Materials and Inspection Engineering Apprentice
EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LIM
LEATHERHEAD (KT22 7RD)
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 22 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Kick-start your engineering career with ETD Consulting! Gain hands-on experience in materials testing, specialist inspections and engineering equipment while working towards a recognised qualification, with opportunities for UK and overseas travel.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, full-time, based at the Leatherhead office and laboratory.
Occasional travel to client sites across the UK may be required, with potential international travel opportunities.
Exact working hours will be confirmed by the employer.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 16 November 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- 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
- Prepare metal samples for testing, including cutting, grinding, polishing and etching.
- Examine materials using microscopes and specialist laboratory equipment.
- Assist with non-destructive testing (NDT) to identify defects and weaknesses in materials.
- Support the setup, maintenance and improvement of testing equipment.
- Record test results accurately and assist with technical documentation.
- Work alongside experienced engineers to carry out materials testing and inspections.
- Maintain a clean, organised and safe laboratory environment.
- Follow health and safety procedures when using tools and specialist equipment.
- Assist with troubleshooting equipment and improving testing processes.
- Support engineering inspections at client sites across the UK, with potential overseas travel.
Where you'll work
UNIT 5
THE AXIS CENTRE
CLEEVE ROAD
LEATHERHEAD
KT22 7RD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRAIN'D UP RAILWAY RESOURCING LIMITED
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 apprentice will receive practical, hands-on training at ETD Consulting's Leatherhead office and laboratory, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists.
Training will combine workplace learning with structured off-the-job training delivered by Train'd Up. The apprentice will develop skills in materials testing, inspection techniques, equipment maintenance and safe working practices.
The frequency and delivery arrangements for formal training will be confirmed as part of the individual apprenticeship training plan.
More training information
Training will be delivered by Train'd Up, an experienced apprenticeship training provider. The programme will combine structured workplace learning with regular support and progress reviews from a dedicated trainer. The apprentice will work towards their qualification through ongoing assessment, workplace evidence and planned training activities.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 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
- IT 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
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Applicants must be able to travel reliably to the Leatherhead office and laboratory on a daily basis. Flexibility to travel to client sites across the UK and internationally is essential.
Due to potential overseas travel requirements, applicants must be aged 18 or over, hold a valid, in-date passport and be able to meet the relevant immigration and entry requirements for international travel.
Candidates must also be comfortable working at height and following strict health and safety procedures in laboratory and industrial environments. A driving licence is not required.
About this employer
European Technology Development Limited (ETD Consulting) is a specialist engineering consultancy based in Leatherhead, Surrey. The company provides technical expertise in materials engineering, testing and inspection, supporting industrial organisations to maintain the safety, reliability and performance of their equipment and assets.
Working with clients across a range of industrial sectors, ETD Consulting combines specialist engineering knowledge with practical testing and inspection techniques to identify potential issues and develop effective solutions.
The company offers a supportive, hands-on working environment, providing opportunities to learn from experienced engineering professionals and gain exposure to projects across the UK and internationally.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress into a permanent role within ETD Consulting, subject to business needs and performance. Potential career pathways include Materials Testing Technician, NDT Technician, Quality Inspector or Materials Engineer, with opportunities for further specialist training, professional development and involvement in engineering projects across the UK and internationally.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TRAIN'D UP RAILWAY RESOURCING LIMITED
Ruth Haworth
ruth.haworth@traindup.org
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060021.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm)