Apprentice Welder

Summary

You will be actively and enthusiastically engaged in all activities, to ensure that you learn the practical skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding required to qualify as a Welder. Whilst ensuring health and safety and statutory regulations and procedures are followed throughout. If you have an interest in Welding, please apply.

Wage

£14,922.60 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hourly rate will increase with each completed year of the apprenticeship

Training course

Plate welder (level 3)

Hours

Monday – Thursday, 08.00 - 16.30. Friday, 08.00 - 14.30 – total 38 hours per week.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

10

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

To be dependable and responsible, (punctual and reliable).
Learn and follow all health and safety procedures required to keep yourself and others safe.
Familiarise yourself with all equipment; learning how to conduct pre-user checks and report all defects.
Learn how to safely use all plant and equipment.
Positively commit with mentor, training officers, supervisor and HR to complete all elements of the training programme in a timely manner.
Attend full time, block release and/or day release in college, work diligently to complete, modules, units and elements of theoretical learning and underpinning knowledge in a timely manner.
Following an initial period of ‘Basic Engineering Skills Training’.
Become proficient in Welding using various procedures on all joint configurations, in all positions, meeting specific standards. Assist in the preparation and assembly of components prior to Welding.
Follow instructions and advice of supervisors; make a positive contribution in the production process.
Successfully complete trade and coding qualification tests if required to meet Company needs, classification society requirements and specifications.
Conduct yourself in a professional manner in all contacts with course personnel, clients, inspectors, supervisors, maintaining the excellent reputation of the company.

Where you'll work

Cammell Laird Shipyard
Campbeltown Road
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 9BP

Training

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

College or training organisation

MARITIME + ENGINEERING COLLEGE NORTH WEST

Your 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)

Your training plan

Training will take place for one year full time at The Engineering College, Monks Ferry, Birkenhead. CH41 5LH.

After the first year you will move across to Cammell Lairds Shipyard.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or above)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Science (grade 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

• A pride in their work • A co-operative attitude/behaviour • Ability to work as part of a team or with autonomy, with consideration of diversity • A keen interest in engineering • Analytical and problem solving skills • Good communication skills • Independent learner • Determination to complete a task • Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines

About this company

Cammell Lairds is Known across the globe, the company was founded by Scottish entrepreneurs William Laird and his son John and has been operating since 1828s. Since its inception, Cammell Laird has built more than 1,350 ships including many famous and innovative vessels. Cammell Laird has been at the forefront of UK shipbuilding and ship repair for more than 120 years. As such, it has played a pivotal role in supporting the Wirral community, sustaining vital jobs and creating a lifeline for the Wirral economy.

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

After this apprenticeship

Previously our apprentices have gone onto roles in the Technical Office, QA, Management and Supervision roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MARITIME + ENGINEERING COLLEGE NORTH WEST

Elaine Kerr

e.kerr@theengineeringcollege.co.uk

07770349902

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000323404.

Apply now

Closes in 8 days (Monday 16 June 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents