Trainee Panel Builder Apprentice

MICHAEL SMITH SWITCHGEAR LTD

LEICESTER (LE3 1TU)

Closes in 28 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 29 June 2026

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Summary

We are currently looking to recruit a Trainee Panel Builder/Wire Person who is enthusiastic, positive attitude and can work from their own initiative.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Friday 08:00am- 16:30pm

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 5 October 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

2

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

Key Role Responsibilities

  • Building and wiring switch panels for commercial buildings and
    working to customer deadlines and expectations at all times
  • Interpreting the drawing received from the engineer, following
    customer approval
  • Checking the drawing to ensure all stock is available for the project scheduled
  • Building the frame, mounting of boxes and fitting of switches
  • Using copper and making up switches and necessary wiring
    required for the job i.e. metering
  • Working with other staff members when coordinating large
    customer projects
  • On-site work – installing panels at the customer location. This includes bolting panels together, copper bars being connected and wiring installed and connected, flash/meggar testing carried out for customer approval before completion
  • To attend the customer site to fit additional switches and metering at the customer's request
  • Carry out on-site modifications as required

Where you'll work

4 ELLAND ROAD
LEICESTER
LE3 1TU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

LEICESTER COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.

Training schedule

You will attend your training at Leicester College, Abbey Park Campus, one day per week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade Grade C or 4 equivalent)
  • maths (grade Grade C or 4 equivalent)

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
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd was established in 1985 and is modern, rapidly expanding electrical control and distribution engineering company, serving both industry within the UK and abroad. Since then we have worked hard to secure a recognised brand with the market place. Michael Smith Switchgear offer a wide range of products and services from panel boards 5000A distribution system to PDU’s and Power Factor Correction and to maintenance contracts on existing and new switchgear systems.

http://www.mssl.uk.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Panel Builder

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LEICESTER COLLEGE

Sameera

sfaruk@leicestercollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039244.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Monday 27 July 2026 at 11:59pm)