Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprentice (Fabrication & Welding)

NEEDHAM FABRICATIONS LTD

LION BARN IND EST (IP6 8NZ)

Closes on Thursday 1 October 2026

Posted on 7 August 2026

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Summary

We're looking for an enthusiastic Engineering Operative Apprentice to join our skilled fabrication and welding team. This is an exciting opportunity to earn a wage while gaining a nationally recognised Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship, developing practical skills that will set you up for a long-term career in engineering.

• Wage:

  £16,640 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: Engineering operative (level 2)
• Hours: Monday to Friday. Shifts TBC.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Friday 2 October 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• 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

• Read engineering drawings and understand how products are manufactured.
• Measure, mark out, cut and shape metal materials.
• Use a variety of engineering hand tools and power tools safely.
• Learn welding and fabrication techniques from experienced engineers.
• Assemble fabricated components to a high standard.
• Carry out quality checks to ensure products meet customer requirements.
• Work safely and follow engineering health and safety procedures.
• Keep your work area clean, organised and professional.
• Work as part of a friendly engineering team to complete customer projects.

Where you'll work

PLOT 10
UNIT 5
MAITLAND RD
LION BARN IND EST
IP6 8NZ

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

Traind Up is the training provider. 

1 day per week virtual classroom from October. 

Onsite assessor visits every 8 weeks. 

12-18 months duration.

More training information

Train'd Up is a UK recognised provider of remote workforce training, delivering online training courses and apprenticeships to upskill staff.

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
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Physical fitness

About this employer

Needham Fabrications is a specialist engineering and metal fabrication company with a reputation for producing high-quality fabricated products for customers across a range of industries.

Quality, teamwork and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in developing the next generation of engineers and giving apprentices the skills, knowledge and confidence to build successful careers.

http://www.needhamfabrications.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Company pension
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and development
• The opportunity to build a long-term career in engineering

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Many apprentices go on to become skilled Fabricators, Welders or continue onto higher-level engineering apprenticeships and specialist roles.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRAIN'D UP RAILWAY RESOURCING LIMITED

Jenny Stevenson

Jenny.Stevenson@traindup.org

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046978.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 1 October 2026