apprentice in Oxford

Becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience and training.

You will work alongside experienced colleagues, whilst learning on the job and appropriate objectives will be set during the course of the Apprenticeship.

At the same time, you will study for formal qualifications in your field.

The role You will work as an Apprentice Engineering Maintenance Technician.

You will be required to complete a three and a half year training programme that will cover all aspects of the role delivered through in-house training, alongside day-release or other distance learning methods delivered by MTC Training.

Appropriate objectives will be set during the course of the Apprenticeship.

You will work towards a L3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship by completing guided coursework and paid industrial work.

Note that attendance to the training centre and successful completion of your studies is required as an integral part of this role.

The apprenticeship includes an exciting opportunity to work within different workshops in the Department of Pharmacology, which support research into biological and life sciences and various other areas of research.

There will also be the opportunity to work alongside specialists within the University's Estates Team and other approved contractors., All tasks will be at a level appropriate to the apprentice's developing skills, under the guidance of our Building and Safety Manager and in consultation with the workshop heads within Pharmacology.

All skill areas will involve the identification, planning and performing of engineering maintenance technician tasks across the Department, including the operation of specialist machinery.

The apprentice will also support all aspects of the day-to-day running of the workshop.

The apprentice will be supervised at all times when in workshops.

• Key Duties
• Learn the basic skills required to use a wide range of machine tools present in a machine workshop including three-axis CNC/manual milling machines and two-axis CNC/manual lathes.
• Learn to use a wide range of workshop equipment, including precision measuring instruments, lathes, milling machines, grinders, power saws, hand tools, soldering irons and sheet metal equipment.
• Learn to perform and support the installation, configuration, and maintenance of experimental equipment for various research groups around the building (in addition to departmental facilities) and be responsible for the installation methods employed by the team and external contractors.
• Learn to install pressured pipework and supporting systems across the Department including in collaboration with research groups.
• Learn and assist with designing and installing electrical systems including single and 3-phase circuits including modifications to existing electrical systems and ensuring all works are carried out in full compliance with all related legislation, requirements established by the University Safety Office, Policy Statements and relevant electrical regulations and safety standards and philosophies.
• Learn procedures for installing and calibrating instrumentation, in collaboration with external contractors, and for troubleshooting faulty or malfunctioning instruments.
• Learn to identify and rectify instrumentation problems with experimental equipment and/or test facilities.
• Help users with training and guidance on the use of communal equipment, with reference to Standard Operating Procedures. Review existing and develop new SOPs where required.
• Maintain booking systems and order consumables, as necessary to support communal equipment and facilities.
• Support for research labs including arranging and co-ordinating a pipette clinic, servicing of balances and safety cabinet testing on an annual basis.

Recharging costs of the above to individual labs in collaboration with our Finance Team.

• Disposal of hazardous waste chemicals, including collection from labs, appropriate labelling, liaison with the University Safety Office as appropriate and transporting to waste storage.

Regular audits should be carried out to reduce stock of waste chemicals and advice to be provided to individual research groups where required, with support from Departmental and University Safety Officers.

• Assist with preparing drawings from sketches and discussions with researchers using Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs.
• Take stage by stage instructions from experienced technicians in order to complete basic technician tasks independently.
• Liaise with staff in other workshops to develop confidence and interpersonal skills.

Engage with academics, researchers, staff and students to offer advice on potential engineering solutions.

• Update/maintain logbook of work/projects carried out in line with the requirements of the apprenticeship.
• Support students in taught sessions, where appropriate.
• Support Outreach and STEM activities, as well as University Open days.
• Assist with maintaining, servicing, and repairing workshop machinery and equipment when required.
• Check and maintain operating efficiency and cleanliness of tools, apparatus and workshop premises.
• Comply with Health & Safety procedures and work in safe manner.
• Understand and record time and materials used on projects.
• Log details from customers and assist with providing quotes.
• Answer telephone calls, emails, handle routine enquiries and take messages as required.
• Meet at regular intervals with the Building and Safety Manager to monitor progress.
• Attend training college to ensure that the required academic levels are being achieved, and are on target to finish the course within the agreed time.

Hold a minimum of five GCSE's (including Maths English and a Science at grade 9 - 4 (A-C)) or equivalent.

• A demonstrable ability to understand how machines and mechanisms work.
• Have an interest in a relevant technical area
• Able to demonstrate an aptitude for the skills taught in the apprenticeship. (For example, through work experience, qualifications or references).
• Basic IT skills.
• Able to communicate easily and understandably in spoken English.
• Able to communicate clearly and accurately when drafting documents in written form.

Desirable

• A demonstrable interest and passion for engineering, science and technology. (For example, through projects, hobbies or work experience).
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