Electrical Engineering Apprentice
Global Switchgear Services Ltd
Rochdale (OL12 9EF)
Closes tomorrow (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 30 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Global Switchgear is seeking an enthusiastic Engineering Operative Apprentice to join its specialist engineering team. This is a hands-on role where you will gain practical experience working alongside experienced engineers on projects across the UK and internationally.
- Wage
-
£15,392 to £24,454.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday.
The role will involve working on customer sites and may require the successful candidate to work away from home at times for approximately 2 to 3 weeks at a time, depending on project requirements.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 28 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 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
Global Switchgear is looking for a committed, confident and enthusiastic individual to join their experienced engineering team as an Engineering Operative Apprentice.
This is an exciting opportunity to begin a career within a specialist engineering business, gaining practical experience across both mechanical and electrical engineering.
The successful candidate will work alongside experienced engineers and will be involved in a range of engineering activities, including the installation, testing, maintenance, fault finding and repair of specialist switchgear and associated equipment.
As your skills and confidence develop, you may be involved in:
- Supporting experienced engineers with the installation and maintenance of switchgear equipment
- Assisting with mechanical and electrical engineering activities
- Supporting the installation of new switchgear and associated equipment
- Learning how to inspect, test and maintain electrical systems and equipment
- Assisting with fault finding and identifying issues with equipment
- Supporting engineers with repair, modification and refurbishment work
- Learning to use a range of engineering tools and equipment safely
- Assisting with testing and commissioning activities
- Reading and understanding engineering drawings, instructions and technical information
- Supporting the preparation of equipment and materials for site work
- Maintaining a clean, safe and organised working environment
- Working alongside experienced engineers to develop practical engineering skills
- Travelling to customer sites across the UK and, where appropriate, internationally
- The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of industries, including power generation, industrial, marine, renewable energy, nuclear and military environments.
Working Away from Home
This role involves regular travel and may require the successful candidate to work away from home at times.
The successful candidate may be required to work away for approximately 2 to 3 weeks at a time, depending on project requirements.
There may also be opportunities to travel across the UK and internationally as your skills and experience develop.
This role would suit someone who is excited by the opportunity to work on different sites, meet new people and gain experience across a wide range of engineering projects.
Where you'll work
Unit 4D
Buckley Road Industrial Estate
Rochdale
OL12 9EF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
- Identify and deal appropriately with any risks, hazards, hazardous situations and problems that may occur within the engineering environment within the limits of their responsibility
- Demonstrate effective communication skills which include oral, written, electronic
- Complete appropriate documentation accurately, efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology where required
- Obtain and follow the correct documentation, specifications and work instructions in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the engineering activities, extracting the necessary data/information from specification and related documentation
- Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the engineering operation
- Deal appropriately with any problems that may occur within the manufacturing environment within the limits of their responsibility
- Work efficiently and effectively at all times maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste
- Carryout fault location on appropriate equipment using suitable maintenance diagnostic techniques
- Carryout maintenance activities in line with work instructions
- Carryout tests on the maintained equipment in accordance with test schedule/defined test procedures
- Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment to service by replacing or repairing components
- Plan the mechanical manufacturing operation before they start
- Mount and set the required workholding devices
- Produce individual components, sub-assemblies or completed assemblies using mechanical manufacturing techniques
- Carryout quality checks during and after mechanical manufacturing operations
- Wire and terminate different types of cabling e.g. single core, multi core, screened, fire resistant, armoured, etc.
- Assemble and test a range of electrical components e.g. component panels, isolator switches, fuses, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, rail mounted terminal blocks, etc.
- Assemble and test a range of electronic components e.g. resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc.
- Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment/system to service after the assembly and testing has been completed
- Shape the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
- Join the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
- Produce components which meet the specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the fabrication activities
- Plan the materials, processing or finishing operation before they start
- Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the materials, processing or finishing operation
- Carry out the material, processing or finishing operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the materials, processing or finishing operation
- Plan the technical support operation before they start
- Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the technical support
- Carry out the technical support operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the technical support operation
Training schedule
The successful candidate will complete an Engineering Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship through Rochdale Training Association.
The apprenticeship will begin with an initial block of training at Rochdale Training for approximately six months. This will allow the apprentice to develop their core engineering knowledge and practical skills.
Following the initial training block, the apprentice will move onto a day release model, attending Rochdale Training alongside their employment with Global Switchgear.
The apprentice will develop skills across both mechanical and electrical engineering while gaining valuable practical experience on live customer projects.
Requirements
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
- Team working
About this employer
Global Switchgear is a specialist engineering company providing services to a wide range of industries, including power generation, industrial, marine, renewable energy, nuclear and military sectors.
The company specialises in the installation, testing, commissioning, maintenance, fault finding and repair of specialist switchgear and associated electrical equipment.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to begin a career in engineering and gain valuable practical experience across both mechanical and electrical engineering.
The successful candidate will work alongside experienced engineers on a variety of projects, with the opportunity to travel across the UK and internationally as their skills and experience develop.
The role offers a varied, hands-on working environment, with the opportunity to work on specialist engineering projects and to develop a long-term career in the industry.
Website: https://global-switchgear.com/about-us/
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity to develop a long-term career within the engineering industry.
As your skills and experience develop, there may be opportunities to progress within Global Switchgear and continue your engineering development.
You will gain valuable experience across both mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as installation, testing, maintenance and fault finding.
There may be opportunities to continue developing your engineering skills through further training and progression within the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Jacob Evans
jevans@rochdaletraining.co.uk
01706631417
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045703.
Apply now
Closes tomorrow (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)