Engineering Apprenticeship

Summary

We partner with fantastic training providers and offer an exciting, world class apprenticeship programme, where you will benefit from practical hands-on experience, project work, and training from our regional and national training centres.

Wage

£20,280 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Automation and controls engineering technician (level 4)

Hours

Year 1 – you will be based at our partnership training provider on a full-time basis, Years 2 to 4 – you will spend time away from home (approx. 45 days, Monday to Friday) Shifts to be confirmed.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

3

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

Year 1:

You will be based at our partnership training provider on a full-time basis, where you will learn the basics of engineering to achieve a Level 2 qualification
You will then go on to complete a Level 3 BTEC qualification which covers the same subjects in greater depth. The training provider is based in Birmingham and we will support your accomodation costs and travel

Years 2 to 4:

You will spend time away from home (approx. 45 days, Monday to Friday) to undertake a mixture of residential learning at our national training centres
You will meet and train with key equipment and robotics suppliers, undertake practical learning across our UK manufacturing plants. This multi-site exposure will support you in understanding the equipment you will be responsible for, build key relationships and learn from your colleagues
Wienerberger will cover the cost of your accommodation and travel

Where you'll work

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

Warnham Works, Langhurstwood Road, HORSHAM, RH12 4QD
Ewhurst Works, Horsham Road, Ockley, RH5 5QH

Training

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

College or training organisation

MAKERS ACADEMY LIMITED

Your training course

Automation and controls engineering technician (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Safety Effective - The ability to work safely in an industrial environment and where required, produce risk assessment and method statement documentation. Be able to apply the principles of functional machinery or process safety including SIL (Safety Integrated Level) and PL (Performance Level) terminology.
Engineering documentation - Production and interpretation of a range of technical documentation (device manuals, operating procedures, schematics, fault reports etc), and working with company documentation systems.
Project engineering capabilities - Support of installation, commissioning, shut-down, start-up and maintenance, service, or support of a wide range of systems and devices.
Diagnostic capabilities - Fault finding, diagnosis, rectification and reporting of automation control systems and controls applications via the utilisation of formal problem solving methods and diagnostic tools or software.
Instrumentation configuration and calibration - Set-up, calibrate and commission a wide variety of field level instrumentation that interfaces to automation and control systems
Industrial Networks configuration and support - configure, assist commissioning and continued support of industrial network solutions at all hierarchical levels of control system integration using the requisite tools and or software.
HMI and SCADA configuration and programming - Make changes to existing systems or implement new configurations.
PLC or Robot configuration and programming - Implement complex PLC or Robot program content and configurations to affect changes to increase availability and or efficiency of automation controlled machinery and the ability to configure PLC and or Robot hardware and program a wide variety of PLC’s and or Robot’s.
Safety Effective - The ability to work safely in an industrial environment and where required, produce risk assessment and method statement documentation. Be able to apply the principles of functional machinery or process safety including SIL (Safety Integrated Level) and PL (Performance Level) terminology.
Engineering documentation - Production and interpretation of a range of technical documentation (device manuals, operating procedures, schematics, fault reports etc), and working with company documentation systems.
Project engineering capabilities - Support of installation, commissioning, shut-down, start-up and maintenance, service, or support of a wide range of systems and devices.
Diagnostic capabilities - Fault finding, diagnosis, rectification and reporting of automation control systems and controls applications via the utilisation of formal problem solving methods and diagnostic tools or software.
Instrumentation configuration and calibration - Set-up, calibrate and commission a wide variety of field level instrumentation that interfaces to automation and control systems
Industrial Networks configuration and support - configure, assist commissioning and continued support of industrial network solutions at all hierarchical levels of control system integration using the requisite tools and or software.
HMI and SCADA configuration and programming - Make changes to existing systems or implement new configurations.
PLC or Robot configuration and programming - Implement complex PLC or Robot program content and configurations to affect changes to increase availability and or efficiency of automation controlled machinery and the ability to configure PLC and or Robot hardware and program a wide variety of PLC’s and or Robot’s.

Your training plan

Automation and Controls Engineering Technician Level 4 (Higher national certificate) Apprenticeship Standard:

On top of achieving your apprenticeship, you will also gain a number of vocational and academic qualifications which will be fully funded.

These include: 

Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
Certified 3-Day First Aid

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 5)
Maths (grade 5)
Science (grade 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

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working

About this company

Wienerberger is a leading international provider of building materials and infrastructure solutions. We improve the quality of life and shape the future of construction. With our 19,000 employees at 216 locations in 28 countries, we improve the lives of people all over the world. Our products and system solutions enable energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly and affordable living. We are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively. We encourage applications from all regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, social background, religion and faith.

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

Company benefits

Company Pension. SIP – ability to become a shareholder via our Share Scheme. Life Assurance. Flexible benefits offering (including health, wellbeing and money saving opportunities)

After this apprenticeship

When you have completed your Apprenticeship, you will be eligible to take on a permanent role with us
We can also provide you with the opportunity to further your technical knowledge by undertaking a degree in engineering

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: