Welder/Fabricator Apprenticeship
Ascendant Access
WASHINGTON (NE38 0AE)
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 20 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 August 2026
Contents
Summary
As a Fabricator/Welder, you will be responsible for reading engineering drawings, fabricating and welding metal components, and ensuring all work is completed to the highest quality standards.
- Wage
-
£16,432 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Metal fabricator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday, 7.00am to 4.00pm.
Friday, 7.00am to 12.30pm.
39 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
- Read and interpret 2D and 3D engineering drawings.
- Measure, mark out, cut and prepare materials for fabrication.
- Ensure all required components are available before assembly.
- Fabricate and weld metal components and structures to specification.
- Work with mild steel, Zintec and galvanised sheet materials.
- Grind, dress and finish completed fabrications.
- Carry out quality inspections on completed work.
- Complete quality inspection documentation.
- Follow all company health and safety procedures.
Where you'll work
UNIT 1 TILLEY ROAD
CROWTHER
WASHINGTON
NE38 0AE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GATESHEAD COLLEGE
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
You will work towards a Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship with day release at Gateshead College.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any 3 other GCSEs (grade C/4 or above)
- English (grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade C/4 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
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Reliable
- Willingness to learn
- Interest in field
- Practical hands-on skills
- Ability to MIG weld
About this employer
Ascendant Access is a local company that designs and builds a wide range of powered access platforms that excel in performance and durability. The company based in Washington who currently employs around twenty personnel and are looking to significantly expand the workforce to meet current sales.
Company benefits
- Full time employment
- Qualification
- Pension
- Progression within the company
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Progression within the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
GATESHEAD COLLEGE
Apprenticeships
apprenticeships@gateshead.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046628.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Thursday 20 August 2026 at 11:59pm)