Workshop Technician Apprentice
SOVEREIGN LABELLING MACHINES LIMITED
Essex (CO15 4LU)
Closes on Saturday 25 July 2026
Posted on 18 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Form part of the workshop/engineering team to assist with the mechanical & electrical assembly of bespoke machinery, all of which will be built to a schedule, based on various lead times and built to an extremely high standard. Reporting to the workshop manager, you will be assigned tasks to be completed in a time sensitive manner.
- Wage
-
£22,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
- Salary range: £22,000 - £25,000 annually
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday, 07:30 - 16:30 and Friday, 07:30 - 13:30. With a 10 minute break at 10:30 and a half hour lunch break at 13:00
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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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
Role responbilities will include:
- You will be liaising with the design team to get an understanding of the project in hand
- Quality checking each component prior to assembly
- Assisting with the machine setup, once it is completed
- Assemble mechanical parts to a high standard, ensuring tolerances are adhered to along with adherence to build instructions/guidelines
- Assemble & wire control panels by following electrical schematics
- Gather parts required for the mechanical or electrical build process
- Assist engineers during the machine setup process
- Assist in the preparation of machinery for despatch, ensuring that all quality checks are carried out
Where you'll work
Sovereign Labelling Machines Ltd
Oaktree Works Brunel Road Clacton on Sea
Essex
CO15 4LU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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
- The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard
- Qualifications include the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies
More training information
- This is a 4-year apprenticeship with college attendance required one day per week
- All college attendance will be at Colchester Institute at our Colchester Campus one day per week
Requirements
Essential 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
- There may be occasion to travel to site with engineers to assist with machinery installations, or servicing
About this employer
Established in 1993, we are the leading supplier of high-quality labelling and sleeving machines. Brands trust us to deliver the highest quality labelling and sleeving, with co-packers and OEM partners relying on us to optimise production and maximise throughout. From straightforward set-ups to bespoke and fully modular lines, our systems are recognised for their high-quality design, reliability and ease of use. Our stainless steel systems are suitable for almost any production environment, with hundreds of installations all over the world. Sovereign Labelling provides clients with a comprehensive range of solutions covering all production line needs, including; labelling, sleeving and servicing and maintenance.
http://www.sovereign-labelling.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Company pension
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Multi-skilled engineer, Workshop Technician, Field Service Engineer, etc
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000038004.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 25 July 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.