Engineer Apprentice

Location: Northampton, NN1 1PZ OR Rugby, CV21 1HA. Travel to MGTS, Coventry (CV1 2JG) is required.

Salary per annum: £24,700 with annual salary review.

Working Hours: Monday–Friday.

Year 1: full-time college study. Years 2–4: site-based practical training with college day release. Year 4: Potential introduction of shift patterns, including night shifts.

Extensive Benefits, including but not limited to:

• Private Medical options
• Life Assurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Access to 24/7 GP services
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Generous holiday
• Access to a range of high street discounts

About the role:

Our 4-year Engineering Apprenticeship program will give you the technical knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience needed to build a career as a multi-skilled engineer in a busy manufacturing environment. You will work towards a Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician apprenticeship, followed by a Level 4 HNC top-up during Years 3 and 4.

Your first year will be spent studying with MGTS (Midland Group Training Services Limited), based in Coventry (CV1 2JG), building solid mechanical, electrical and engineering foundations before moving into site-based learning. From Year 2 onwards, you will combine practical experience within our Engineering team with day-release study.

Depending on your location to the college, you may be expected to live away from home during your first year in accommodation close to the college. This will be arranged and funded by the business. During college holidays, practical training will continue at the employing site, providing further opportunities to gain hands-on engineering experience and develop technical skills. The role will initially operate on day shifts Monday to Friday. In Year 4, as you prepare to transition into a permanent engineering role, you are likely to move onto a site shift pattern, which may include night shifts.

Role Responsibilities:

• Complete all college, apprenticeship and HNC learning requirements, keeping your portfolio and development records up to date.
• Work safely at all times and follow site requirements for health, safety, food safety, quality, hygiene and the environment.
• Build practical mechanical, electrical, controls and automation skills through supervised tasks and structured training.
• Support Engineering Technicians with planned and preventative maintenance, fault-finding, repairs and production-line breakdowns.
• Learn to use maintenance systems accurately, including recording work completed and parts used.
• Take part in structured problem-solving, root cause analysis and continuous improvement activity to improve equipment reliability, efficiency and performance.
• Support shutdown activity, equipment inspections and the upkeep of engineering standards, procedures and work areas.
• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Operations and other site teams, asking questions and learning from experienced colleagues.
• Be responsible for your development, respond positively to feedback and demonstrate increasing self-sufficiency throughout the programme.

Experience and Key Attributes:

• A genuine interest in engineering, manufacturing and understanding how things work.
• A practical mindset and a readiness to build practical skills.
• Curiosity and a logical approach to solving problems.
• Clear communication and the ability to work well with others.
• An openness to learning, feedback, and ongoing personal growth.
• Consistency, self-motivation and the ability to meet deadlines while following instructions and safe working practices.
• Willingness and ability to attend college full time in Year 1, including living away from home where required.
• Willingness to work a shift pattern, potentially including nights, during Year 4 and in a future permanent engineering role.

Qualifications required:

• Five GCSEs at grades 4–9 (A*–C), or equivalent, including Maths, English and a science subject.
• Applicants must be aged 18 or over by the start of the second year of the apprenticeship in August 2028 to meet on-site health and safety requirements.
• Must have been a UK resident for at least 3 years by the start of the apprenticeship.

Next steps & Recruitment process:

• Application Deadline: Please apply no later than 31st of December 2026.
• Telephone Interviews: Will be conducted between 1st of November 2026 till 29th of January 2027.
• Assessment Centres & Interviews: will be held in person on either Wednesday 17th February 2027 or Tuesday 2nd March 2027 at Aventine Way, Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, Rugby, CV21 1HA, United Kingdom.
• Start Date: August 2027.
• College Enrolment date: Early September 2027.

Our commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion:

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences - including those of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. We actively seek to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues, where diverse perspectives are welcomed, and inclusive practices are embedded in everything we do.

We are ready to support accessibility needs, to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates, so please do let us know if you require any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Application Process:

We read applications continuously, and vacancies may be filled anytime, so please apply as early as possible. We look forward to receiving your application.