CRE - Level 3 - Quality & Design Engineering Apprentice (technical support) – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Technical support technician role working within an operational design, development and quality department in the refrigeration industry at the Birmingham warehouse. This is a varied role with training across multiple teams and disciplines to give you all the knowledge and experience to becoming a well rounded Engineer.

Wage

£23,400 a year

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This generous salary, calculated based on age, will be between £18,200 and £23,400

Training course

Engineering technician (level 3)

Hours

When at Make UK: Mon - Thur 8am - 4.30pm and Fri 8am - 12.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Wednesday 17 September 2025

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

Once on site you will be assigned a buddy and a mentor who work with you to ensure you are deemed trained and competent for the following tasks:

Year 1

• Completion of audits and PDI inspection on overseas refrigeration cases (Pre Despatch Inspection)
• Ensure that purchased products meet specified standards before they progress to the next stage and/or are sent out to Customer
• Raise, review and facilitate the closure of Non conformance reports (NCR’s)
• Escalate issues, which cannot be resolved locally, to next in line
• Liaise with departments on suspected quality-related issues and facilitate their closure.
• Participate in the internal audit schedule
• Assist with DDQ (Design, development and Quality) related Projects

Year 2

• Maintain a consistent pre-dispatch inspection (PDI) process to ensure product quality before shipment.
• Carry out electrical safety testing on cases defined a full audit
• Participate in containment, root cause and corrective action investigations on customer internal and supplier non-conformance, compile trend assessment and risk identification and take appropriate remedial action.
• Work with the relevant process owners to ensure all systems and procedures are fully aligned to the IMS (Integrated Management System).
• Ensure duties are carried out in accordance with defined Company and regulatory quality standards.
• Conduct regular audits of processes and standards at the Birmingham warehouse, and various assembly locations to ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

Year 3 & 4

• To undertake planned audits of customer sites for warranty claims
• Carry out site audits of new installations
• Troubleshoot & carry out fault finding (including electrical) as required and report outcomes to relevant parties
• Complete all necessary paperwork, customer in store & administration and return to relevant parties as required, in real time (same day if required).
• Handle warranty issues efficiently and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Administer remedial jobs on the internal Saqe system and manage non-conformance processes effectively.
• Provide clear instruction to the remedial team in corrective work requirements and associated timeframes.
• Work closely with the design team to future-proof designs and ensure learnings are applied across the product range including engineering drawing amendments.
• Ability to challenge individuals at all levels to ensure compliance to business processes and standard.
• Carrying out dynamic risk assessments
• Audit the quality of installations, whether performed in-house or by subcontractors, to ensure adherence to standards.
• Take a proactive approach to customer liaison and ensure that concerns are dealt with or relayed to management as appropriate.
• Ensure the Company is promoted in a professional manner at all times, maintaining an appropriate attitude and appearance in front of the Customer.

Where you’ll work

90 Leaford Road
Kitts Green
B33 9TX

Training

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

College or training organisation

EEF LIMITED

Your training course

Engineering technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Your training plan

Together with invaluable commercial and practical experience, you’ll work towards several academic and vocational qualification levels throughout your time with us, which are fully paid for, including: 
● Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Foundation Competence – in year 1, in 6 week blocks to include 4 weeks at Make UK and 2 weeks in company
● Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Development Competence  - in years 2 to 4 in company
● Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Development Knowledge - in Years 2 & 3 on block release to Make UK
● In house training in line with your requirements.
● Further qualifications deemed necessary by your employer

On completion of your studies, you will achieve your full apprenticeship certification that will prove competence as a Level 3 Engineering Technician.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Please bear in mind that this is a factory / warehouse environment. The recruitment stages are as follows: 1) Application form through Make UK's recruitment portal 2) Brief Video Interview 3) Company Assessment/ Interview 4) Offer _____Please note that Make UK and CRE Ltd reserve the right to close this advert with no notice, so apply now to avoid disappointment_____

About this company

Founded in 1945, Carter Thermal Industries has grown to become one of the most substantial and respected privately owned engineering groups within the UK. The group’s manufacturing operations combine engineering expertise with innovation to remain at the leading edge of technology. Carter Retail Equipment are part of the wider group (Carter Thermal Industries) and specialise in refrigerated display cabinets. We work internationally across the world selling our refrigeration display cases, with customers including but not exclusive to Tesco, M&S, CO-OP, Sainsbury’s, Target, HEB. Carter Retail Equipment are committed to employing local people.

https://www.cre-ltd.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Health shield scheme • 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays • Company sick pay scheme after 12 months employment • Shop and retail discounts • Workwear and full PPE provided

After this apprenticeship

Develop within the sales / purchasing department and future opportunities within Carter Retail Equipment and/or Carter Thermal Industries.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EEF LIMITED

Make UK Recruitment Team

asrecruitment@makeuk.org

01213447900

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000315655.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Monday 5 May 2025)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

To apply, follow the link to Make UK's recruitment portal and complete an application form. Please remember that this application form is your introduction to the company, so use it to make a positive first impression by spending the time to provide all information required. We do not use CVs as way of application. Good luck!

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CRE - Level 3 - Quality & Design Engineering Apprentice (technical support)

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