Engineering QC Apprentice
NICO MANUFACTURING LIMITED
Essex (CO15 3TJ)
Closes in 16 days (Friday 21 August 2026)
Posted on 5 August 2026
Contents
Summary
As an Engineering QC Apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience inspecting products, supporting the technical department, quality management and supplier / customer communications. You will develop technical knowledge, provide support and learn to interpret technical drawings, use engineering measuring equipment and PC software and systems.
- Wage
-
£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday 8.00am - 4.30pm, Friday 8.00am - 3.30pm, with a 30 minute lunch break.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 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
- Ba an integral part of the Nico QC team
- Assist with inspection of in house manufactured and incoming goods
- Liaise with internal colleagues, suppliers and occasionally customers to support engineering projects and drive product quality
- Interpret technical product drawings and their relevant tolerances
- Use a range of precision measuring instruments for quality control purposes
- Support the introduction of new products and assist with release of up-issued technical documents
- Assist with calibration of measuring instruments
- Support product quality management activities, including inspections and segregation of any non-conforming product or material
- Maintain accurate technical documentation and records
- Assist with ISO and quality management processes to support continuous improvement across the business
Where you'll work
109 Oxford Road
Clacton On Sea
Essex
CO15 3TJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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
- The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard
- Qualifications include the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies
More training information
- This is a 4-year apprenticeship with college attendance required one day per week
- All college attendance will be at Colchester Institute at our Colchester Campus
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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Nico Manufacturing Limited based in Clacton On Sea are a long established successful manufacturer of double glaze window hardware including locks and hinges and architectural hardware for doors.
https://www.nico.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Free onsite parking
- Opportunities for career development and internal progression
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This apprenticeship is designed to provide the skills, knowledge and experience needed to build a long-term career with Nico Manufacturing. As our business continues to grow, we expect the successful candidate to become a valued member of our QC/QA department, with opportunities to progress further in the future.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Colchester Institute - Apprenticeship Team
ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
01206 712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046634.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Friday 21 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.