General Operative Apprentice
DATARACKS INDUSTRIES LTD
CAMBRIDGE (CB24 8FP)
Closes in 24 days (Friday 11 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 17 August 2026
Contents
Summary
Dataracks is a data centre manufacturer specialising in all forms of sheet metal work. The company designs and produces high-quality server racks, enclosures, and bespoke metal fabrications for IT and infrastructure environments. They are looking for an Engineering Operative to join the team.
- Wage
-
£20,800 a year
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 07:30 - 15:30.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- 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
Main Roles and Responsibilities:
Set and run machinery:
- This will include training on cnc punch presses, cnc laser machinery,and to inspect and learn to work to dwg files for all sheet metal work applications. This is a genuine opportunity to learn a matrix of skills within the industry
- Learning to read and understand engineering dwgs
- Powder coating training will be given
Where you'll work
STAGWOOD HOUSE
BEACH ROAD
COTTENHAM
CAMBRIDGE
CB24 8FP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
- Identify and deal appropriately with any risks, hazards, hazardous situations and problems that may occur within the engineering environment within the limits of their responsibility
- Demonstrate effective communication skills which include oral, written, electronic
- Complete appropriate documentation accurately, efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology where required
- Obtain and follow the correct documentation, specifications and work instructions in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the engineering activities, extracting the necessary data/information from specification and related documentation
- Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the engineering operation
- Deal appropriately with any problems that may occur within the manufacturing environment within the limits of their responsibility
- Work efficiently and effectively at all times maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste
- Carryout fault location on appropriate equipment using suitable maintenance diagnostic techniques
- Carryout maintenance activities in line with work instructions
- Carryout tests on the maintained equipment in accordance with test schedule/defined test procedures
- Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment to service by replacing or repairing components
- Plan the mechanical manufacturing operation before they start
- Mount and set the required workholding devices
- Produce individual components, sub-assemblies or completed assemblies using mechanical manufacturing techniques
- Carryout quality checks during and after mechanical manufacturing operations
- Wire and terminate different types of cabling e.g. single core, multi core, screened, fire resistant, armoured, etc.
- Assemble and test a range of electrical components e.g. component panels, isolator switches, fuses, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, rail mounted terminal blocks, etc.
- Assemble and test a range of electronic components e.g. resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc.
- Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment/system to service after the assembly and testing has been completed
- Shape the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
- Join the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
- Produce components which meet the specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the fabrication activities
- Plan the materials, processing or finishing operation before they start
- Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the materials, processing or finishing operation
- Carry out the material, processing or finishing operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the materials, processing or finishing operation
- Plan the technical support operation before they start
- Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the technical support
- Carry out the technical support operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
- Carryout quality checks during and after the technical support operation
Training schedule
- The learner will be studying the Engineering Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard qualification
- Day release to North Cambridgeshire Training Centre (NCTC)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
The role is an indoor one.
There will be certain tests to be carried out for wellbeing and health and safety. All appropriate PPE is supplied.
About this employer
Dataracks is a data centre manufacturer specializing in all forms of sheet metal work. The company designs and produces high-quality enclosures, server racks, and custom metal fabrications tailored to IT and infrastructure environments.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Up skilling is rewarded
- Good prospects
- The opportunity to learn skills such as project management
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
apprenticeships@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048633.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Friday 11 September 2026 at 11:59pm)