Maintenance Apprentice

Maintenance support

Assist with planned preventive maintenance across plant and equipment. Support reactive maintenance and breakdown response under supervision. Help inspect, clean, lubricate, adjust, and replace basic parts where trained. Support maintenance work on spray equipment, conveyors, curing ovens, compressors, pumps, pre-treatment equipment, site utilities, and facilities. Assist with basic fault-finding alongside experienced team members.

Health, safety, and compliance

Follow all site health, safety, and environmental procedures. Work in line with safe systems of work, risk assessments, method statements, permits, and lock-off procedures. Use PPE correctly and maintain good safety standards. Report hazards, near misses, unsafe conditions, and equipment defects promptly. Support inspection and compliance checks where trained. Build awareness of PUWER, LOLER, COSHH, and environmental controls at apprentice level.

Preventive maintenance and TPM

Support TPM and planned maintenance schedules. Complete basic check sheets and maintenance records accurately. Help identify early signs of wear, leaks, damage, contamination, or abnormal equipment behaviour. Assist with cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and tightening tasks. Support good maintenance routines across production areas.

Tools, spares, and workshop standards

Keep the maintenance area clean, organised, and safe. Support control of tools, spare parts, consumables, and maintenance stores. Assist with stock checks and identifying missing or damaged tools. Learn correct tool selection, use, care, and storage.

Continuous improvement

Support improvement work to reduce downtime, improve reliability, and make tasks safer or easier. Contribute practical observations from the shop floor. Assist with small improvement projects under supervision. Learn basic LEAN and problem-solving principles.

Training and development

Attend and complete all required college, training provider, and workplace learning. Maintain apprenticeship records, evidence, and progress reviews. Learn from the Maintenance Manager, engineers, operators, and contractors. Ask questions when unsure and take responsibility for personal development. Build competence gradually across mechanical, electrical, safety, and process knowledge.

Additional duties

Support general facilities tasks when required. Assist external contractors by preparing work areas, locating equipment, or observing work where appropriate. Help collect information for maintenance reports, downtime tracking, and equipment performance reviews. Maintain a professional attitude around production teams, contractors, and visitors. Carry out other reasonable duties in line with training level and business needs.

Apprenticeship boundaries

The apprentice must not carry out the following unless trained, authorised, and supervised as required:

Live electrical work Confined space work Work at height Hot works Lifting operations Pressure systems work Safety-critical isolations Chemical handling beyond approved training Any task requiring a permit, licence, or formal competency sign-off

 

 

 

Training:

Course summary

Engineering Operatives are predominantly involved in engineering operations which are key to the success of the manufacturing and engineering sector, allowing employers to grow their business while
developing a workforce with the relevant skills and knowledge to enhance and sustain the sector.

Course overview

The role covers a wide range of common and job-specific skill sets that can be transferred across the manufacturing engineering industry sectors during apprentices’ future careers. Dependent on the sector
that they are employed in, there may be subtle differences in terms of composition and application of the job role specific skills and knowledge they will require, however the core skills and knowledge will be the same regardless of the sector/area they work in.

Duration:

13 months practical training period, plus 3 months for End Point Assessment

Delivery model:

Work-based training with your employer
Day release during term time (approximately 2 days a week for 1 year) at the Abingdon Campus. Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 300 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship

Qualifications included:

Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Skills) Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations (Knowledge) Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship End Point Assessment: Practical assessment Professional discussion

Training Outcome:

On successful completion, there may be opportunities to progress within Powdertech for the right candidate. The apprenticeship provides a strong foundation of practical skills, industry-recognised training, and real workplace experience — a solid starting point for a long-term career in maintenance and engineering, whether at Powdertech or further afield. 

Employer Description:

Powdertech Surface Science is a privately owned company, established in 1984 with a clear objective - to provide high quality professional chemical pre-treatment, powder coating and bonding services to specialist and niche market sectors.

 

Working Hours :
For the first 12 months, normal day shift (9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday), Then possible afternoon shifts mixed with days beyond that point. 40 hours per week, 37.5 hours with paid breaks.

Skills:
Communication skills,Attention to detail,Problem solving skills,Number skills,Logical,Team working,Initiative,Reliable, punctual, and safe,Able to work safely,Good timekeeping/attendance,Proactive,Practical and hands on,Calm under pressure,Respectful to others