L3 Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship

If you’re good at problem solving and like to understand how items work, preferring to be hands-on, then a four-year Springfields Advanced Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering will give you all the skills you need for a rewarding career at our Springfields site. With exciting job prospects in a company providing nuclear fuels for a growing Electricity generation sector. What does an advanced mechanical engineering apprenticeship involve? Apprentices are trained to a level 3 standard to maintain and support mechanical systems within our sophisticated plant. All apprentices study for a BTEC technical certificate on day release at the local college, with practical training delivered on site at Springfields near Preston, initially in our purpose-built Training Centre, followed by site placements training alongside professionally qualified experienced mechanical craft personnel. During the first five months of your apprenticeship, you will learn basic hand skills utilizing tools such as files, hacksaws, precision measuring equipment as well as learning to operate workshop machinery such as lathes, milling machines, pedestal drills, and grinders. Within this time, you will also receive training on basic electrical circuits and receive numerous Engineering lectures, completing your initial training. Following this, there are several transitional courses to include pendant hoist, scaffolding, and ladder training to prepare you for a safe future on site. A further seven months in the training centre will see you learn your core skills to a MOET (Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician) standard. Working alongside other first-year mechanical apprentices, you will carry out multiple specialist courses including hydraulics, pneumatics, key fitting, pumps, drives, gearboxes, and pipework systems. Out on site for a further two and a half years, you will carry out six monthly placements in a working environment, honing your mechanical knowledge and practical skills until you reach the Gateway stage six months before the end of your apprenticeship. This ensures you are ready for the EPA assessment stage, where you will carry out a knowledge test (currently multiple choice), followed by an observed practical assessment on site, and finally a technical interview (one-on-one). Throughout your apprenticeship, the instructors will work with you to ensure you have the required development to support you fully to ensure you are ready for the EPA stage. What are the areas of development? This role will focus on the Mechanical maintenance route apprenticeship scheme at our Westinghouse – Springfields nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities. This includes working in a variety of placements including oxide fuels complex, recovery/residue areas, combined heat and power facility and services, and component manufacturing. Working in a team, you will learn fault finding, pressure testing systems including relief valves, servicing/overhauling equipment, and scheduled maintenance on plant items. What do I need to apply? Our four-year apprenticeships at level 3 are following the national apprenticeship standards and are aimed at students with qualifications at GCSE in maths, English, and a science A-C or 5-9 or predicted to be at this level or equivalent qualifications. Enthusiasm for problem solving and motivation for a role in Engineering are essential. What happens at the end of the apprenticeship? Towards the end of your apprenticeship, you will be given the opportunity to apply for a permanent role within Engineering here at Springfields. There is also an opportunity to study an HNC/HND in Engineering for individuals who have achieved the required level of competency and aptitude. This engineering role may include shift working once the individual meets the required competency as the business has a range of shift patterns. Apprenticeship start:

August 2025 Closing date:

11th February 2025

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