Engineering Apprentice
PRINCES LIMITED
Wisbech (PE13 3DG)
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 1 June 2026
Contents
Summary
To become a time served engineering multi-skilled technician with mechanical and electrical skills, to undertake a four-year apprenticeship programme that includes onsite training and college learnings (College of West Anglia).
The opportunity to progress to degree level (grade and behavioural dependant).
- Wage
-
£21,214.26 a year
- Training course
- Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Mon- Fri 09:00 – 17:00 (37.5)
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- 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
- Have an awareness of the Princes Manufacturing System (PMS), maturity matrix and site must win battle plans.
- Have an awareness of lean manufacturing work practices including 5S (sort, set, shine, standardise, sustain), AM (autonomous maintenance) and problem-solving including root cause analysis to drive continuous improvement on site.
- Be aware of personal impact on environmental issues.
- Communicate and co-operate with team members interdepartmentally to achieve goals and maintain product quality.
- Accurately complete all reporting and recording procedures applicable to designated tasks.
- Assist with the repair and maintenance of production machinery working with your assigned mentor.
- Ensure you apply your knowledge and skills from college and your mentor within the workplace.
- Contribute to the achievement of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) business targets through the delivery of an effective personal performance to a high standard.
- Under supervision take part in the routine inspections and maintenance of related equipment and tools.
- Document and report faults/problems and actions taken / to be taken to rectify.
- To understand the PMS and engineering strategies such as CBM (condition-based monitoring) and TPM (total productive maintenance).
- Carry out any other engineering tasks including project work as may be reasonably requested or instructed.
- Adhered to the site's Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Policies, Integrated Management System, Risk Assessments, and practices (especially in relation to lock-offs/isolation, permits to work and other generic safety systems).
- Adhere to the Electricity at Work Regulations (EAW) and the Princes Electrical Safety Management Procedure (ESMP).
- Ensure all activities and working practices are undertaken in a safe manner, taking responsibility for own safety and the safety of others.
- Maintain a high standard of hygiene and housekeeping.
- Ensure all areas, including engineer’s toolboxes, are free from unaccounted items and potential sources of contamination.
- Uphold the Company’s Values and act in accordance with the Company’s Code of Conduct.
Where you'll work
Lynn Road
Wisbech
PE13 3DG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA
Training course
Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
- Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
- Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
- Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
- Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
- Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
- Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
- Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
- Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
- Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
- Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
- Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
- Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
- Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
- Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
- Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
- Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
- Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
- Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
- Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
- Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
- Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.
- Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
- Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
- Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
- Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
- Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
- Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
- Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
- Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
- Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
- Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
- Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
- Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
- Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
- Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
- Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
- Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
- Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
- Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
- Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
- Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
- Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
- Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
- Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.
Training schedule
College Day release, one day a week, remaining hours in the workplace.
End Point Assessment
Observation with questions, you will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 3 hours. They will ask you at least 4 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, you will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 3 other subjects (grade 9-4/A*-C)
- English &maths (grade 9-4/A*-C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Interest in engineering
- Previous experience
Other requirements
Be 18 and over (PLEASE NOTE DUE TO INSURANCE PURPOSES WE CANNOT HAVE UNDER 18s WORKING ONSITE).
Please think about transport how you will get to the site.
About this employer
Major UK based Food & Beverage Company with a diverse portfolio across food, soft drinks & edible oils.
After this apprenticeship
To become a time served engineering multi-skilled technician with mechanical and electrical skills.
The opportunity to progress to degree level (grade and behavioural dependant).
- 4-year apprenticeship with potential for permanent career development
- College release and work-based assignments with experienced technicians
- Exceptional training and development throughout the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA
Mellisa Hannah
melissa.hannah@princes.co.uk
0151 966 7000
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034262.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 11:59pm)