Description
Location: 24 Don Rd, Sheffield, S9 2UB
Working for SPL
Stainless Plating Limited (SPL) is a long-established company based in Sheffield, with over 95 years of experience in precision surface engineering and metal finishing. We work with major industries like aerospace, defence, electronics, and oil & gas, providing high-quality electroplating, anodising, and coating services.
As an apprentice with SPL, you’ll gain hands-on experience in our purpose-built facility, learning techniques such as anodising, chromate conversion, hard chrome plating, and non-destructive testing (NDT). You’ll also develop practical skills in quality assurance and get the chance to work on projects for industry leaders like Rolls-Royce and Airbus.
We’re committed to sustainability and responsible practices, holding accreditations like AS9100 Rev D, NADCAP, and ISO 14001. This is a great opportunity to start your career with a company that values quality, innovation, and long-term development.
The Package
* Starting hourly rate of £9.83 to £12.71 (depending on age)
* 38 hours per week
* Monday to Thursday, 7:45am - 4:15pm; Friday, 7:00am - 1:00pm
* 23 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
* Company Pension Scheme
* Healthcare Cashplan
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
As a Quality Assurance Technician Apprentice (Inspector), you will learn how to carry out final inspection testing and quality checks in line with customer specifications, procedures, and inspection/testing methods (SPIMs). You will gain hands-on experience in verifying production processes, using measuring and testing equipment, and ensuring all components meet required quality standards before dispatch.
Summary of duties:
* Carry out final inspection testing and quality checks in line with customer specifications and procedures.
* Review production documentation and sign off completed work to confirm all standards have been met.
* Use measuring and testing equipment to inspect components, record results, and manage non-conforming parts.
* Communicate inspection outcomes and escalate any issues or uncertainties to the appropriate team.
* Maintain high standards of health, safety, quality, and housekeeping within the Inspection Department.
* Support the wider team and participate in training to develop your skills and knowledge.
What could the future look like?
When you join SPL, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.
Through practical, on-the-job training, you will develop new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for materials testing and analysis. This apprenticeship serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).
This programme opens up a variety of career pathways across industries including construction materials, civil engineering, geotechnical investigation, environmental consultancy, and infrastructure development, ensuring your materials science skills are in demand across multiple sectors.
This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Applied Materials Science.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
At SPL, we’re looking for someone who is eager to learn, detail-focused, and ready to work in a quality-driven environment. You should be comfortable following procedures and working in a structured setting where accuracy is key.
A strong eye for detail and a proactive approach are important, along with good communication skills to work effectively with both Quality and Production teams.
To succeed, you’ll need a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. If you’re looking to build a career in quality assurance, we’d love to hear from you!
Please note: Due to the nature of this position, applicants must be 18+
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous experience can be helpful, it’s not essential - we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest in the field and the motivation to build a career.
You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain. Either way, if you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Over 18 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship.
You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at SPL who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.
The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!
Eligibility
While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.
As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.
If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.
You’ll need to be over 16, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.
If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.
We’re Tiro (pronounced Tea-ro — white, two sugars).
In Latin, it means novice, recruit, apprentice, beginner, and soldier — the perfect name for a company that’s been helping fearless apprentices join ambitious businesses since 2005.
We believe great apprenticeships help everyone. There are remarkable apprentices out there just waiting to be found, and fantastic employers waiting to nurture them.
We’re proud to help connect the two — supporting industries that make, test, and innovate; from polymer manufacturing and materials science to sustainable engineering and advanced technology.
At Tiro, we make great things happen for people.
And that starts with you.