Apprentice Engineering Design & Draughtperson

Summary

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a CAD Apprentice. You will be working closely with our experienced design and engineering team to contribute to the creation of precision-engineered GRP products.

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

Engineering design technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm (One day at College, day to be confirmed).

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 2025

Duration

3 years 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

As an apprentice at EMJ Plastics, you will be trained to:

Create 2D and 3D models for GRP components
Work safely at all times, complying with relevant national and industry health and safety requirements
Work in accordance with company management systems, policies and procedures
Employ the appropriate use of computer-based technology
Review and interpret technical information and requirements from different sources, e.g. specifications, concepts, stakeholders
Identify inaccuracies or discrepancies in engineering drawings and specifications and propose solutions
Identify and assess factors that affect designs, e.g. materials, application, location, risk and environment
Design engineering concepts to solve engineering challenges
Develop effective solutions which satisfy the required standards and can be manufactured, proven, operated and maintained in a cost-effective way whilst minimising costs
Evaluate engineering designs to determine the most effective solution
Produce detailed engineering drawings to relevant standards and codes, using paper and computer
Check completed drawings for quality, technical compliance and completeness - both own or those of peers
Communicate and co-ordinate engineering design options with relevant stakeholders, colleagues and clients using sketches, schemes, models, detailed drawings and reports

Where you'll work

EMJ PLASTICS LTD
UNIT 8 STERLING BUSINESS PARK
PARK FARM ROAD
FOXHILLS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
DN15 8QP

Training

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

College or training organisation

DN COLLEGES GROUP

Your training course

Engineering design technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
Work in accordance with the design process, company management systems, policies and procedures.
Review and interpret technical information and requirements from different sources such as specifications, engineering drawings, concepts, stakeholders.
Identify and assess factors that affect designs such as materials, application, location, risk and environment.
Select materials and parts.
Propose and evaluate ideas for sustainable engineering concepts to solve engineering challenges.
Develop solutions that can be manufactured or built, and proven, operated and maintained during their operational life and decommissioned or recycled at the end of their operational life.
Provide feedback on engineering designs.
Apply quality assurance procedures to engineering drawings or models, including own designs and those of peers.
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
Produce written documents, schedules and reports.
Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
Identify inaccuracies or discrepancies in drawings and specifications and propose solutions.
Incorporate changes to an existing design as a result of any modifications made during the as-built implementation.
Create concepts for system layouts and associated components.
Read, interpret and establish design intent.
Determine the correct tolerances for components of the design.
Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Perform simple calculations to use in design drawings.
Use measuring techniques for reverse engineering.
Option 1. Produce general arrangements of electrical power.
Option 1. Produce detailed drawings of electrical power components such as wires connection, voltage, capacity, main switches.
Option 1. Identify cable types and application.
Option 1. Use digital tools such as CAD and BIM to produce electrical power project deliverables such as output drawings and electrical designs.
Option 2. Produce general arrangements of control and instrumentation designs.
Option 2. Produce detailed drawings of control and instrumentation components such as cable numbers, wire colours, junction block numbers and panel identification.
Option 2. Identify different cable types and appropriate application.
Option 2. Use digital tools such as CAD to produce control and instrumentation project deliverables.
Option 3. Produce general arrangements of mechanical designs.
Option 3. Produce detailed drawings of mechanical components such as part dimensions, shape and manufacture.
Option 3. Use digital tools such as CAD to produce mechanical project deliverables.
Option 4. Produce general arrangements of piping design.
Option 4. Produce detailed drawings of piping components such as pipework, ducts and fittings and including supports and skids.
Option 4. Use digital tools such as CAD or Plant Design Management Systems to produce piping design project deliverables.
Option 5. Produce general arrangements of structures showing multiple materials such as steel, concrete, masonry, timber.
Option 5. Produce detailed drawings for multiple materials such as steel, concrete, timber or masonry.
Option 5. Use digital tools such as CAD and BIM to produce structural project deliverables.
Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
Work in accordance with the design process, company management systems, policies and procedures.
Review and interpret technical information and requirements from different sources such as specifications, engineering drawings, concepts, stakeholders.
Identify and assess factors that affect designs such as materials, application, location, risk and environment.
Select materials and parts.
Propose and evaluate ideas for sustainable engineering concepts to solve engineering challenges.
Develop solutions that can be manufactured or built, and proven, operated and maintained during their operational life and decommissioned or recycled at the end of their operational life.
Provide feedback on engineering designs.
Apply quality assurance procedures to engineering drawings or models, including own designs and those of peers.
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
Produce written documents, schedules and reports.
Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
Identify inaccuracies or discrepancies in drawings and specifications and propose solutions.
Incorporate changes to an existing design as a result of any modifications made during the as-built implementation.
Create concepts for system layouts and associated components.
Read, interpret and establish design intent.
Determine the correct tolerances for components of the design.
Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Perform simple calculations to use in design drawings.
Use measuring techniques for reverse engineering.

Your training plan

Training will be at North Lindsey College/ Doncaster College, where you will access a wide range of facilities on offer. 

Block release/ Day release  
You will undertake the Engineering Design Technician standard   
You will have a Grade 5 or above in Maths and English

You will undertake both on and off-the-job training by a team of industry-qualified professionals to give you the best skills, knowledge and experience that will help you become an engineer of the future! 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade B/5)
Maths (grade B/5)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

You must be able to travel to and from work and college. Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that's part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week). The Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage guide is updated every April (ANMW): https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

About this company

For over 50 years EMJ Plastics have been the UK’s leading manufacturer of GRP Permanent Bridge Deck Formwork, working with most UK construction companies and engineering consultants. EMJ Plastics have provided GRP permanent formwork solutions for over 5000 bridge and civil structures worldwide. Our easy transported Permadec panels have been exported throughout the globe, and we continue to expand our export markets. Our panels are made to order and manufactured by skilled craftsman at our Scunthorpe manufacturing facility.

Company benefits

What We Offer: A fully supported apprenticeship with on-the-job training. Mentoring from experienced engineers and technicians. Career progression opportunities within the business. A supportive hands-on learning environment in a growing industry.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a higher-level apprenticeship or full-time employment for the right candidate.

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