Craft Welder Apprenticeship 2025

Summary

A Welder 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 Welders.

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 & £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

Plate welder (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:

Produce production welds using different welding methods such as MIG, TIG and MMA
Working in a challenging and rewarding industry in support of construction within the workshop / construction site
Supporting fabricators in the production of platforms, stairways and supporting structures as well as pipe fitters, producing pipework for the transfer of fluids

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 Welder 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

Plate welder (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
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.
Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)
Work safely at all times, comply with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
Can obtain, check and use appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
Plan and prepare welding activities before commencing the work.
Obtain, position and assemble welding equipment and associated safety protection needed for activity.
Prepare, check and protect materials and work areas ready for welding.
Inspect assembly to be welded and undertake remedial work to comply with specification, or implement quality steps if rejected.
Receive, inspect, condition and maintain consumables.
Set, test and monitor key welding parameters as detailed within the Welding Procedure Specification.
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.
Use manual processes and equipment to remove material (powered and non‐powered).
Achieves a quality of work to meet international standards e.g. ISO5817, ISO9606, ASME IX, AWS D1.1 for dimensional, surface inspection (e.g. Visual, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant) and volumetric inspection (e.g. Radiography, Ultrasonic inspection).
Complete progressive and final checks on the weld prior to release for formal inspection and report into the production control system 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.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two welding processes from TIG, PAW, MMA, MIG/MAG, FCAW.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components using two materials from Carbon Steel, Low Alloy Steel, High Alloy Ferritic/Martensitic Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, Nickel & Nickel Alloys, Aluminium & Aluminium alloys, Titanium & Titanium Alloys, Copper & Copper Alloys.
Produce welds in plate and/or structural components covering three plate welding positions which must include Vertical (either upward or downward progression) and overhead.
Produce plate welds in 3 main joint configurations (Single or Double Sided Butt, Single or Double Sided T‐Butt & Fillet)

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 ST0852 Plate Welder
Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations EAL
Award for Nuclear Industry Awareness (ANIA) Level 2 Qualification

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 VAC1000290920.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 16 February

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.

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents