Machine Operative Apprentice
BARTON FIRTOP ENGINEERING CO LTD
KIDDERMINSTER (DY11 7DT)
Closes in 18 days (Sunday 12 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 24 June 2026
Contents
Summary
To train in all aspects of the Machine Shop environment and work towards gaining a competency/skill based NVQ, which will take place on site.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 07:00 - 16:00. We operate a flexi-time policy to enable employees to choose their preferred working pattern, i.e. start/end times of their working day, within timeframes set by the company and agreed by line managers.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 1 October 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- 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
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated individual who would like to join a progressing company. This role is based within the established Production department; therefore, a strong team player attitude is essential.
Duties and responsibilities:
Training towards:
- Shall be fully committed to the achievement of the company policies and objectives with attention to quality and safety, in line with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
- Carry out duties in a safe, timely, economic and effective manner
- Shall possess an understanding and be competent in using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
- Shall perform tasks within the Production department, as requested by production personnel, which are commensurate with the nature of the departmental workload
- After suitable training and under supervision, shall perform tasks commensurate with the skill base and experience within the relevant Production area
- Shall carry out manual turning techniques
- Shall carry out manual milling techniques
- Prepare and use lathes for turning operations
- Prepare and use milling machines
- Produce tool and die assemblies
- Be competent in the use of computer software packages to assist with engineering activitiesUnderstand the principles of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining/fabrication
- Shall undertake reasonable instructions and tasks from senior personnel, commensurate with the nature of the job and in the best interests of the company
Staff relationship:
- Directly responsible to the Works Manager/Production Planning Manager
- Liaises internally with departmental trainers
- Liaises with assigned mentor for apprenticeship work and progress
- Liaises with contacts at the appointed learning provider for apprenticeship work
Where you'll work
BARTON FIRTOP ENGINEERING CO
SILVERWOODS WAY
KIDDERMINSTER
DY11 7DT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DUDLEY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Training schedule
You will be required to attend Advance 1 Campus, Dudley College, DY1 4AD, 1 day per week in term time only.
- Upon successful completion you will receive a Level 2 Engineering Operative - Mechanical Manufacture qualification
- You will be assigned an assessor who will visit the workplace every 6-8 weeks to support you on your apprenticeship
- Functional skills may be required as part of this apprenticeship
More training information
- Manual handling training
- Crane operator training
- Gas safety training
- Grinding/Abrasive wheels training
- One-to-one instruction and guidance with long serving staff to learn and operate the following machines and processes:
- Various capacity radial drills
- Various size centre lathes
- Vertical boring
- Horizontal boring
- Milling
- Using specialist speed facing, mobile pneumatic boring machinesLearn about various cast/forged/plate materials within the oil and gas industry and how these are applied to our products
- Learn about various manufacturing techniques within a welding and fabrication environment
- Learn about different non-destructive testing technics to increase your engineering knowledge
- Training on equipment from 5kg to 25,000kg and learn how to handle and manufacture these items
- Day to day problem solving will be a key skill to be taught from industry experts
- Assembly training will be provided on our products to increase product awareness and skill set
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade D/3/Level 1 Functional Skills)
- Maths (grade D/3/Level 1 Functional Skills)
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
- Initiative
- Professional Presentation
- Reliability
Other requirements
The successful candidate must be able to travel to both Barton Firtop Engineering and Dudley College for the day release each week.
The candidate must have a desire to work within an engineering company with specific interest in production and manual machining.
About this employer
Barton Firtop Engineering is a competitive designer, manufacturer, and supplier of Strainers, Filters, Separators, Coalescers, and Flame Arresters, predominantly serving the Oil & Gas Industry. We specialise in product design and project management, ensuring on-time delivery of strainer and filtration equipment that meets complex specifications for materials, manufacturing, NDE, documentation, and Quality Control.
Our in-house expertise includes advanced 3D Modelling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), enabling us to design and certify to ASME VIII, Division 1 and PD5500 pressure vessel codes. We offer both fabricated and highly competitive cast designs.
Barton Firtop operates a custom-built manufacturing plant in Worcestershire (UK), which includes a pipework/vessel fabrication division. Additionally, we wholly own a competitive
manufacturing facility in Goa, India, which supplies fully machined and tested cast products sourced from high-quality ISO-approved foundries. Barton Firtop India has been a trusted supplier to worldwide projects via our UK head office for over 20 years.
Please note that Barton Firtop reserves the right to bring forward the closing date of any job vacancy if a suitable number of quality applications are received from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we recommend applying as soon as possible rather than waiting until the published closing date.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The successful candidate will be initially working as part of a small team but with the correct work ethic, organisation and commitment could develop to lead and push the department forward. The company has long term goals to introduce new machines and techniques which the successful applicant will be a part of or could drive forward with the correct application of their skills.
The long-term goals would be to work towards being a skilled machinist and engineer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DUDLEY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Chloe Powell
Chloe.Powell@dudleycol.ac.uk
01384363158
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000036700.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Sunday 12 July 2026 at 11:59pm)