Competitive pay
Blacksmith / Welder / Fabricator Apprenticeship
Course Title: Blacksmith SVQ Level 3
Location: Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire
Contract Type: Fixed Term Apprenticeship
Salary: Offering the nationally agreed apprentice pay rates, you will be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college)
Training Provider – ECITB - New College Lanarkshire - Motherwell
Start Date – 3 August 2026 (Provisional)
Course Length: The programme has an expected duration of approximately 4 Years
Entry Criteria for roles – No formal qualifications required / Pre-apprenticeship / Potential to work towards SVQ level 6 & 7. Candidates will undertake a pre-employment assessment and interview.
Job Posting End date: 9th March by 09:00
About apprenticeships at Mears Group:
Apprenticeships are an underpinning part of Mears’ philosophy; we are committed to developing the next generation of our workforce. Many of our most senior people started their working life as an apprentice.
Whether you are fresh out of school or college, or looking for a complete career change, Mears can offer you a strong foundation for your future career and beyond.
All our Apprentices are paid the National Apprentice minimum wage, and you will be paid for your normal working hours plus your attendance at college with the opportunity to get real life experiences, such as working in people’s homes, getting involved in community projects and improving people’s lives by being customer focused.
What does a life as a Blacksmith / Welder / Fabricator look like?
A Blacksmith / Welder / Fabricator works in a range of environments including workshops, construction sites, residential properties, commercial buildings, and industrial settings. The role involves fabricating, repairing, and installing metal components and structures using a variety of welding and fabrication techniques.
You will work with steel and other metals to manufacture items such as gates, railings, staircases, structural supports, and bespoke metalwork, while ensuring all work meets quality, safety, and specification requirements.
The apprenticeship course will cover the following: –
1. Develop and maintain good working relationships
2. Read and interpret technical drawings and specifications
3. Health & safety within a workshop and site environment
4. Measure, mark out, cut, and form metal components
5. Welding processes (MIG, TIG, and ARC)
6. Fabrication and assembly of metal structures
7. Use of hand tools, power tools, and fabrication machinery
8. Installation and repair of metalwork on site
9. Quality control and finishing of fabricated components
What do you need to be a successful applicant: –
10. The potential to work at SCQF level 6/7
11. The ability and desire to learn and develop a thorough knowledge of metal fabrication, welding techniques, and safety procedures
12. Strong communication skills
13. Ability to establish and maintain good customer/client relationships
14. Candidates will undertake a pre-employment assessment
15. You must live within a North Lanarkshire postcode and be able to independently travel to and from the branch
What will I learn through the apprenticeship programme?
With 30 years’ experience of delivering market-leading repairs and maintenance services, Mears is trusted to deliver more than 6,000 repairs daily to a portfolio of more than 1,000,000 homes nationwide.
The Mears Careers National Apprenticeship Scheme is designed to empower and challenge you. You will be trusted with real work and responsibility from the outset. During your apprenticeship, you will earn while you learn, receiving formal college training alongside hands-on experience working with skilled tradespeople who will mentor and develop your practical skills.
We are looking for people with integrity who are self-reliant, highly motivated, and take pride in their work — individuals who are willing to get involved, solve problems, and continually improve.
What you will get:
16. Access to our wide range of colleague benefits at Mears Group, designed to save you money and support your wellbeing
17. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
18. Annual Mears Fun Day – Our annual Fun Day is organised as a massive thank you from the Executive team for all the hard work!
19. Chromebook provided – to support your studies
20. Tools – we will help fund your first set of work tools
21. Staff perks with Mears Rewards - discounts of up to 10% weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, Share save scheme, plus much more
Application Process:
22. All applicants must submit their CV and complete the apprenticeship questionnaire via the Mears Careers website
23. If shortlisted, you will be contacted to confirm whether you have been selected for the next stage - this may be an assessment centre or an individual interview
24. Please note: as part of the selection process, you will be required to complete a basic maths and English test, similar to the assessments needed to join the college
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK, Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship.
To drive a Mears vehicle, you must be aged over 21 have held your licence over 3 months and have less than 9 points.
Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment..