Heritage Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Mechanical – Classic Vehicle restoration)
IAN POLSON LLP
NEWMARKET (CB8 8UZ)
Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026
Posted on 22 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Apprentice position with Ian Polson LLP, established in 1978, specialising in Talbot and other pre-war vehicle restoration. Work alongside an experienced team in machining, white metalling, line boring, sheet metal fabrication, welding, painting, servicing and maintenance of quality cars from the 1900s to the Second World War.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£8.00/hour - Applicant’s age, experience and qualifications vary; therefore, the starting salary may vary based on these factors.
- Training course
- Heritage engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 12 October 2026
- Duration
-
3 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
This apprenticeship combines old-school engineering with cutting-edge technology.
- You will assist highly skilled engineers with preservation, maintenance and restoration of Talbot cars and a variety of cars from the 1900s to the Second World War
- You will be taught about the history and development of vehicles, components and materials, servicing, tuning, transmissions and drivetrains, chassis, suspension, steering, braking and electrics
- It also includes Technical Drawing, welding, business studies and advanced diagnostics
Where you'll work
MILL FARM
ASHFIELD GREEN
WICKHAMBROOK
NEWMARKET
CB8 8UZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
HERITAGE SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED
Training course
Heritage engineering technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply current Health & Safety practices at all times, ensuring all Hazards and Risks are identified and managed effectively, specifically complying with all relevant general and heritage specific regulations.
- Dis-assemble and assemble constructs, using video and/or other recording methods as appropriate to ensure the knowledge is not lost if significant time elapses between the two functions.
- Apply the processes of continuous improvement, such as Kaizen and Workplace Organisation.
- Obtain check and use the appropriate original
- Develop, apply and implement appropriate delivery plans to complete tasks within the agreed timescale.
- Apply industry recognised/best practice standards at all times during the restoration of a project to ensure that each stage is completed properly and has no adverse effect on future operations and progress.
- Plan and where applicable obtain all the resources required to undertake the work activity.
- Use the correct original or contemporary tools, processes, procedures and equipment to inspect remove, renovate and reassemble components where applicable including those for periodic adjustment.
- Identify various forms of corrosion, chemical reaction and other forms of degradation, and treat accordingly.
- Apply Non Destructive Techniques (NDT), using the correct technique for the specific application
- Use mechanical, non-mechanical and thermal jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing and welding.
- Apply appropriate and approved diagnostic procedures and equipment with logical problem-solving techniques.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
- Deal with customers, to ensure their satisfaction and expectations are exceeded.
- Use appropriate aviation terminology.
- Fully document and record all work with European Aviation Safety Agency/Civil Aviation Authority requirements.
- Survey Heritage Aircraft, and classify damage as: Negligible, Repairable by treatment, Repairable by patching or insertion or requiring replacement.
- Apply appropriate conservation treatment(s) with minimum physical intervention and removing no or as little as possible original material.
- Correctly identify and employ appropriate riveting techniques.
- Manufacture and replace aircraft panels/components using conforming material.
- Use sealants to add aerodynamic smoothness to exposed surfaces as seams and joints in the fuselage and wings
- Use sealants to prevent air and fluid leakage.
- Undertake jacking & lifting operations without endangering themselves or others.
- Assess external condition of aircraft electrical systems, instruments and power-plant as to their appearance
- Utilise appropriate conservation techniques to return electrical systems, instruments and power-plant to a satisfactory external appearance
- Remove equipment and store in an environmentally controlled bonded secure storage facility, so that it could be re-used in the future.
- Service, maintain operate, locate faults and rectify or repair on prime movers such as; steam, electric, two and four stroke petrol and diesel engines.
- Service, maintain, operate locate faults and rectify or repair propulsion systems.
- Locate faults and rectify or repair Heritage vessels auxiliary systems for electrical supply, fuel supply, cooling and plumbing systems.
- Service, maintain, operate, rectify and repair vessel steering components.
- Manufacture replacement components using conforming materials such as wood, metal or fabric.
- Undertake lifting, slinging, jacking operations without endangering the vessel, components or persons for large heavy objects.
- Manage the processes required to implement an effective vessel assessment including how to assess a vessel for her historical significance and her current fabric condition.
- Manage the process required to stabilise a Heritage vessel and how to protect her condition by applying appropriate treatments with minimum physical intervention and removing as little original material
- Maintain the fabric of the vessel and keep it suitably maintained even under museum conditions to ensure longevity.
- Use appropriate terminology in recording of work.
- Undertake safe handling including hot/in steam working and workshop systems – electric, air, lifting
- Ability to undertake hand and machine fitting including effective use of machine shop tools associated with mechanical repair work (e.g. making replacement components).
- Mechanical exams and checks on lubrication systems, brake systems, hoses and couplings.
- Undertake mechanical testing techniques, carrying out the required test procedure without causing damage to the component or system.
- Undertake white metalling and refurbishment of bearings.
- Carry out examination of locomotive frames and their alignment.
- Carry out examination procedures for wheel-sets, tyres and flanges, axles and springs to determine repair or adjustment needs in line with guidance e.g. MT 276.
- Carry out valve and piston examination and slide bar alignment.
- Use appropriate terminology and recording of the work.
- Correctly mark out plate for different boiler sections.
- Undertake safe handling including hot/in steam working and correct use of tools associated with boiler work.
- Carry out thorough survey and examinations, testing techniques including hydraulic and have the skills to identify and carry out the required test procedure without causing damage to the component or system.
- Carry out riveting repairs (hot and hydraulic).
- Carry out tube removal and boiler re-tubing.
- Undertake correct fitting of boiler mountings and safety valves.
- Carry out plate-work repairs and patching.
- Carry out inner and outer firebox repair, including drilling and tapping, stay removal and replacement.
- Operate historic vehicles and systems safely and without damage to components and systems.
- Conduct and record inspections and assessments relating to historic vehicles and systems taking into account the historic pedigree and use of materials & processes.
- Produce technical drawings, use a range of measuring techniques including the use of metric and imperial measuring systems.
- Implement plans to preserve, repair, disassemble, re-assemble or re-manufacture the range of historic vehicles systems and components.
- Lift/jack, support and lower historic vehicles safely and without damage to chassis, components or systems
- Service, maintain and repair the range of historic motive power systems.
- Service, maintain and repair historic vehicle auxiliary systems.
- Retain originality of materials and apply/use preservation techniques where appropriate.
- Re-manufacture components using hand skills, milling, turning, grinding and fabrication skills appropriate to the particular vehicle.
- Use mechanical, non-mechanical & thermal jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing, mig, tig, spot & arc welding.
- Conduct and record inspections & assessments relating to historic vehicle construction and components taking into account the historic pedigree and use of materials and processes.
- Dismantle, store and rebuild historic vehicles safely and without damage to components and systems.
- Implement plans to preserve, repair, disassemble, reassemble or re-manufacture the range of historic vehicles chassis, panels and components.
- Use historic building techniques such as ‘wheeling’ (panels being hand rolled).
- Use all jointing processes including riveting, glues, soldering, brazing and welding methods.
- Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the internal and external trim components in a range of materials including hoods, frames, head linings, and upper environmental trim.
- Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the internal and external trim components in a range of materials including fabric, wood, metal and composites.
- Remove, replace, refurbish or re-manufacture the vehicle glazing.
- Prepare vehicles for handover to customers, transportation, exhibitions and display
Training schedule
Qualification: The ‘HET Level 3 Apprenticeship’ is a nationally recognised qualification delivered by ‘HSA’ from its Mechanical Academy based at ‘Bicester Heritage’ in Oxfordshire. Delivered over 36 months on a block release basis, you will attend your academy on average every 5-weeks for a 5-day block of training running from Monday to Friday, the remaining 80% of the time you will be working with your employer. If required, your employer will cover the accommodation and travel costs.
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Previous classic vehicle work experience is useful but not essential, GCSE Grades 4 to 9 (A*-C) maths and English are essential.
We are also looking for applications from university graduates looking to apply their degree to ‘old school’ engineering challenges and develop a career in this exciting and dynamic industry.
There is a high expectation that successful candidates will work hard, be conscientious and represent the company well on all occasions. Appearance, attitude, timekeeping, and personal presentation will all be considered throughout the interview process.
About this employer
Established in 1978, Ian Polson and his wife, Pam set up I.S. Polson. In 2018 I.S. Polson changed legal status to Ian Polson LLP with John Polson, Ian and Pam’s son joining the new partnership. Ian Polson, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer with a background working for major companies in the motor industry in both Australia and the UK, was a hobbyist in old cars for many years. His inspiration to setup his own company came from Talbot motor cars and recognising the between the period 1903 and 1937 they were outstanding examples of automotive design and engineering. John has also set up a new business called Polson Motor Company Ltd, specialising in the sale of sports, competition and touring cars of the highest quality in a purpose-built 2000 square foot showroom based on the same site, making it a one stop shop for buyers, sellers, enthusiasts of restoration projects and servicing of cars all on the one site.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On completion of the Programme, you will be qualified as a Heritage Engineering Technician. Employment with Ian Polson LLP after completion of the apprenticeship is not guaranteed but very likely, subject to performance and a position being available.
The classic vehicle industry is thriving and the companies that HSA work with are world-class. Prospects for progression range from specialist technical roles to management positions and international work opportunities.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HERITAGE SKILLS ACADEMY LIMITED
Janice Pitchforth
jj@heritageskillsacademy.co.uk
07973 844025
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044176.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.