Manufacturing / Press Operator Apprentice
SOTECH LTD
COUNTY DURHAM (SR8 2RU)
Closes on Monday 3 August 2026
Posted on 1 July 2026
Contents
Summary
The Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker will support the fabrication, assembly, and finishing of sheet metal products while gaining hands-on experience and formal training. This role is designed to develop practical skills, technical knowledge, and safe working practices within a manufacturing environment.
- Wage
-
£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Working in partnership with East Durham College you will study against the Level 3 Metal Fabrication Standard
Require day release in college one day per week & you will also be visited by a Trainer Assessor once a month. - Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 4.00pm & Friday, 7.00am - 11.00am.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
3
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 Responsibilities:
- Assist with the cutting, bending, forming ,welding, stud welding and assembling of rainscreen components
- Operate basic machinery (under supervision), such as guillotines, press brakes, and CNC equipment
- Interpret simple engineering drawings and specifications
- Support senior fabricators and machinists in day-to-day production tasks
- Carry out basic quality checks to ensure products meet required standards
- Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment
- Follow all health & safety procedures and company policies at all times
- Participate in training programmes (college-based and on-the-job learning)
- Record work progress and learning as part of the apprenticeship programme
Where you'll work
UNIT 2
WHITEHOUSE BUSINESS PARK
PETERLEE
COUNTY DURHAM
SR8 2RU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
- Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
- Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
- 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.
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
- Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
- Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
- Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
- Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
- Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
- Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
- Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
- 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.
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
- Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
- Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
- Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
- Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
- Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
Training schedule
Training:
- An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation
- At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying
More training information
- Working in partnership with East Durham College you will study against the Level 3 Metal Fabrication Standard
- This will require day release in college one day per week, and you will also be visited by a Trainer Assessor in the workplace once a month
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- GCSE English (grade C/4 or above)
- GCSE Maths (grade C/4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Patience
- Physical fitness
About this employer
SOTECH IS A LEADING DESIGNER AND MANUFACTURER OF THE OPTIMA RANGE OF ENGINEERED METAL RAINSCREEN CLADDING AND ARCHITECTURAL FABRICATION. Sotech offers a range of rainscreen cladding solutions, from traditional to contemporary, to bring a project to life. Sotech is at the forefront of rainscreen cladding design, having developed a comprehensive suite of systems. Able to support natural materials such as copper, zinc, stainless steel and aluminium, as well as aluminium composite material, our systems provide architects and specifiers an almost limitless choice, enabling their individual design intent to be fully realised.
https://sotech-optima.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Structured on-the-job training with experienced staff
- Opportunities to progress into a skilled Sheet Metal Worker role
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to:
- Fully skilled Sheet Metal Worker
- CNC Operator / Fabricator
- Team Leader opportunities with experience
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EAST DURHAM COLLEGE
Craig Grimes
craig.grimes@eastdurham.ac.uk
0191 518 8294
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040157.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 3 August 2026