Engineering Apprentice in Ilminster

As an engineering apprentice at G&H you will have a unique opportunity to study and work in parallel in a dynamic and innovative environment. In partnership with South Devon College, you will spend four years working closely with our engineering team while complementing your workplace experience with a mixture of theoretical and practical lessons.

Training course: Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Hours: Mon – Thurs 8am – 4pm, Friday 8am – 3pm (39 hours a week)

Start date: Tuesday 22 September 2026

Duration: 4 years

Where you’ll work: Broomhill Way, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7QL

Responsibilities:

• Adherence to Company policies, management systems and SOPs, including legal responsibilities in relation to Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality.
• Develop and foster good working relationships with colleagues and contracted personnel to maintain a culture of mutual respect and dignity.
• Promote and display G&H values: Customer focus, Integrity, Action, Unity, Precision.
• Maintain good attendance at South Devon College.
• Assist in design and development of fibre optic components and systems.
• Participate in manufacturing process, fibre routing, splicing, assembly.
• Conduct quality control tests and inspections.
• Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot technical issues and implement solutions.
• Produce documentation: operating procedures and technical reports.
• Maintain and calibrate manufacturing equipment and tools.
• Track workplace accomplishments to meet learning outcomes.
• Plan and attend progress meetings with colleagues.
• Work with engineers and technicians to implement or improve processes and complete personal competencies record.
• Attend South Devon College at least once per week.

Performance measures:

• Job reports
• Personal one‑to‑one reviews (on‑site/college)

Personal attributes:

• Self‑driven
• Creative
• Inquisitive
• Reliable

Training: Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider: South Devon College

Training course: Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (workplans, project plans, schedules, drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) to draw accurate conclusions and make informed decisions. Use project management tools such as SWOT, stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart, summary risk profiles. Use problem‑solving tools such as RCA, PFMEA, Fishbone, PPS, APQP. Analyse and interpret data to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as PPM quality adherence, cost analysis, test data. Communicate with appropriate methods (formal/informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media) incorporating relevant metrics. Use approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation. Use lean tools and techniques such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, 5S, Kaizen, Poka‑Yoke. Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation. Use financial planning, recording and review processes (budgeting, estimating, cost control, forecasting, investment appraisal). Use computer‑based software systems such as CAD, data analytics, databases.

Learning journey: During the first two years of your apprenticeship you will spend six months in each of four manufacturing areas, learning key processes to form the foundation of your engineering skill set.

• Cleaving and splicing repeatability.
• Measurement accuracy and data interpretation.

In our Modules area you will learn:

• Optical fibre routing.
• Bespoke electronic and optical testing for the particular assemblies.
• Cleaving and splicing for critical lengths.

In our Fibre‑Q area you will learn:

• Active alignment of a Fibre Coupled Acousto‑Optic Modulator (FCAOM).
• Introductory mathematics and physics around AOMs.

In our Photonic Packaging area you will learn:

• Introductory skills around photonics packaging such as using pick and place machines, soldering of microelectronics, passive and active alignment and test of varied photonic devices.

In our Fused Fibre Optics area you will learn:

• Build a fused fibre optic coupler.
• Measure and performance verify devices.

In the final two years, you will move to our office area to support Manufacturing Engineering and NPI Engineering.

Manufacturing Engineering: learn continuous improvement strategies, Six‑Sigma and 6S methodologies.

NPI Engineering: learn documentation creation, build and test procedures, bills‑of‑materials, new optical and electronic test methods, product development cycles.

Requirements:

• Maths (or related) grade B
• Physics (or related) grade B
• Engineering (or related) grade Distinction
• Other relevant qualifications and industry experience can be shared; apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect existing knowledge.

Skills:

• Creative
• Initiative

Other requirements: Eagerness to learn and develop knowledge and understanding in the field of fibre optics is important.

About this employer: G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications. Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognised for the breadth of our acousto‑optic, electro‑optic, crystal‑optic, fibre optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognised as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defence industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy‑five years. At our Torquay site, we design and manufacture best‑in‑class fibre optics components and modules, for a worldwide customer base of industrial, aerospace, and life science OEMs. Our products are used in a diverse range of applications including undersea intercontinental telecoms cabling, medical diagnostic and surgical equipment, oil and gas pipeline security, and aircraft refuelling. Our success is built on innovation, precision, and the talent of our people. We are committed to developing capability at every stage of a career, from apprenticeships and graduate pathways through to leadership development. Our engineering apprentices have had varied continuation of their careers with G&H: Becoming Manufacturing Engineering Technicians who directly support operations with building of complex products, take the lead on production documentation, root cause analysis and training of production operators. Becoming New Product Introduction (NPI) Technicians who support research and development functions as well as new build‑to‑print products. Their responsibilities include a mixture of hands‑on measurement development and documentation and managing administrative tasks such as bill‑of‑materials creation and management and build procedure writing and review.

Contact: South Devon College

Reference code: VAC2000005712.