Specialist Material Manufacturing Apprentice

MSA FOAMS LIMITED

Wimborne (BH21 7PE)

Closes on Monday 30 November 2026

Posted on 11 September 2026

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Contents

Summary

Apprentices will receive training from industry professionals in our production team. Apprentices will have the opportunity to work across multiple departments within our business and learn practical, hands-on skills in design and manufacturing.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 07:30 to 16:00. Friday, 07:30 to 15:00.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 4 January 2027

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

2

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

You will work as an apprentice in our production department at MSA Foams. Here, you will gain hands-on experience in all areas of the manufacturing process.

You will spend three months in each of our production departments to enhance your production skills and gain valuable experience in various engineering-related activities.

Your daily duties will vary depending on the rotation at the time. The departments you will be directly involved with are: 

  • Material Preparation: Conversion of raw foam sheets into pre-machined forms
  • CNC Machining: Automated, high-precision shaping using Computer Numerical Control
  • Print Application: Specialised printing and graphic implementation for visual enhancements
  • Final Assembly and Finishing: Integration of machined components and application of final finishes to achieve product completion

In addition to this, you will also learn other aspects of manufacturing, including health and safety and quality assurance.

This is a front-loaded course, and you will spend the first 12 weeks at Bournemouth and Poole College to ensure you fully understand the tools used in manufacturing. Once complete, you will work for the rest of your Apprenticeship at MSA.

Where you'll work

Unit 1-5
15 Cobham Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate
Wimborne
BH21 7PE

Training

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

Training provider

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE

Training course

Lean manufacturing 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, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
  • Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
  • Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
  • Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
  • Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
  • Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
  • Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
  • Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
  • Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
  • Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
  • Correctly position, align and secure the components
  • Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
  • Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
  • Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
  • Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
  • Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
  • Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
  • Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
  • Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
  • Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
  • Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
  • Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
  • Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
  • Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
  • Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
  • Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification

Training schedule

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

Training will take place at Bournemouth and Poole College and the employer locations.

More training information

The programme is front loaded so you can gain some of the knowledge and theory in the classrooom at the start of your training. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSEs including English and Maths (grade Grade 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

  • Attention to detail
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Timekeeping

Other requirements

The applicant will also have to apply direct to the Bournemouth & Poole College for an academic interview.

https://www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/front-loaded-lean-engineering-apprenticeship-level-2

About this employer

MSA Foams Ltd, an accredited foam converter under Zotefoams, was acquired by Peli Products UK, a renowned provider of rugged protective cases, in 2012. With a wide customer base, MSA Foams serves various industries, including defence packaging for military applications, as well as the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors. We specialise in creating bespoke foams for instrumentation, electronics, and other specific customer requirements

https://www.msa.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

A competitive benefits package includes a company pension (fully funded by the company through employer contributions), on-site parking, and a cycle-to-work scheme.

After this apprenticeship

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

Promotion opportunities and further education options also exist on the completion of training.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053081.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 30 November 2026