Technical Project Design Apprentice (Level 6)

ISHIDA EUROPE LTD.

West Midlands (B32 3DB)

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 1 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 12 February 2026


Summary

Ishida Europe is a World leader in the design, manufacture and installation of complete weighing and packing line solutions. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Project Engineering Apprentice (Level 6) to join the Projects team in Woodgate, Birmingham.

Wage

£23,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Your salaray will increase to £25,000 in Year 2, £27,000 in Year 3 and £30,000 in Year 4.

Training course
Manufacturing engineer (degree) (level 6)
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 08:30 - 17:00 & Friday: 08:30 - 16:30

38 hours 15 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 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

We are seeking to employ and train two Technical Product Design Engineers through a Level 6 advanced apprenticeship.

As a Technical Product Design Engineering Apprentice, you will undertake a structured Level 6-degree level apprenticeship designed to develop highly capable engineers for the food manufacturing and packaging sector.

You will gain strong engineering fundamentals before specialising in the design and development of Ishida’s products for customers across EMEA.

The apprenticeship includes a structured four-year development plan, combining education, placements and progressive responsibility across engineering and related functions.

The training and development you receive will give you the skills, knowledge and confidence to:

  • Produce BOM’s, development work, enquiries and value engineering activities on-time and to the correct specification, hygiene and quality standards
  • Select appropriate third-party components to be used within designs
  • To produce assembly and detail drawings from a layout drawing
  • To produce costing sheets for proposed designs, parts and assemblies
  • To formulate technical specifications for parts and products
  • Establish good working relationship with manufacturing teams, planning, purchasing, sales and other key members of all departments
  • Utilise in house software to develop and design machine lines to be installed at customer sites

Where you'll work

11 Kettles Wood Drive
Woodgate Business Park
Birmingham
West Midlands
B32 3DB

Training

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

Training provider

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

Training course

Manufacturing engineer (degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
  • Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
  • Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
  • Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
  • Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
  • Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
  • Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
  • Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
  • Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
  • Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
  • Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
  • Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
  • Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
  • Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
  • Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
  • Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
  • Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
  • Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
  • Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.
  • Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes, operational designs, or specifications for manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
  • Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve problems and determine solutions or actions.
  • Collate, store, use and present data and supporting documentation.
  • Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics.
  • Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data evidence.
  • Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as planning, safety, quality, cost, performance and sustainability.
  • Apply processes for project or programme management such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
  • Comply with statutory and organisational safety and security standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
  • Identify and use manufacturing processes, resources and technologies to turn the materials, components or other commodities into a finished product or system.
  • Apply quality management and assurance processes to identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the manufacturing engineering process.
  • Carry out pre operations checks of engineering manufacturing systems and equipment before use.
  • Manage continuous improvement activities using techniques such as Six Sigma, 5s, Kaizen, Lean, Kanban, Statistical Process Control or Value Stream Mapping.
  • Create, maintain and review project documentation. Record and action any non-conformities.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicate in writing for example technical reports, documents and presentations.
  • Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders. Manage differing and competing interests with stakeholders.
  • Identify and complete opportunities for personal and professional development including keeping up to date with current and emerging technology.
  • Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Consider management of change (MOC) requirements when undertaking manufacturing projects or programmes of work.
  • Comply with environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and standards associated with the manufacturing engineering environment. Uses resources efficiently, for example waste minimisation.
  • Ensure equipment is managed and maintained.
  • Optimise processes and procedures, such as relating to safety, efficiency, performance, productivity and sustainability.
  • Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured, checked and tested for safe operation, efficiency and reliability.

Training schedule

Your apprenticeship Journey:

  • In year 1, you will spend the majority of your time at BMET, mastering engineering fundamentals, both theoretical and practical with time back at Ishida to consolidate your learning
  • Following year 1, you will spend 1 day a week studying and the rest of your time at Ishida, rotating through structured placements across the business to develop a broad understanding of our products, services and engineering capabilities
  • During years 3 and 4, you will spend one day a week studying the degree part of your apprenticeship at Birmingham City University (BCU)
  • You will have the opportunity to work on real world challenges, where you will see how your contributions can make a positive impact on the business
  • Your work will see you involved in anything from customer and supplier visits, factory acceptance testing, installations and site acceptance testing project tasks, to name a few
  • You will have a dedicated work mentor with planned regular reviews to support your progression
  • The type of working environment is one of “Teamwork” where collaboration, engagement, positive challenges where the individual can demonstrate their skills and abilities to make a difference

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Any (grade 4/C or above)
  • Any (grade 4/C or above)
  • English (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (grade 4/C or above)
  • Science (grade 4/C or above)

BTEC in:

Engineering (grade Pass 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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Technical skills
  • Innovative
  • Accountability
  • Positive attitude
  • Passionate

Other requirements

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with company standards and to participate in learning and development activities relevant to their role. Ishida Europe is committed to providing structured development opportunities that support the progressive build-up of skills, knowledge and experience.

Upon successful completion of the programme, apprentices are expected to move into their designated roles, with remuneration reviewed and set in line with the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

You must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a car by the start of the apprenticeship programme.

About this employer

Ishida a world leader in the design, manufacture and installation of weighing and packing line solutions, Ishida has an in-depth understanding of many diverse industries – from meat to confectionery, from snacks to frozen food and more. Ishida Europe has its headquarters in Birmingham, UK, and serves Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). We have wholly owned Ishida sales companies in 9 countries, and committed, experienced agents and distributors in a further 15 countries. Innovative weighing and packaging equipment plus complete line solutions for these territories are developed and constructed in our UK manufacturing facility.

Our people:
The wealth of knowledge and experience of Ishida personnel enables manufacturers to benefit from the best solutions to improve their weighing and packing operations. This allows customers to focus on their own business, while we focus on solving their challenges.

Our innovations:
Ishida Europe uses know-how, creativity and state-of-the art technology to develop weighing and packing solutions enabling our customers to stay ahead. We aim for continuous technical improvement - from our revolutionary multi-head weighers and check weighers to our latest innovations such as the tray sealers and case packing systems.

https://www.ishidaeurope.com/en/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Apprentices at Ishida Europe will be eligible for annual salary increases throughout the four-year apprenticeship programme, subject to the achievement of defined learning outcomes.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, you will be well positioned to progress into a permeant engineering role within Ishida, typically within Technical Product Design or a related engineering discipline.

This may include:

  • A structured technical career pathway, allowing you to deepen your expertise and take on increasingly complex design responsibility
  • Opportunities to progress into senior technical, project or specialist engineering roles
  • Longer-term progression into people leadership or management roles for those who wish to develop in that direction

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015231.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Sunday 1 March 2026 at 11:59pm)