Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship

TROPICAL MARINE CENTRE LIMIT LIMITED

RICKMANSWORTH (WD3 5SX)

Closes in 15 days (Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 14 July 2026

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Contents

Summary

Tropical Marine Centre, is looking for an enthusiastic apprentice to join its specialist production team. This is an exciting opportunity to develop valuable engineering skills while working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 Engineering Fitter qualification.

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Saturday 1 August 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

You'll learn from experienced engineers and fabricators, helping to manufacture advanced aquatic filtration systems used by public aquariums, research facilities, aquaculture operations, and conservation projects across the globe.

What You'll Be Doing:

As an Engineering Fitter Apprentice, you'll gain practical experience in manufacturing and assembly activities, including:

  • Cutting, preparing, and assembling PVC pipework to precise specifications
  • Learning plastic heat-welding and solvent-welding techniques
  • Building and assembling commercial UV steriliser systems
  • Producing sub-assemblies including manifolds, fittings, and flow-control components
  • Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and assembly instructions
  • Maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality throughout the manufacturing process
  • Working alongside experienced engineers within a specialist manufacturing environment

Where you'll work

SOLESBRIDGE LANE
CHORLEYWOOD
RICKMANSWORTH
WD3 5SX

Training

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

Training provider

OAKLANDS COLLEGE

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

You will complete a Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship while receiving extensive workplace training from experienced specialists. You'll develop skills in fabrication, assembly, engineering drawings, quality standards, and manufacturing processes. 

You will be required to attend 1 day a week at our Oaklands College Welwyn Garden City campus.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

Tropical Marine Centre is a world leader in the supply of quality ornamental marine fish and invertebrates.  Supplying livestock and aquatic products globally.   Partnering with ethical suppliers and distributors in support of the company’s vision.

TMC is also UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative commercial filtration equipment and quality branded aquatic products.

https://tropicalmarinecentre.com/uk/about-tmc (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Future Prospects:

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role within Biosystems, with opportunities to continue developing your engineering and manufacturing career within a specialist and growing industry.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

OAKLANDS COLLEGE

Will Ellis

will.ellis@oaklands.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041896.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Thursday 30 July 2026 at 11:59pm)