Apprentice Welder/Fabricator
JACK NICHOLAS GROUP LTD
BUNTINGFORD (SG9 9QG)
Closes in 14 days (Friday 2 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 16 September 2026
Contents
Summary
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Plate welder (level 3)
- Hours
-
Full-time, Monday to Friday, working hours TBC.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 9 October 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 11 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 gain experience across different areas of our workshop and learn how metalwork components are manufactured from drawings through to finished products.
This will include:
- Learning MIG and TIG welding techniques
- Assisting with the fabrication of mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium components
- Learning how to read and work from engineering and fabrication drawings
- Cutting, drilling, grinding and preparing materials for fabrication
- Learning sheet metal fabrication techniques including folding, forming and assembly
- Using workshop machinery and hand tools under supervision
- Measuring and checking components to ensure they meet drawings and required tolerances
- Assisting experienced fabricators with bespoke architectural metalwork projects
- Learning about different materials, finishes and manufacturing processes
- Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment
- Following company health and safety procedures at all times
As your skills and experience develop, you will be given greater responsibility and the opportunity to manufacture components independently.
Where you'll work
1 COTTERED BARN
WARREN LANE
COTTERED
BUNTINGFORD
SG9 9QG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
HERTFORD REGIONAL COLLEGE
Training course
Plate welder (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
- Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
- Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
- Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
- Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
- Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
- Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
- Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
- Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
- Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
- Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
- Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
- Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
- Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
- Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
- Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
- Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
- Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
- Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
- Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
Training schedule
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the occupational standard.
More training information
Working towards Level 3 Plate Welder Apprenticeship Standard. Work based learning with attendance at the training centre in Letchworth 1 day per week.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9)
- Maths (grade 4-9)
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
- Number skills
- Team working
- Reliable
- Punctual
About this employer
Jack Nicholas Group Ltd is an established architectural and commercial metalwork company specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of high-quality bespoke metalwork.
Working from our manufacturing facility near Baldock, we undertake a wide variety of projects including architectural metalwork, precision sheet metalwork, fabrication and metal finishing for the commercial, construction, office fit-out and hospitality sectors.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The successful candidate will complete a recognised apprenticeship programme alongside practical training within Jack Nicholas Group.
You will work closely with experienced members of our manufacturing team and have the opportunity to develop skills in welding, sheet metalwork, fabrication and architectural metalwork.
Our aim is to develop the successful apprentice into a skilled and valued long-term member of our manufacturing team.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HERTFORD REGIONAL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053723.
Apply now
Closes in 14 days (Friday 2 October 2026 at 11:59pm)