Craft Fabricator Apprenticeship 2025

Summary

A Fabricator Apprentice trains to become a highly skilled craftsperson in the nuclear industry. This is a four-year scheme where the first year will be spent learning a range of hands-on engineering skills. Years 2 to 4 of your training will be spent at in the central workshops at Sellafield where you will work with skilled Fabricators.

Annual wage

£19,207 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Increasing to £21,162 in year 2. £25,472 in year 3 and £26,326 in year 4. Higher rates are applied to those aged 21 and over. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from an annual bonus, linked to company performance, of up to £4000*

Training course

Metal fabricator (level 3)

Hours

You will be required to work typical site-based hours at Sellafield Ltd, which is 07:30 - 15:40, Monday - Friday. However you may be requested to start earlier and work hours.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 8 September

Duration

4 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

You will be trained to:

Fabricate items to specification from stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminium.
Cut metals using oxy-propane and plasma.
Form metals using machines.
Develop and manufacture pattern
As part of the role you will need to wear personal protective equipment, necessary for work in active areas (such as full PVC suiting, gloves and respirators) and work in confined spaces or at heights.

As an integral part of your apprenticeship your progress will be monitored and assessed against the Apprenticeship requirements. You will compile an evidence folder, demonstrating your areas of learning with accredited certificates of completion for elements of your training. You will undertake knowledge, skills and behaviour assessments where you will be expected to clearly demonstrate your capability to perform as a Fabricator Apprentice.

Where you’ll work

Sellafield Site / Surrounding offices in West Cumbria

CA20 1PG

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

GENII ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Metal fabricator (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.

Your training plan

This is a four-year scheme where the first year will be spent learning a range of hands-on engineering skills.

1st Year – training is delivered at our of-site training facility.

2nd, 3rd & 4th Years – Site placements in central workshops at Sellafield.

You will obtain the following qualifications:

Level 3 Apprenticeship ST0607- Metal Fabricator
Level 3 Diploma in Installing Engineering Construction Plant and Systems (RQF)
Level 2 Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness (ANIA)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English Language (grade 4)
Mathematics (grade 4)
Science or Engineering (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

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

You may at times need to wear personal protective equipment, necessary for work in active areas (such as full PVC suiting, gloves and respirators) Work in confined spaces or at heights. Candidates will be required to achieve appropriate security and medical clearances; these will be instigated on receiving a conditional offer of employment.

About this company

Sellafield Ltd is a global centre for nuclear engineering management. We pioneered the harnessing of nuclear power to generate electricity for the country. Now the world is watching as we set international standards in high-hazard reduction. In short, we’re at the forefront of the industry.

https://careers.sellafieldsite.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

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

Following successful completion of your apprenticeship, we will look to retain you in a professional full time position at Sellafield Ltd.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SELLAFIELD LIMITED

GBS Recruitment

recruitment@sellafieldcloud.co.uk

019467 81000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290912.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 16 February

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

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