this in a world class manor ensuring defect free engines are shipped to customers on time.
- Wage
-
£15,932 a year
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Depending on the college days and age of the apprentice, this will be spread across 4 days of the week
37 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
Manufacturing Operations are responsible for leading production employees to execute the assembly, test, paint, and engine finish processes within the manufacturing facility including the quality department and logistics department, to deliver a world-class product to our customers. This role utilises the Caterpillar Production System (Lean Manufacturing) Principles to deliver People, Quality, Velocity and Cost (PQVC) improvements and results.
The purpose of this level 3 engineering apprenticeship role is to develop individuals within the manufacturing department. Who are responsible for the assembly, testing, painting, and shipping of the engines to the customers, additional they are responsible for doing this in a world class manor ensuring defect free engines being shipped to customers on time. With this role being focused on the Test & EFD (Engine Finish Department).
Throughout all your apprenticeship you will be adding value to the product and the business, whilst working towards achieving a recognised qualification which will set you up well for a successful career within Perkins Engines.
During this 4-year apprenticeship, you will be given the opportunity to experience different aspects of manufacturing, designed to provide you with an excellent foundation in your future. From day one you will be embedded with the Test & EFD team, solving real world problems. You will get to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide. Engine Testing is the team that are responsible for ensuring that all the engines assembled at our Stafford facility meet all the requirements and expectations of our customers as well as all national and international regulations. Responsible for the safe and efficient testing of the engines, our team in test also look for opportunities to improve our processes, working closely with other department in the facility. Engine Finishing is the team that are responsible for the spraying painting and final customer preparations of the engine. They will receive a tested engine from test and then wash, clean, prepare, spray paint and finish the engine for final quality inspection prior to the shipping of the engine to the customer, working closely with logistics and quality.
Even though your apprenticeship will be based within the Test & EFD department, with will experience rotations in the following departments:
Engine Assembly: Our Stafford facility produces both inline and vee engines to meet the requirements of our customers. Our assembly team ensure the right parts are fitted to the right engines and that they are done to the highest possible standard. In addition to our main production lines, the assembly team includes our sub-assembly processes, where amongst other things, they assemble turbos and exhaust systems.
Quality Department: Our quality department are responsible for maintaining our excellent reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality products. Our quality department is responsible for checking engines during the build process, during the test process and before they are delivered to our customers. In addition to this, the quality team deal with our suppliers, ensuring that what we get is as high quality as we deliver to our customers.
Where you'll work
Tixall Rd,
Stafford
ST16 3UB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
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
You will attend college 2 days a week, during term time only at our Cannock Campus, The Green, Cannock, WS11 1UE
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 5 GCSE's including Science or Engineering subject (grade 4 or above)
- English and Maths (grade GCSE Grades 9 - 4 or A* - C)
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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Good time management
Other requirements
Things you need to know:
- Apprenticeship open Evening is the 7th of May 2026 (6:00pm 8:00pm)
- Apprenticeship application closing date is the 14th of May 2026
- Assessment centres and interviews are the 27/28th May 2026
- Planned apprenticeship start date is the 7th September 2026
About this employer
As one of the world’s leading providers of diesel engines we are passionate about delivering excellent products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations.
With a 90-year history and more than 22 million engines behind us, our customers are in an ideal position to take advantage of a heritage of engineering excellence, as well as exceptional reliability and lower noise levels across our comprehensive product range.
https://www.perkins.com/en_GB/company/about-us.html (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
25 Days Annual Leave, Employee Discount/Benefits Scheme, Employee Assistance Scheme, 5% Annual Bonus, Pension Scheme, Share Scheme, Free Parking Free EV Charging
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be a qualified Engineering Technician and may be offered a position within our world-class team with plenty of opportunity for further long-term progression.
During your apprenticeship you will be assigned a department manager who is responsible for your day-to-day work, a training manager who is responsible for your training and placements and additional a apprentice coach to guide you through your time on the scheme and to carry out regular reviews without you and teach you everything you will need to know to have a successful career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COLLEGE
Apprenticeship Team
apprenticeships@southstaffs.ac.uk
03004562424
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026271.
Apply now
Closes in 26 days (Thursday 14 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.