Fabrication and Welding Apprentice
BEARWARD ENGINEERING LIMITED
Northamptonshire (NN4 8HJ)
Closes in 19 days (Tuesday 30 September 2025)
Posted on 10 September 2025
Contents
Summary
We’re looking for a driven and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a metal fabrication apprentice. This is a fantastic opportunity to start a career in a practical, hands-on industry, working in a busy workshop environment and gaining valuable experience while earning a wage.
- Wage
-
£26,102.96 a year
- Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
08:00 - 16:00. Days to be confirmed.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 October 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
- Project based fabrications, working with engineers to fabricate in house production equipment and tools
- Working on global intercompany fabrications for the rail industry and power generation sides of the Wabtec group
- Working with drawings and measuring equipment, saws and drills
Where you'll work
Main Road
Far Cotton
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN4 8HJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
- Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
- Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
- 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.
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
- Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
- Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
- Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
- Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
- Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
- Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
- Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
- Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
- Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
- 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.
- Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems 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.
- Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
- Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
- Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
- Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
- Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
- Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
Training schedule
In house training will include:
- MIG welding on mild steel
- Understanding engineering drawings
- Use of measuring equipment and gauges
- 5S
Training with Northampton College will take place one day per week at the Booth Lane campus.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Ability to read drawings
- Can-do attitude
- Adaptable/Flexible
- Ability to prioritise
- Manual dexterity
- Knowledge of equipment
- Good housekeeping
- Ability to work unsupported
- Take pride in workmanship
Other requirements
Level 2 qualification in welding. Working towards welding standard AWS D15.1.
About this employer
Founded in 1958, Bearward Engineering design and manufacture a variety of cooling systems and related components, including radiators and charge air coolers. The company’s customers include manufacturers in the power generation, off-highway and construction markets worldwide. Based from their 50,000 square metre site in Northampton, the company’s constant emphasis on innovation and technical expertise confirms its position as a market leader. In 2011, the family owned company was acquired by an American company, Wabtec Corporation, a global provider of products and services primarily for the rail and transit industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles.
Company benefits
Pension scheme Enhanced holiday scheme (service dependant) Access to retail discounts 4 x life assurance Sick pay scheme Free hot drinks
After this apprenticeship
Potential for further weld development.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340231.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Tuesday 30 September 2025)
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