Mechanical Technician Apprentice
GAIACODE LTD
READING (RG7 2LU)
Closes on Sunday 30 August 2026
Posted on 21 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Looking for a person interested in working with tools and their hands to assemble delicate seismometer devices/mechanical assemblies.
More specialised interests often emerge from this work, and training opportunities for those interests are supported.
- Wage
-
£14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. This would be a “full-time” position. Many choose to work longer than this.
Open to discussion on start time of day after probationary period, e.g. 8-4pm option available.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- 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
- Your primary responsibility would be for building the latest generation of seismometer instruments and hardware, designed by world-leading scientists in this field, with a long-term orientation towards the mechanical handling of instruments and contributing to mechanical design modifications. We ship globally, so your instruments will be sent across 7 continents.
- Additional responsibilities beyond this are difficult to define, as we are a small company with numerous areas for expansion (10 people as of January 16, 2026). Here, there is the opportunity to be as responsible as you can manage; there is an enormous amount of work available to do.
Skills
- Any extracurricular experience working with building/assembly and electronics is welcomed.
- Screwdriver and soldering work
- Changing bike chains
- Replacing fuses, breadboard/PCB work
- Garage work/car repairs
- Handyman skills
Where you'll work
DICKERS FARM
BRAMLEY ROAD
SILCHESTER
READING
RG7 2LU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
Training will take place one day a week at the college, and the remaining time will be on the customer premises.
The college courses are assessed through the completion of college assignments.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C or above)
- maths (grade 4/C or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
Driving licence recommended, for convenience, as public transport to this address is limited.
DBS check.
About this employer
Science-based seismometer instrument manufacturer.
After this apprenticeship
The course offers progression to the HNC and is a recognised means of career progression within the engineering industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000009881.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 30 August 2026