Operations Apprentice

Ultra Electronics, Precision Control Systems

Gloucestershire (GL51 6PN)

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026

Posted on 1 December 2025


Summary

Ultra PCS Apprentices attend the Technical Training Academy.  You will be taken through product assembly courses to prepare for transition into the Operations Team. You will be supported to ensure you receive correct information/guidance through processes/operations focused on manufacture/testing of electronic and mechanical equipment.

Wage

£19,240 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We offer a range of flexible employee benefits, 25 days paid holiday, life insurance 4x, pension schemes, opportunities to progress and an on-site restaurant for example

Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
Mon - Thur 8am- 4.45pm, Fri 8am - 12pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 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

As an Ultra PCS Apprentice you will carryout supervised six month department rotations through a combination of training within an operations team focused on: Manufacture of military and commercial aerospace products in accordance with technical drawings, manufacture instructions, Visual & Mechanical inspection and Automated Test Programs of electronic systems. You will also receive monthly reviews with your line manager to ensure you have the support and guidance required to achieve your objectives.

Where you'll work

Arle Court
Hatherley Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 6PN

Training

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

Training provider

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGINEERING TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Training schedule

Our training partner is Gloucester Engineering Training (GET) based in Gloucester. GET provides the first-year practical delivery and the following years of classroom-based learning. This will include a phased introduction by joining the Ultra PCS team in the half term and summer closure of GET College. Your second year will include day release to GET and rotations within operations which will expose you to all aspects of production.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 9 - 4)
  • Maths (grade 9 - 4)
  • Science (grade 9 - 4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

2 other subjects (grade 9 - 4)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

You will attend daily team meetings to discuss operational matters and be allocated tasks to meet engineering and manufacturing deadlines.
These include:
Safety and Quality Issues
Delivery Commitments
Exposure to product line manufacture
Interpretation of Technical drawings
Automated test procedures
Compile evidence of competence

About this employer

Ultra PCS Limited specialises in designing, developing, and manufacturing advanced data and power management solutions, particularly for dismounted soldiers and land platforms within military applications, and also provides critical control systems for both military and civil aircraft. They are known for their rugged electronics and solutions designed for challenging environments where size, weight, and power are limited.

After this apprenticeship

You will receive both IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-610 qualifications which is the foundation of an Operations Apprentice role and whilst you gain all the skills and knowledge required, we will work with you to find suitable employment on completion of your apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGINEERING TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000002926.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026

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