Production Operator Apprenticeship
SONE PRODUCTS LTD
Stanley (DH9 9QX)
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 1 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Provide day-to-day production support to the manufacturing departments (Assemble, Injection Moulding, Injection Blow Moulding, following standard operation protocols, and maintaining rigorous health and safety standards.
Completing thorough quality inspections on completed products, and completing documentation on all products.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
There is a rotation of possible shifts which include evening work -
Monday to Friday 6am-2pm or 10pm-6am
30 mins break each dayOR
Monday to Thursday 2pm-10pm and Friday 2pm-7.30pm
Mon-Thurs 30 min break and 20 min on a Fri*Working hours vary from 35-37.5 per week plus breaks depending on the shift pattern*
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 6.00am - 2.00pm or 10.00pm - 6.00am - 30 minutes break each day.
Monday - Thursday 2.00pm - 10.00pm and Friday 2.00pm - 7.30pm.
Monday - Thursday - 30 minute break and 20 minutes on a Friday.
*See notes for full shift detail*
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 November 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 3 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
- Following standard operation protocols, and maintaining rigorous health and safety standards, Assembly of products with a variety of hand tools used to ensure items are correctly assembled
- Completing thorough quality inspections on completed products, and completing paperwork on all products
- Quality inspections on a variety of products, marking defects and placing items in designated area for collection
- Safely operate machinery to produce high quality products
- To undertake all tasks allocated by the Manufacturing Coordinator
- Check capping depths and ensure machines are running properly
- General housekeeping
- Fill up hoppers
- Make up, pack boxes and place completed boxes on pallets
- Complete necessary paperwork, including downtime, box sheets, booking in form and time sheets with scores
- Inform technician (s) of any breakdowns
- Providing cover for machines through breaks
- Prepare for product change over
- Return spare parts to stores
- Clean down machines at end of shift
- Maintain good Health & Safety and Lean Manufacturing standards
Where you'll work
Stationfield Road Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate South Tanfield Lea
Stanley
DH9 9QX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DERWENTSIDE 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 apprenticeship is delivered using a blended learning approach which includes workplace visits by the Training Consultant and one day per week release to Derwentside College.
Requirements
Desirable 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
Other requirements
Applicants should be 18 years old or above due to the nature of the work.
About this employer
SONE Products Ltd is a UK-based plastic packaging manufacturer that has been in operation for over 40 years. The company specializes in the design, manufacturing, and assembly of small plastic packs for liquids, including e-liquids and cosmetics. SONE Products is known for its exceptional customer care and has a no-compromise approach to providing market-leading products. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident in their ongoing investment in plant and machinery to support their business strategy. SONE Products Ltd is actively trading and has a registered office located in Stanley, County Durham.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to build a broad understanding of how a plastics manufacturing business operates while gaining practical experience across a range of business functions.
The longer-term aim is to develop the apprentice into a valued and capable member of the business who can progress into a permanent position and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058014.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 1 November 2026 at 11:59pm)