Summary
As an apprentice, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of our continuous manufacturing process. You will develop skills and knowledge to manufacture fibre optic cables and micro ducts utilising polymer extrusion technology. By joining our business as an apprentice, you will gain an apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering.
Wage
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday with 2 shift patterns: 6:00am - 2:30pm & 2:00pm - 10:30pm. 1 hour break each day - half hour paid / half hour unpaid.
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 8 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
Be part of a team who will undertake a range of supporting tasks including:
* Using your mechanical skills to undertake production engineering set-up activities.
* Operation of cable extrusion lines.
* Utilising industry leading equipment and technologies to acquire production data.
* Maintenance and cleaning of tooling and equipment.
* Ensure excellent quality by carrying out inspection of the finished products.
We train our employees on-the-job to learn the continuous process of cable extrusion. Once trained, you will become a valuable process technician capable of running cable extrusion lines from start to finish.
The role will report to the Operations Manager via a Shift Team Leader.
Where you’ll work
Unit 1
Parham Airfield
Marlesford
Woodbridge
IP13 9AF
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Your training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
* Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
* Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
* Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
* Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
* Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
* Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
* Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
* Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
* Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
* Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
* Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
* Follow standard operating procedures.
* Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
* Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
* Apply continuous improvement techniques.
* Apply team working principles.
* Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
* Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
* Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
* Carry out and record learning and development activities.
* Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
* Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
* Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
* Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
* Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
* Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
* Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
* Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
* Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
* Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
* Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
* Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
* Follow standard operating procedures.
* Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
* Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
* Apply continuous improvement techniques.
* Apply team working principles.
* Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
* Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
* Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
* Carry out and record learning and development activities.
* Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Your training plan
* The Apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard.
* Qualifications include the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering and manufacturing support technologies.
* All college attendance will be at Colchester Institute at our Colchester Campus one day per week.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English and science (grade A*-C/9-4)
* maths (grade A*-B/9-5)
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
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Physical fitness
* Enthusiasm
* Desire to learn
Other requirements
Location is remote so applicants will need to have their own transport.