Engineering Operative Apprentice
LEE SPRING LTD
Rochdale (OL16 2SH)
Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 22 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Join Lee Spring as an Apprentice Engineering Spring Maker and learn how precision springs are manufactured. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you will develop practical engineering skills, operate production equipment under supervision and help produce springs to customer specifications.
- Wage
-
£15,392 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 - Thursday, 8.00am - 5.00pm (Half hour unpaid lunch break).
Friday, 7.00am - 12.00pm.
Overtime as needed.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 30 November 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 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
Main Duties;
- Assist with setting up and operating spring-making machinery under supervision.
- Learn to manufacture springs to drawings, job instructions and customer specifications.
- Prepare and handle wire, materials, tools and components safely.
- Carry out basic dimensional and visual checks using appropriate measuring equipment.
- Identify defects, report problems and help maintain consistent product quality.
- Support machine changeovers, routine checks and basic maintenance as authorised.
- Record production information accurately and follow established procedures.
- Work with colleagues to meet production schedules and improve efficiency.
General responsibilities:
- Follow safe working practices, PPE requirements and company health and safety procedures.
- Maintain a clean, organised work area and follow housekeeping standards.
- Follow instructions, ask questions and take an active part in training and development.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
Where you'll work
Unit 2
Smallbridge Industrial Park, Riverside Drive
Rochdale
OL16 2SH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION 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
Engineering Operative Level 2 apprenticeship, delivered by Rochdale Training. Practical workplace training in engineering production, safe working, quality checks, engineering documentation and relevant tools and equipment.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 5)
- Maths (grade 5)
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
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
- Interest in engineering and manufacturing
- Basic numeracy and measurement skills
- Ability to follow instructions and work safely
- Attention to detail and willingness to learn
- Reliable and punctual
- Practical, hands-on approach
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Team player
- Quality-conscious and methodical
About this employer
Lee Spring is a busy spring manufacturer and distributor, based in Rochdale. Established as a manufacturer for over 20 years, it is part of a global spring making company based in New York. There are two branches of the company: one is a catalogue-based spring manufacturer and the second is a bespoke spring solution service, working exclusively to customer specifications and offering a design service to solve engineering problems.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Potential progression into a skilled spring-making or wider engineering manufacturing role, subject to performance and business needs.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Adam Bhatti
abhatti@rochdaletraining.co.uk
01706 631 417
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060648.
Apply now
Closes in 31 days (Monday 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm)