Summary
The Successful Apprentice will be actively and enthusiastically engaged in all activities, to ensure that you learn the practical skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding required to qualify as a Shipwright. Whilst ensuring health and safety and statutory regulations and procedures are followed throughout.
Wage
£15,887.04 a year
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Hours
First Year (College Days and Hours): Monday-Thursday, 08:30 - 16:00. Friday, 08:30 - 12:00. On Site Hours: Monday - Thursday, 08.00 - 16.30. Friday, 08.00 - 14.30. Total: 38 hours per week.
38 hours a week
Start date
Monday 21 September 2026
Duration
3 years 6 months
Positions available
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
* To be dependable and responsible, (punctual and reliable).
* Learn and follow all health and safety procedures required to keep yourself and others safe.
* Familiarise yourself with all equipment; learning how to conduct pre-user checks and report all defects.
* Learn how to safely use all plant and equipment.
* Positively commit with mentor, training officers, supervisor and HR to complete all elements of the training programme in a timely manner.
* Attend full time, block release and/or day release in college, work diligently to complete, modules, units and elements of theoretical learning and underpinning knowledge in a timely manner.
* Following an initial period of ‘Basic Engineering Skills Training’.
* Become a competent member of the Shipwright Department. This role will include; being a part of drydocking and launching ships, carrying out safety work on vessels and repairing lifeboats.
* Follow instructions and advice of supervisors; make a positive contribution in the production process.
* Successfully complete trade and coding qualification tests if required to meet Company needs, classification society requirements and specifications.
* Conduct yourself in a professional manner in all contacts with course personnel, clients, inspectors, supervisors, maintaining the excellent reputation of the company.
Where you'll work
Cammell Laird Shipyard
Campbeltown Road
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 9BP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MARITIME + ENGINEERING COLLEGE NORTH WEST
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
What you'll learn
Course contents
* Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
* Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
* Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
* Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
* Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
* Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
* Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
* Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
* Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
* Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
* Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
* Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
* Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
* Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
* Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
* Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
* Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
* Work safely at all times, comply with health & safety legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
* Comply with environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
* Obtain, check and use the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation).
* Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity.
* Undertake the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment.
* Carry out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment.
* Deal promptly and effectively with problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel.
* Complete any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity.
* Restore the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location.
* Identify and follow correct Metal work instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
* Mark out using appropriate tools and techniques.
* Cut and form Metal for the production or maintenance of fabricated products.
* Produce and assemble Metal products to required specification and quality requirements.
* Identify and follow correct joining instructions, specifications, drawing etc.
* Carry out the relevant preparation before starting the joining fabrication activity.
* Set up, check, adjust and use joining and related equipment.
* Weld joints in accordance with approved welding procedures and quality requirements.
Training schedule
Training will take place for the first year at The Engineering College, Monks Ferry, Birkenhead, CH41 5LH 5 days per week.
Year 1 - full time at The Engineering College.
Year 2 & 3 – 4 days at Cammell Lairds, 1 day at The Engineering College.
Year 4 – full time at Cammell Lairds.
On the job training with support of mentors.
More training information
Apprentice be be based at the below for First Year 5 days per week at:
The Engineering College,Monks Ferry, Birkenhead, CH41 5LH.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4 or above)
* Maths (grade 4 or above)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Science (grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Ability to maintain competency
* Ability to complete assignment
* Good Close eye sight
* Ability to work at heights
* Follow Health and Safety
Other requirements
DBS check is completed when you start and a full medical will take place once you start on the yard.
SC clearance may be needed during apprenticeship, depending on type of ship that you will be working on.