Apprentice Manufacturing Technician in Dronfield

Role & responsibilities:

• Follow all health and safety procedures, including PPE use, risk assessments, and safe working practices.
• Support the preparation of moulds, cores, patterns, and tooling used in casting.
• Learn the principles of furnace operation, melting, and metal pouring.
• Learn to operate tools and machinery safely under supervision.
• Help carry out routine inspections, basic maintenance tasks, and equipment checks.
• Support quality control activities, including dimensional checks, defect identification, and documentation.
• Learn how to inspect castings for defects and support quality checks.
• Record basic production and quality data accurately.
• Learn how to use CAD software to read, interpret, and make simple edits to engineering drawings (with training).
• Assist with continuous improvement projects aimed at efficiency, safety, or quality enhancements.
• Maintain accurate records of work completed, materials used, and issues identified.
• Keep work areas clean, organised, and compliant with safety and quality standards.

Skills required:

• Interest in engineering, manufacturing, or metalworking.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with tools or machinery.
• Willingness to learn engineering principles, foundry processes, and CAD software.
• Strong commitment to health and safety.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in hot & noisy industrial environments.

Personal qualities the candidate must have:

• Reliable, punctual, and eager to develop new skills.
• Practical mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Positive attitude and willingness to take on challenges.
• Physically capable of manual tasks and standing for extended periods.
• Curious, proactive, and keen to understand how engineering supports production.

William Lee Limited are looking for an Apprentice Manufacturing Technician to complete a Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing Support Technician apprenticeship. Our foundry apprentices start their career at the core of metal manufacturing, learning how molten metal becomes precision-engineered components. The role blends hands-on training with technical development, including safety practices, quality standards, and an introduction to CAD skills that support modern foundry operations. This course spans 42 months, studying towards a level 3 apprenticeship as an Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician. The course is delivered in partnership with our training provider, The AMRC Training Centre. As an apprentice you will spend time in different departments, to gain a good understanding of the casting process, including mould preparation, furnace operation, metal handling, inspection and basic digital design. The role includes structured training in health and safety, quality control and the use of CAD tools to interpret technical drawings. This apprenticeship offers clear long-term career potential, with successful apprentices often progressing into senior technician, supervisory, or even managerial roles within the company.

Things to consider: During the first year you will be required to attend the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre in Sheffield, full time for an initial block of study. You will return to your workplace one Friday per month. After the initial block training you will attend the AMRC Training Centre for one day a week to undertake the knowledge study. The remaining four days will be spent in company learning on the job.

Qualification Requirements: Advanced apprenticeships entry requirements You will need both of the following: GCSE English language C or 4 or above, GCSE Maths C or 4 or above. Applicants are also required to successfully complete a series of assessments at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre, as well as an employer recruitment and selection process to secure a place on an apprenticeship programme.