Spring Fabrication Engineering Apprentice

Summary

An exciting opportunity to join NEMA Ltd as a Spring Fabrication Engineering Apprentice. You will manufacture precision sheet metal and wire-formed components for aerospace applications while completing your Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship.

Annual wage

Competitive apprenticeship wage (to be confirmed).

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The pay may be negotiated and may rise after a probation period has been successfully completed.

Training course

Engineering Technician – Level 3

Hours

4 day working week

Monday – Thursday

Flexible hours between 6:00am – 5:30pm
9.5 hours per day

Duration

36 Months

Positions available

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

The role will involve the production of small precision-manufactured components from sheet metal and formed wire.

You will work with both manual and semi-automatic machinery to produce high-quality aerospace components.

You will develop skills in:

Sheet metal fabrication
Wire forming and spring production (compression and tension springs)
Operating fly presses
Operating power presses
Using auto-coiling machinery
Working with aerospace grade materials
Inspecting components to strict quality standards
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings

Examples of products you will manufacture include:

Brackets for aircraft landing gear systems
Shims and washers for locking rivets on Airbus A320/A319 wings and fuselage
Compression and tension springs for precision assemblies and actuators
Wire forms for aircraft seating systems
Electrical steel laminations used in stators and electrical assemblies
Sheet metal fabrications for onboard aircraft filtration systems

All components are produced to exacting aerospace tolerances where precision, consistency and attention to detail are critical.

Where you’ll work

NEMA Ltd
16 Chichester Business Centre
Chichester Street
Rochdale
OL16 2AU

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

ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Your training course

Engineering Technician – Level 3

Your training plan

Training will be delivered in partnership with Rochdale Training Association (RTA).

Year 1:
You will complete your NVQ Level 2 through a structured block-release engineering programme, spending most of your time at RTA developing core engineering skills.

Years 2–3:
You will progress onto NVQ Level 3, primarily based at NEMA with one day per week at college. During this stage, you will rotate across workshop departments to develop a broad understanding of machining, winding, assembly, testing and fabrication processes.

A key milestone will include producing a complete electric motor assembly and its constituent components from scratch, giving you a holistic understanding of the entire manufacturing process.

After completing your rotations, you will be placed within the spring and fabrication department where your specialist training will continue.

Subject to performance and attainment, progression to Level 4 and beyond may be fully funded and supported by NEMA.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Maths (essential)
GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English (essential)
Science or Engineering subject (desirable)

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

Strong interest in fabrication and manufacturing
Good practical and manual skills
Good mathematical ability
Ability to follow technical drawings and instructions
Strong attention to detail
Ability to work methodically and safely

Other requirements

Motivated to develop specialist engineering skills
Reliable and punctual
Committed to producing high-quality work
Safety-conscious
Eager to learn and develop within aerospace engineering

About this company

Established in 1954, NEMA Ltd is a Tier 2 aerospace engineering manufacturer supplying precision electro-mechanical and mechanical components to leading global aerospace organisations. Operating to AS9100 Rev D standards, NEMA holds quality approvals with BAE Systems, Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, Triumph and other major aerospace manufacturers.

With over 95% of manufacturing completed in-house, including precision machining, winding, assembly, testing and spring/metal pressings, NEMA offers apprentices the opportunity to develop specialist skills within a highly controlled aerospace environment.

This is an opportunity to build a long-term engineering career manufacturing safety-critical components used on major commercial and defence aircraft platforms.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion, apprentices may: