Apprentice Welder
CAMMELL LAIRD SHIPREPAIRERS & SHIPBUILDERS LIMITED
Wirral (CH41 9BP)
Closes in 12 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
Posted on 22 May 2026
Contents
Summary
The Successful Apprentice will be actively and enthusiastically engaged in all activities, to ensure that you learn the practical skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding required to qualify as a Welder. Whilst ensuring health and safety and statutory regulations and procedures are followed throughout.
- Wage
-
£15,887.04 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Wage will increase each year of Apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Plate welder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 08:30 - 16:00 and Friday, 08:30 - 12:00.
On Site Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 08:00 - 16:30 and Friday, 08:00 - 14:30
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 21 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
10
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
- To be dependable and responsible, (punctual and reliable)
- Learn and follow all health and safety procedures required to keep yourself and others safe
- Familiarise yourself with all equipment; learning how to conduct pre-user checks and report all defects
- Learn how to safely use all plant and equipment
- Positively commit with mentor, training officers, supervisor and HR to complete all elements of the training programme in a timely manner
- Attend full time, block release and/or day release in college, work diligently to complete, modules, units and elements of theoretical learning and underpinning knowledge in a timely manner
Following an initial period of ‘Basic Engineering Skills Training:
- Become proficient in Welding using various procedures on all joint configurations, in all positions, meeting specific standards
- Assist in the preparation and assembly of components prior to Welding
- Follow instructions and advice of supervisors; make a positive contribution in the production process
- Successfully complete trade and coding qualification tests if required to meet Company needs, classification society requirements and specifications
- Conduct yourself in a professional manner in all contacts with course personnel, clients, inspectors, supervisors, maintaining the excellent reputation of the company
Where you'll work
Cammell Laird Shipyard
Campbeltown Road
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 9BP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MARITIME + ENGINEERING COLLEGE NORTH WEST
Training course
Plate welder (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
- Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
- Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
- 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.
- Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
- Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
- Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
- Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
- Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
- Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
- Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
- 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.
- Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
- Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
- Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
- Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
Training schedule
- Year 1 - full time at The Engineering College
- Year 2 & 3 – 4 days at Cammell Lairds, 1 day at The Engineering College
Year 4 – full time at Cammell Lairds.
On the job training with support of mentors.
More training information
First Year Training based at The Engineering College, Monks Ferry, Birkenhead, CH41 5LH
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 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
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Ability to maintain competency
- Ability to complete assignment
- Ability to work at heights
- Good Hand-Eye Coordination Fit
- Strength and Stamina
Other requirements
DBS check is completed when you start and a full medical will take place once you start on the yard, SC clearance may be needed during apprenticeship depending on type of ship that you will be working on
About this employer
Cammell Laird, part of the APCL Group, is one of the most illustrious names in the global maritime industry.
Known across the globe, the company was founded by Scottish entrepreneurs William Laird and his son John and has been operating since 1828.
Since its inception, Cammell Laird has built more than 1,350 ships.
Cammell Laird’s Birkenhead facility, on the banks of the River Mersey, expands across 130 acres and includes four dry docks, a large modular construction hall and extensive covered workshops.
After this apprenticeship
- Previously our apprentices have gone onto roles in the Technical Office, QA, Management and Supervision roles
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MARITIME + ENGINEERING COLLEGE NORTH WEST
Elaine Kerr
e.kerr@theengineeringcollege.co.uk
07770349902
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032951.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Friday 5 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.