Metrology Engineer Apprentice

Labone Castleside Limited

Consett (DH8 8HF)

Closes in 16 days (Thursday 26 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 November 2026

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Contents

Summary

Injection moulding metrology engineer is a specialized quality assurance professional who measures, analyses, and verifies the physical dimensions of plastic parts produced through injection moulding. They ensure that manufactured components match their exact engineering blueprints and meet strict industry tolerances.

Wage

£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 8.00am - 4.30pm (30 minute un-paid lunch break + 2 x 10 minute paid breaks). Friday 7.00am - 1.00pm (20 minute paid break) = 38 hours per week.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 30 November 2026

Duration

1 year 2 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

Core Responsibilities Dimensional Inspection:

  • Using advanced measurement equipment to check part thickness, warp, angles, and overall geometry
  • First Article Inspection (FAI): Verifying the very first parts Off a new mould to approve the tool for mass production
  • Mould Cavity Tuning: Identifying precisely where a mould tool needs to be modified or shaved down if the plastic parts are coming out out-of-spec
  • Gauge R&R Studies: Testing and validating the measurement tools themselves to ensure consistency and repeatability across different operators
  • Common Tools of the Trade CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machines): Tactile probes that touch specific points on a part to map its dimensions in 3D space
  • 3D Scanners: High-tech blue light or laser scanners that create a full digital "point cloud" of a physical part to compare it directly against the original CAD model. Manual Tools - Caliper, Pin Gauges, Micrometer, Feeler gauges, pin gauges etc.
  • Material and Quality Testing Devices: Include moisture balances, hardness testers (Shore / Rockwell), and melt flow indexers to inspect incoming polymer resins
  • The Quality Core Tools PFMEA (Process FMEA): Focuses on manufacturing and assembly process risks caused by human error or machine failure Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) A structured framework used to design and develop products that meet customer requirements before production starts
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC) A method that uses statistics and control charts to monitor and manage manufacturing stability over time. Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) A testing process that ensures gauges and tools measure accurately and reliably. Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) A qualification process that confirms production parts meet exact customer specifications. Control Plan - A living document that outlines the specific manufacturing steps and real-time controls needed to execute risk strategies identified in an FMEA
  • Risk and Root-Cause Analysis Tools If you want alternatives focused on problem-solving, risk evaluation, and finding the origin Of defects: Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa / Cause-and-Effect) A visual chart shaped like a fish skeleton that categorizes potential causes of a problem under headings like Manpower, Machine, Material, and Method. 5 Whys A simple questioning technique where you ask "Why?" five successive times to drill down from a surface symptom to a deep root cause
  • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) A top-down, deductive logic diagram that traces backward from an undesired system failure to find all possible root causes
  • Pareto Chart A combined bar and line graph that highlights the vital few defects or issues causing the majority of overall quality failures

Where you'll work

Labone Castleside Ltd
Castleside Industrial Estate
Consett
DH8 8HF

Training

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

Training provider

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

Training course

Lean manufacturing 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, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
  • Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
  • Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
  • Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
  • Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
  • Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
  • Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
  • Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
  • Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
  • Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
  • Correctly position, align and secure the components
  • Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
  • Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
  • Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
  • Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
  • Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
  • Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
  • Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
  • Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
  • Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
  • Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
  • Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
  • Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
  • Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
  • Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
  • Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification

Training schedule

The apprenticeship is delivered fully within the workplace, with no college release days.

Requirements

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

About this employer

Plastic injection mouldings and assembly, supported by a full project engineering function. We take programs from CAD models to mass production, supporting the customer throughout. The plant list covers 33 machines spanning a tonnage range from 50T to 1080T. In addition, a wide range of assembly stations unique to customer requirements are established with full fault prevention auto checking. See website for more details.

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 we would assess if there is an opportunity for a full time position within the company. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000063687.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Thursday 26 November 2026 at 11:59pm)