At a Glance
- Tasks: Learn welding engineering while supporting major energy infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join United Infrastructure, a rapidly expanding company focused on critical infrastructure.
- Benefits: Gain recognised qualifications, hands-on experience, and mentorship from industry experts.
- Other info: Dynamic apprenticeship with excellent career growth opportunities and support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including English and Maths; 96 UCAS points from relevant subjects.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.
Our company is split into two business areas:
- Utility Infrastructure – Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
- Social Infrastructure - Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Apprentice Welding Engineer to join our Technical Assurance Team within our Energy business, where we design, build and maintain critical national infrastructure on behalf of the UK's gas transmission and distribution network owners. Working alongside experienced Welding Engineers and Technical Assurance professionals, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a competent Welding Engineer in the UK energy infrastructure sector.
You will support the delivery of major transmission and distribution projects by helping ensure welding activities, materials, fabrication and construction are delivered safely, compliantly and to the highest quality standards. This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain nationally recognised engineering qualifications while developing practical experience in welding engineering, quality assurance, materials, inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), technical compliance and digital assurance within a highly regulated industry.
What You'll Be Doing
- Learn how weld engineering supports the safe delivery of major energy infrastructure projects.
- Assist with reviewing engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
- Develop an understanding of welding procedures, materials, weld maps and material traceability.
- Support the preparation and management of project documentation, technical records and compliance trackers.
- Gain experience of welding inspection and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques used to verify the quality of welded joints.
- Assist with site visits, audits and inspections to ensure work is completed safely and in accordance with project and industry standards.
- Learn how to identify and record quality issues, supporting the implementation of corrective actions where required.
- Receive training in digital engineering and quality assurance systems used to manage welding records, inspections and project compliance.
- Work closely with engineering, construction and quality teams while developing your technical knowledge and practical experience.
- Attend project meetings and contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality engineering solutions.
- Complete your apprenticeship programme while working towards recognised engineering qualifications, supported by experienced mentors throughout your development.
In order to fully develop in your role, you will be enrolled onto the L6 Manufacturing Engineer apprenticeship qualification with our training partner the University of Greater Manchester. This learning pathway will include day release attendance at the university campus in Bolton for formally timetabled classes, including lectures, tutorials and tutor-led in-class exercises, along with case studies, laboratories, investigations and assignments.
Academic Entry Requirements
In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have achieved, or be predicted to achieve by Summer 2026:
- 5 GCSEs at Grade 9-4/A*-C including English, Mathematics and a science, technology or engineering-related subject.
- A minimum of 96 UCAS points from Level 3 subjects, which must include a mathematical-based subject and a science, technology, engineering or additional mathematics related subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics and Physics, BTEC 90-credit Diploma in Engineering or T-Level Engineering.
- Good IT skills and able to use Microsoft Office packages, particularly Excel.
- Good organisation, time management, attention to detail and communication skills.
You must also be available to start full-time work by September 2026 and have:
- The commitment to live and breathe our company values during your work and studies.
- The motivation and dedication to successfully complete your apprenticeship programme.
Please note, as this is an apprenticeship programme, in order to be eligible to apply you must not already have an equivalent level or higher qualification in the occupational area, or significant work experience.
Upon successful completion of your programme, you will achieve:
- Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship.
- Beng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.
- Ability to apply for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with a relevant Engineering Council body such as the IET or IMechE.
Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Welding Engineer
✨Dive into Local Manufacturing Events
Get yourself out there and check out local manufacturing expos or trade shows! These events are gold mines for networking and can put you in touch with potential employers like United Living. Plus, you might discover companies that are looking for apprentices directly.
✨Join Apprenticeship Networks
Look for local apprenticeship networks and community forums focused on manufacturing. Engaging in these spaces can lead you to hidden opportunities and advice from others who’ve been in your shoes — they might have inside info on which companies are hiring apprentices!
✨Reach Out Directly to Companies
Don't shy away from reaching out! If you have specific companies in mind like United Living, shoot them an email or give them a call to inquire about potential apprenticeship opportunities. Sometimes, they might not have openings posted, but they’re always keen to meet passionate candidates!
✨Utilise College Resources
If you're studying, tap into your college’s career services for leads on manufacturing apprenticeships. They often have connections with local businesses and can help you polish your application to stand out. And remember, applying through our website can give you a leg up on the competition for positions at United Living!
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Welding Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing and production sector, we want to see your hands-on skills. Make sure your CV lists any relevant technical abilities or tools you’ve worked with, like machinery or software specific to production processes. This is your chance to shine a light on any experience you already have, even if it’s just in class or through a hobby!
Highlight Your Commitment to Learning:As this is an apprenticeship, emphasising your eagerness to learn is crucial! In your cover letter, mention specific areas of manufacturing you're excited to learn about, and why you're passionate about joining United Living. Show us you’re ready to dive into the practical world of production!
Include Relevant Qualifications:List any qualifications or certifications related to manufacturing—think health and safety, technical courses, or even basic engineering principles. It can help set you apart from others and show you come prepared and informed about the industry standards!
Keep It Relevant and Concise:When applying for an apprenticeship, make sure your documents are straightforward and relevant. Focus on your most pertinent experiences and avoid clutter. Remember, humility goes a long way—if you've worked on projects, even in a school setting, don’t hesitate to include those to reflect your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Living
✨Get Hands-On with Machinery
Since you're eyeing an apprenticeship in manufacturing-production, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the tools and machinery related to the role. We should brush up on our basic mechanical skills and be ready to talk about any hands-on experiences we've had, like school projects or part-time work that involved manual tasks.
✨Show Your Understanding of Safety Protocols
Safety is paramount in manufacturing, so be prepared to discuss health and safety protocols relevant to the industry. We can expect questions focusing on how to maintain a safe working environment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and hazard awareness—making sure we articulate our understanding can really impress the interviewers at United Living.
✨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
As an apprentice, they’re looking for enthusiasm and the willingness to absorb knowledge. Let’s be prepared to discuss how we’ve approached learning new skills in the past, showing we’re ready to embrace the learning curve that comes with this exciting opportunity at United Living.
✨Research Typical Production Processes
It might help us to know a thing or two about basic manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, quality control checks, and production scheduling. We could bring examples of these processes from our research or coursework to showcase our interest and understanding of the field during the interview.
