Apprentice Welder NG Bailey in Leiston

As the UK’s largest independent engineering and services business, our innovative, responsible and forward‑thinking approach has enabled us to work on fantastic ground‑breaking projects, providing innovative solutions using the latest tools and technologies. Our values of Passion, Integrity, Responsibility and Excellence form the foundation of our company and guide the way we work and behave.

At NG, we recognise the importance of having apprentices in our workforce. Our industry‑leading approach develops the behaviours, skills, knowledge, and experience our apprentices need to build a successful career. We work in partnership with a national network of colleges to offer some of the best training in the industry. Apprenticeships are available for anyone over 16 years of age. They offer you the opportunity to earn a wage and work full time in your chosen trade area. This means you develop your skills in a real working environment from day one and are able to put the skills you learn at college directly into practice at work.

Do you want to kick start your career in welding and fabrication? Are you excited by the idea of building high‑quality metalwork that becomes part of major UK construction and infrastructure projects? Do you want hands‑on experience in a real manufacturing environment while earning at the same time? If so, this could be the opportunity for you.

Join NG Bailey’s Engineering Team at our Drighlington Weld Shop, where we fabricate steelwork and welded components for some of the UK’s biggest and most technically challenging projects – from hospitals and universities to industrial facilities, transport networks and even nuclear sites. During your apprenticeship, you may also spend time at our Oakenshaw offsite manufacturing facility, giving you broader exposure to different fabrication and modular manufacturing processes. Every day is practical, varied and rewarding. You’ll work alongside experienced welders and fabricators, learning how welded assemblies are produced safely, accurately and to the highest standards.

As an NG Bailey apprentice you will:

• Train with one of the UK’s top-performing colleges or training providers.
• Learn about our award‑winning approach to health, safety and quality.
• Develop strong technical and practical skills with support from highly skilled welders and mentors.
• Build confidence working within a friendly, supportive team.
• Experience a real manufacturing environment, including early starts and occasional travel when required.
• Gain exposure to different fabrication and modular processes across Drighlington and Oakenshaw.

You will learn to:

• Identify different materials, grades and their applications.
• Select and use the correct welding consumables for different welding processes.
• Safely operate hand and power tools relevant to welding and fabrication.
• Use machinery for cutting and preparing materials, including saws, grinders and edge preparation equipment.
• Operate Plasma and Oxy‑Acetylene cutting equipment safely.
• Read and interpret working drawings for a range of metal fabrications.
• Measure, calculate and prepare materials from engineering drawings.
• Assemble components into fabrications in line with specifications.
• Set up MIG/MAG, MMA (Arc) and TIG welding equipment.
• Carry out welds to a high standard across a range of welding processes.
• Understand common welding defects and how to prevent them.
• Work towards qualifying to a range of Welding Procedures relevant to the role.

We are looking for people who:

• Are curious, practical and keen to learn new skills.
• Share our values of Passion, Integrity, Responsibility and Excellence.
• Are organised with good timekeeping and reliability.
• Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Enjoy working as part of a team in a busy workshop environment.
• Can follow instructions and work safely under pressure.
• Can take initiative and work independently when needed.

You will attend Calderdale College to complete the Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship. In addition, you will regularly attend in-house training and development as part of the programme.

To apply you need: 3 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C/4 or above in English Language, Maths, and Science.

Please note, to be eligible for an apprenticeship you:

• Must be able to complete the apprenticeship within the required time, including the End‑Point Assessment.
• Must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England.
• Must be ordinarily resident in the UK or its territories for at least 3 years before starting the apprenticeship.

Further eligibility details can be found online. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory eligibility checks.

Ready to apply? If you are applying for this role, take a look at our application hints and tips for guidance on what good looks like. We receive a lot of applications, find out how you can make yours stand out.

What happens next? If we like what we see on your application, you will be invited to undertake a telephone interview. If we then wish to progress your application further, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre at which we will shortlist for final interviews.

PLEASE NOTE THIS VACANCY MAY CLOSE BEFORE THE ADVERTISED CLOSING DATE IF A LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED. EARLY APPLICATION IS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED.

NG Bailey is an Equal Opportunities employer. All applicants will receive equal treatment within their application and selection process.