Metal Fabricator Plater Apprenticeship
PHILADELPHIA STRUCTURES LTD
PETERLEE (SR8 2HU)
Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 May 2026
Contents
Summary
Philadelphia Structures have a vacancy for an apprentice plater to be trained in all aspects of structural steel fabrication, and the factory processes involved in manufacturing structural items. The applicants will undergo an apprenticeship, including a period of academic training undertaken in college, and practical training on-site.
- Wage
-
£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 7.30am - 4.30pm. Friday, 7.30am - 12.30pm.
39 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
Philadelphia Structures have a vacancy for an apprentice plater to be trained in all aspects of structural steel fabrication, and the factory processes involved in manufacturing structural items.
The applicant will undergo a four-year apprenticeship, including a period of academic training undertaken in college, and practical training on site at our works.
During this time, the candidate will be expected to develop the ability and skills required to work from CAD drawings and produce finished articles to the required specification and tolerances, and to understand the processes involved.
The candidate will also be trained in Health and Safety within the factory environment and will undergo additional training on such items as crane operation and manual handling.
The candidate will be required to attain a certain level of welding ability to allow the candidate to pass a welding test.
By the end of the apprenticeship, the candidate must have the ability and aptitude to work unsupervised on all types of structural items and join the current workforce as a valuable asset to the company.
Where you'll work
4 PALMER ROAD
SOUTH WEST INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
PETERLEE
SR8 2HU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EAST DURHAM 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
This apprenticeship will require you to be in the workplace 4 days a week and in college 1 day a week. You will also have a college tutor visit you in the workplace once a month. You will complete a BTEC Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering within this apprenticeship.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 / C and above)
- Maths (grade 4 / C and above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Philadelphia Structures are a manufacturer of metal structures and parts of structures, running for over 20 years.
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be an opportunity of permanent employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
Emma Norbury
emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk
01915185587
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029922.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 11:59pm)