Welder Apprentice

Summary

Hill Helicopters are transforming private aviation through the design and manufacture of luxury personal helicopters. Based in Stafford, Staffordshire, they offer a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in high-performance aerospace engineering within a fast-growing, innovative team.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Welder (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 4.00pm and Friday, 7.00am - 1.00pm with time-off to attend The JCB Academy.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 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

The first 19 weeks are spent at The JCB Academy, where you will learn and develop core welding techniques in a dedicated training environment.
You will then apply these skills in a real-world setting at Hill Helicopters in Stafford, gaining hands-on experience while building a portfolio that showcases your practical expertise.

Where you'll work

Unit 3
Shackleton Way
Stafford
ST16 1GY

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE JCB ACADEMY

Your training course

Welder (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Apply health and safety procedures including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Collect and use information - text and data. For example, manufacturer's instructions, manuals, job instructions, drawings and quality control documentation.
Prepare welding materials and work area: sourcing, checking and protecting.
Prepare welding machines or equipment and safety protection measures, for example, check calibration and maintenance dates, inspection for cable damage.
Check and use or operate tools and equipment.
Set, modify and monitor welding controls, for example, current, arc voltage, wire feed speed, gas flow rates, polarity, mechanised tractor units.
Identify issues and actions required. Escalate issues or concerns.
Use manual processes and equipment to remove material before and after welding.
Weld using processes, for example, tungsten inert gas (TIG), plasma arc welding (PAW), manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), tractor-mounted metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), tractor-mounted flux cored arc welding (FCAW), tractor-mounted or orbital tungsten inert gas (TIG), tractor-mounted or orbital plasma arc welding (PAW).
Adapt welding technique to weld different material groups, for example, carbon steel, low alloy steel (3-7% alloy content), high alloy ferritic or martensitic steel (>7% alloy content), austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steels, nickel and nickel alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, copper and copper alloys.
Weld materials in different joint configurations, for example, butt, T-butt, fillet, cladding or buttering.
Adapt welding techniques to weld materials in different positions, for example, down-hand, horizontal-vertical, horizontal, vertical-up, vertical-down, overhead, inclined.
Identify surface defects.
Apply visual inspection, dimensional and alignment checks.
Restore the work area on completion of the welding activity, for example, clean equipment and machinery, tidy the work area, return excess resources and consumables.
Communicate verbally with others, for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, supervisors and managers.
Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards and guidance. Segregate resources for re-use, recycling and disposal.
Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Follow work instructions - verbal or written.
Apply team working principles.
Apply health and safety procedures including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Collect and use information - text and data. For example, manufacturer's instructions, manuals, job instructions, drawings and quality control documentation.
Prepare welding materials and work area: sourcing, checking and protecting.
Prepare welding machines or equipment and safety protection measures, for example, check calibration and maintenance dates, inspection for cable damage.
Check and use or operate tools and equipment.
Set, modify and monitor welding controls, for example, current, arc voltage, wire feed speed, gas flow rates, polarity, mechanised tractor units.
Identify issues and actions required. Escalate issues or concerns.
Use manual processes and equipment to remove material before and after welding.
Weld using processes, for example, tungsten inert gas (TIG), plasma arc welding (PAW), manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), tractor-mounted metal inert or metal active gas (MIG or MAG), tractor-mounted flux cored arc welding (FCAW), tractor-mounted or orbital tungsten inert gas (TIG), tractor-mounted or orbital plasma arc welding (PAW).
Adapt welding technique to weld different material groups, for example, carbon steel, low alloy steel (3-7% alloy content), high alloy ferritic or martensitic steel (>7% alloy content), austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steels, nickel and nickel alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys, titanium and titanium alloys, copper and copper alloys.
Weld materials in different joint configurations, for example, butt, T-butt, fillet, cladding or buttering.
Adapt welding techniques to weld materials in different positions, for example, down-hand, horizontal-vertical, horizontal, vertical-up, vertical-down, overhead, inclined.
Identify surface defects.
Apply visual inspection, dimensional and alignment checks.
Restore the work area on completion of the welding activity, for example, clean equipment and machinery, tidy the work area, return excess resources and consumables.
Communicate verbally with others, for example, internal and external customers, colleagues, supervisors and managers.
Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards and guidance. Segregate resources for re-use, recycling and disposal.
Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Follow work instructions - verbal or written.
Apply team working principles.

Your training plan

Year 1

First 19 weeks spent at The JCB Academy learning fundamental welding skills and techniques
Remainder of the academic year spent on-site at Hill Helicopters in Stafford
Phased introduction to the working environment and welding operations
Regular academic support and mentoring
Participation in a residential trip and ongoing enrichment activities

Year 2

Full-time, on-site training at Hill Helicopters
Weekly off-the-job hours and structured classroom sessions
Peer mentoring and skills development on the shop floor
Involvement in live build projects
Continued academic support and enrichment opportunities
Comprehensive preparation for End Point Assessment (EPA)

More training information

As an official training partner, The JCB Academy delivers the classroom-based element of the welding apprenticeship programme. Specialising in engineering education, the academy provides a high-quality technical curriculum tailored to meet the needs of advanced manufacturers such as Hill Helicopters. Learners benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, expert instruction, and a curriculum designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in a modern welding and fabrication environment.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Mathematics (grade 4)

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
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative

About this company

Hill Helicopters is a pioneering British aerospace manufacturer based in Stafford. Dedicated to redefining personal aviation, we design and manufacture the HX50—an entirely new class of luxury private helicopter—developed and engineered completely in-house. Combining innovation with precision, Hill Helicopters integrates airframe, engine, avionics, and interior design to create a seamless and elegant flying experience. With a strong focus on craftsmanship, advanced materials, and engineering excellence, the company is rapidly expanding to meet global demand. As part of our long-term strategy, we are committed to investing in the next generation of engineers and fabricators—offering outstanding opportunities for learners to grow within a business that is shaping the future of general aviation.

https://www.hillhelicopters.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Hill Helicopters offers excellent prospects for progression beyond the Level 2 apprenticeship.
Progression to a Level 3 welding or fabrication qualification is a realistic and encouraged pathway for those who demonstrate commitment and ability.
Many of our apprentices continue their careers within the business, taking on greater responsibilities as their skills develop.
For those with exceptional drive and determination, further academic sponsorship—potentially leading to degree-level study—may also be considered.

Ask a question

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