Apprentice Trainee Estimator

SOTECH LTD

COUNTY DURHAM (SR8 2RU)

Closes in 21 days (Monday 17 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 July 2026

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Summary

Engineering and manufacturing support technicians support the work of engineers by the provision of technical support and expertise for areas of the engineering and manufacturing function.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.

Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
08:00 - 17:00 Monday to Thursday. 08:00 - 12:00 noon on Fridays.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

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

Key Responsibilities

Customer Support:

  • Acknowledge and accurately log customer enquiries.
  • Review enquiries and identify any missing information required to progress a quotation.
  • Liaise with customers to obtain drawings, specifications and other relevant information.
  • Maintain regular communication with customers regarding quotation progress.
  • Develop professional and positive relationships with customers and installers.

Estimating Support:

  • Assist Estimators with the preparation of customer quotations.
  • Prepare straightforward quotations using established pricing structures and standard price lists, under supervision.
  • Assist with larger and more complex tenders as required.
  • Extract relevant project information from drawings, specifications and schedules.
  • Assist with material take-offs and quantity calculations.
  • Request and collate supplier and subcontractor pricing.
  • Maintain accurate quotations and update CRM.

Technical Development

  • Develop knowledge of Sotech's product range, systems and technical capabilities.
  • Develop an understanding of façade terminology, construction methods and relevant industry standards.
  • Review drawings and specifications for completeness and identify missing information.
  • Develop an understanding of product application and manufacturability.
  • Liaise with Design and Operations teams to understand technical and manufacturing requirements.
  • Attend internal and external meetings where appropriate to develop technical knowledge and commercial awareness.

CRM & Administration

  • Accurately maintain customer and project information within the CRM system.
  • Monitor live quotations and ensure information is kept up to date.
  • Maintain organised quotation files and supporting documentation within SharePoint.
  • Assist with estimating reports and departmental administration.
  • Support the preparation of project handover information.

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

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

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.

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

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

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.

After this apprenticeship

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

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship.

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 VAC2000044956.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Monday 17 August 2026 at 11:59pm)