At a Glance
- Tasks: Kickstart your engineering career with hands-on experience and college studies.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, a leader in innovation and engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel costs covered, and a supportive learning environment.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking projects that shape the future of engineering.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English, and Science.
- Other info: Exciting career progression opportunities after your apprenticeship.
The predicted salary is between 13800 - 19700 £ per year.
Overview
Kickstart Your Engineering Career – Apprenticeship Opportunity
Location: Manchester Mail Centre, M4 6BQ
Salary: £16,420 - £23,820 (dependent upon age)
Hours/Shifts: 40 hours per week
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Qualification: Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
What’s the job like?
- You will work on-site and study at college:
- On-site – toolbox talks and safety briefings
- Work on mail sorting machines, conveyor systems, and robotics
- Learn how to maintain, diagnose and fix automated systems
- Take part in projects – from design to digital design and 3D modelling
- Team up with experienced engineers and share ideas
- End the day with a quick review to plan for tomorrow
At college, you will learn:
- Electrical and mechanical engineering basics
- Health and safety statutory regulations and rules
- How to use PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)
- How to locate and resolve complex mechanical / electrical faults
Your Studies
As part of your apprenticeship, you will attend Training 2000, Furthergate Business Park, Harwood St, Blackburn BB1 3BD for the academic elements of your programme. You will be expected to travel to college when required, and all travel costs from your work location to the college will be fully covered. During your first year, you will be based full-time at college, learning the core knowledge and skills alongside your fellow apprentices and building a strong foundation for your role. In years 2 and 3, your time will be split between college study and hands-on experience in the workplace. The exact balance between college and work days will be confirmed towards the end of your first year, ensuring the structure supports your learning and development.
Be part of something big
One of our apprentices helped deliver the biggest change to post boxes in over 170 years – adding automation so people can drop off small parcels directly into post boxes. That’s the kind of innovation you could be part of.
Who can apply?
You need 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (including Maths, English, and Science). Open to School leavers (16+), college grads, or career changers. Be curious, hands-on, and ready to learn.
Where could your career go next?
After your apprenticeship, you could progress into roles like:
- Maintenance Technician
- Engineering Team Leader
- Specialist Engineer
There may be further opportunities to enhance your academic studies by undertaking HNC/HND or degree-level study.
Join us and be part of a team that’s shaping the future of engineering at Royal Mail. Apply now to start your journey.
What Happens Next
After you apply, we’ll invite you to take a numerical and verbal reasoning test to see how you work with words and numbers. If you move forward, you’ll be invited to complete a screening (this may be a chat or an online screening form) to learn more about you and answer any questions you have. If selected at screening, you may join a group assessment where you’ll work with others on simple tasks. If successful, this will be followed by a competency-based interview to talk about your skills and experiences. We’ll guide you at every step, so you feel ready and confident. We’re excited to get to know you!
We’re Here to Support You
We know a recruitment process can feel like a big commitment, so we’ll keep you updated at every stage and make sure you have everything you need to succeed. Most importantly, we want you to enjoy the journey and get a real sense of what it’s like to be part of our team.
Closing Date: Monday 2nd March 2026. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Trust is the foundation of Royal Mail. We aim to be transparent about the qualities we seek and what a career with us entails, building trust from the start of your journey with us. Your interview is the first step, and we want you to shine. To help you prepare, we’ll provide your interview questions in advance, so you can have your best examples ready.
At Royal Mail Group, we value trust and our people. Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and representing the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals. As a proud Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we especially encourage applications from the Armed Forces community, including cadet instructors and spouses/partners. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted.
Engineering Apprentice in Manchester employer: Royal Mail
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Apprentice in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Royal Mail and their engineering projects. This will help you stand out in interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your numerical and verbal reasoning skills. Since you'll be taking tests as part of the application process, brushing up on these areas can give you a solid advantage.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for group assessments by teaming up with friends or fellow applicants. Practising teamwork and communication will help you feel more comfortable when working with others during the assessment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to showcase your curiosity and hands-on attitude! During interviews, share examples of how you've tackled challenges or learned new skills, as this aligns perfectly with what they're looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Apprentice in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for engineering shine through! We want to see that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity and ready to dive into the world of automation and technology.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the apprenticeship. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences, even if they’re from school projects or hobbies. We love seeing how you’ve applied your knowledge in practical ways!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to understand why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the application process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail
✨Know Your Engineering Basics
Brush up on your electrical and mechanical engineering fundamentals. Since you'll be working with automated systems, understanding the basics will help you answer technical questions confidently.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow. Be ready to discuss why you're interested in engineering and how you plan to tackle challenges. Employers love candidates who are hands-on and curious!
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Think of specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills and teamwork. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready about the apprenticeship or the company culture. This shows your genuine interest and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.