Surface Mount Technology Apprentice

NORCOTT TECHNOLOGIES LTD

WIDNES (WA8 0QR)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 June 2026


Summary

This is a new opportunity to learn and work as a Surface Mount Technology Apprentice. Working on a highly complex production line you will develop new skills and knowledge with this electronic design and manufacturing leading employer. 

Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
Working hours are 7am to 5pm Monday to Thursday.

38 hours 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

Duties and responsibilities will include:

  • The production of high complexity assemblies using Juki and Europlacer machines
  • Line configuration / set up
  • Kitting and de-kitting of surface mount machines
  • Machine operation and programming
  • Solder paste printing
  • Manual insertion of components
  • In process quality inspection
  • Rework

Where you'll work

UNIT 1
SUNSET BUSINESS CENTRE
WATERLOO ROAD
WIDNES
WA8 0QR

Training

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

Training provider

RIVERSIDE COLLEGE

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

  • Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician, Level 3
  • Weekly attendance at Riverside College, Widnes

More training information

You will be given in house training along with attending college

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

4 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade Grades 9-4 (A-C))

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

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Patience
  • Manually dexterous
  • Interest in product lifecycle

Other requirements

We reserve the right to close this opportunity after 1 week if we have received enough applications, and therefore recommend you make an application as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the planned closing date as we cannot guarantee the vacancy will remain open for the whole time planned. 

If you are applying with qualifications other than those listed in the entry requirements (GCSE's), please make sure you have obtained official evidence of equivalency from UK ENIC before the application closing date. Please note, if you are shortlisted for the post we cannot progress your application any further without you providing evidence of this.   

About this employer

Norcott is a leading provider of electronic design and assembly services. We work with our customers at the leading edge of new product development from initial design, prototyping and certification through to volume manufacture, ongoing service, maintenance and repoar. In short - the compete product lifecycle. 

Company benefits

This position offers 20 days holiday, paid bank holidays and free parking. 

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • There may be opportunities to apply for positions within the company, if these arise following the Apprenticeship

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RIVERSIDE COLLEGE

Joanna Smith

joanna.smith@riversidecollege.ac.uk

01512572800

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037985.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)