Apprentice Engineering Operative

SABRE DIES LTD

LOUTH (LN11 0LQ)

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 August 2026

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Summary

Join a leading UK packaging tooling manufacturer and build a rewarding career through hands-on training, mentoring and real industry experience. Develop valuable technical skills, work with modern equipment and become part of a supportive team with excellent long-term prospects.

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)

We run an apprentice loyalty bonus scheme over three years.

Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7am to 3.30pm (and 10am to 6.30pm after training) + a 30-minute unpaid break. Flexible working is required, which includes paid overtime and some Saturday morning working.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 6 October 2026

Duration

2 years 1 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

Duties will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Manufacture flatbed and/or rotary dies to technical drawings
  • Operate laser cutting, rule processing, and rubbering equipment
  • Accurately fit cutting, creasing, and perforation rules
  • Apply ejector rubbers to optimise stripping performance
  • Inspect finished dies to ensure quality and accuracy

Where you'll work

BELVOIR WAY
FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
LOUTH
LN11 0LQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

LINCOLN COLLEGE

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 apprentice will work towards their Apprenticeship Standard in Engineering Operative Level 2.
  • The successful candidate will be assigned a dedicated assessor who will provide support and guidance throughout the course.
  • This is a Day Release programme, which means you will attend Lincoln/Newark College, 1 day per week, term-time only. This will fall within your contracted working hours.

More training information

Course outline:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0537-v1-5

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade A*/9 – C/4)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental

About this employer

Sabre Dies Limited is a leading specialist supplier of steel rule cutting dies and ancillary products for the packaging and cardboard manufacturing industries.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/laserline-dies-limited/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

We actively support progression through a structured pathway:

  • Trainee / Apprentice→ Junior → Skilled → Senior → Lead Die Maker
  • Ongoing training in machinery, materials, and process improvement
  • Opportunity to develop into specialist or supervisory roles

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LINCOLN COLLEGE

Kateryna Shevchenko

apprenticeships@lincolncollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050423.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Tuesday 15 September 2026 at 11:59pm)