Apprentice Fabricator Welder

Leighcollege; Horwich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education institution in the UK offers a comprehensive Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship. This opportunity allows candidates to gain hands-on experience while working on large-scale structures, with a focus on interpreting technical drawings and fabricating metal products. Successful candidates will work closely with industry professionals and attend training at Wigan & Leigh College. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and the development of essential skills required in the fabrication industry. Closing date for applications is Saturday 28 February 2026.

Qualifications

• GCSE qualifications in English, Maths, and Science.
• Relevant qualifications or industry experience are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Interpret technical drawings accurately.
• Assemble and fabricate metal products.
• Adhere to health and safety regulations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Logical

Creative

Initiative

Non‑judgemental

Physical fitness

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4 or higher)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4 or higher)

GCSE in Science (grade 4 or higher)

Job description

Overview

Our apprenticeship scheme offers you the opportunity to develop the skills required to start your career, whilst working on large-scale, iconic structures.

The successful candidates will gain hands‑on experience in interpreting technical drawings, marking out, producing, and assembling fabricated products.

Working Hours

Monday to Wednesday 7am‑4pm (30‑minute unpaid lunch break 12:30‑1pm), Thursday – Wigan & Leigh College hours, Friday 7am‑12noon.

39 hours per week.

Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Duration: 3 years 6 months.

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

• Accurately interpret technical drawings
• Mark out, produce and assemble fabricated products
• Use appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to shape metal materials
• Cutting, drilling, shaping and preparing metal materials during fabrication activities using manual and power tools and thermal and laser cutting techniques
• Maintaining a clean and tidy workspace

In addition, you will:

• Be responsible for own time management.
• Ensure college days are attended.
• Be responsible for undertaking instructions from qualified fabricators.
• Be responsible for own learning.
• Be responsible for asking questions so you better understand the role and industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Check materials conform to the specified grades, dimensions and thicknesses identified on detailed engineering drawings.
• Use the correct methods for the moving and handling of resources and materials.
• Set up, check and adjust equipment for use in the safe and reliable fabrication of metal products or components and maintain equipment in a safe condition throughout.
• Interpret technical drawings, patterns, templates and specifications to mark out, produce and assemble complex fabricated products to meet required specification and quality requirements.
• Use appropriate tools, equipment and techniques to shape and form (hot or cold) metal materials, demonstrating and applying knowledge of material properties and characteristics throughout.
• Operate appropriate tools and equipment to join metal parts using a range of mechanical fasteners and fixing techniques.
• Operate thermal joining equipment to join metal parts using a range of appropriate techniques to the standards required by the specifications for the fabrication activity being carried out.

Where you'll work

Apprentice training will take place across Severfield sites and at Wigan & Leigh College.

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• 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 work activity using correct processes, procedures and equipment.
• Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using 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, drawings, 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, drawings, 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.

You will study 1 day a week at Wigan & Leigh College to gain the theoretical knowledge alongside your practical skills.

This will allow you to work towards the industry recognised Level 3 Metal Fabrication Apprentice Standard.

Requirements

• GCSE in English (grade 4 or higher)
• GCSE in Maths (grade 4 or higher)
• GCSE in Science (grade 4 or higher)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non‑judgemental
• Physical fitness

About this employer

Severfield is the largest structural steelwork Group in the UK and among the biggest in Europe. We have been involved in the UK’s highest profile structural steel projects, and we have the design and engineering capabilities to deliver the UK’s largest, most complex projects.

Today, with multiple sites in the UK, Europe, and our joint venture in India, we have an annual capacity to produce around 300,000 tons of fabricated steelwork.

On successful completion of the Level 3 Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship, you will be a fully qualified Metal Fabricator with the skills and knowledge to build a rewarding career at Severfield. Many of our apprentices continue to develop their expertise on the shop floor, progressing into more senior production roles such as Team Leader or Chargehand.

In addition to production, Severfield offers a wide range of career pathways depending on your interests and ambitions. Opportunities can exist across the business in various areas, for example the Drawing Office, Project Management, Pre‑Construction, Commercial, Health & Safety, and Quality. With dedication and motivation, you can shape your career in structural steel solutions and grow with us as we deliver landmark projects across the UK and beyond.

Contact

The contact for this apprenticeship is: WIGAN AND LEIGH COLLEGE.

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005064.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 28 February 2026.

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