Metal Fabricator Apprentice
StandardAero
Hampshire (PO13 0AA)
Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026
Posted on 10 February 2026
Contents
Summary
As a metal fabricator apprentice, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring military aircraft are maintained and are airworthy. You will be paid to study and gain practical skills to manufacture, repair and modify aircraft sheet metal components using machines such as guillotines, bending and folding machines.
- Wage
-
£19,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Yearly salary increase dependent on performance
- Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 3.30pm, Friday, 7.00am - 12.00pm.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
2
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 a metal fabricator apprentice, you will:
- Fabricate, form, assemble, and repair aircraft sheet metal components including skins, panels, brackets, doublers, and structural assemblies
- Work within the local manufacture project to create parts for aircraft to compliment the extensive maintenance programme
- Effectively complete fine limit sheet metal work
- Interpret and work from aircraft maintenance manuals (AMM), engineering drawings, specifications and process documentation
- Use hand tools, power tools, jigs, fixtures, and shop equipment safely and effectively
- Inspect completed work to ensure conformity with specifications, tolerances, and quality standards
- Accurately complete maintenance documentation, work cards, and job records in accordance with company and regulatory procedures
- Work within a highly skilled team supporting RAF Chinook helicopter depth maintenance
- Over the course of the programme, you will study towards your Level 3 Diploma whilst acquiring the knowledge, skills and competence to operate as a metal fabricator alongside our adept team who will offer guidance and mentorship
Where you'll work
Fleetlands Fareham Road
Gosport
Hampshire
PO13 0AA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)
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
- The training will be delivered by Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA)
- Your training will be delivered as a mixture of block release and day release at SETA, First Ave, Millbrook, Southampton SO15 0LJ
- The schedule of this block and day release is to be confirmed
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Team working
- Patience
- Able to follow instructions
- Accuracy
- Willingness to learn
Other requirements
- Passing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Passing a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check
- Our apprenticeship roles do not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers. You must have permanent right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship to be eligible to apply.
About this employer
StandardAero is a leading global provider of Aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services including airframe and engine repair and overhaul, engine component repair, avionics upgrades, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications.
https://standardaero.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
206 hours annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, Half Day Fridays, 4% employer match pension scheme, Access to wellbeing and rewards services, Generous paid sick leave, Cycle to work scheme, Free access to onsite gym
After this apprenticeship
- Upon completion of your apprenticeship programme, you could be offered a full-time permanent position with the chance to progress within the team
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012817.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.