Fabrication Apprentice

SMITH OF DERBY LTD

DERBY (DE21 4AU)

Closes in 29 days (Sunday 30 November 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 31 October 2025


Summary

This is apprenticeship is designed to lead towards being an experienced and professional engineer (clockmaker). The successful candidates will have the opportunity to follow a path of mechanical engineer, electrical engineer or fabrication engineer. This is a hands-on role, so be prepared to get stuck in!

Wage

£15,311.40 to £24,761.88, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Regular reviews based on performance

Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 8.00am - 5.00pm. Friday 8.00am to 1.00pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 December 2025

Duration

3 years

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

Apprentices will work on various projects and learn basic engineering skills of restoration and refurbishment, both on-site and within our Derby-based workshop, working alongside time-served engineers. The role will be very varied and will cover the key aspects of:

  • Fabrication
  • Making & mending
  • Gear cutting
  • Hand gold-leafing
  • Mechanical repairs
  • Electronics - installation, fault determination and repair

Where you'll work

112 ALFRETON ROAD
DERBY
DE21 4AU

Training

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

Training provider

TRAINING SERVICES 2000 LTD

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

An apprenticeship allows you to earn a wage, gain valuable work experience and industry specific competence. You will be expected
to work towards the Metal Fabricator level 3, with support from your employer and the Chesterfield College Group.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/C)
  • Science (grade 4/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Potential for working away on-site installations later in the apprenticeship.

About this employer

Smith of Derby Ltd has been making and maintaining clocks on town halls, cathedrals, railway stations, universities, and civic spaces all over the world since 1856. The team holds the highest concentration of skills in these fields on the planet and deploys these today on landmark projects all over the world. We are proud of the ways in which we combine respect for tradition and constant innovation.

http://www.smithofderby.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Full-time role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRAINING SERVICES 2000 LTD

James Sayles

saylesj@chesterfield.ac.uk

01246500500

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000349112.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Sunday 30 November 2025 at 11:59pm)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.