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

Kick-start your engineering career with Powdertech's Maintenance Apprenticeship in Bicester. Gain hands-on experience maintaining equipment, supporting repairs and working on improvement projects. You'll receive full training, workplace mentoring and college learning. Perfect for practical and enthusiastic learners.

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

Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. Apprenticeship Onboarding Session and Eligibility Checks: Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon & Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete some eligibility checks. This will consist of a series of initial assessments and an interview with the team.

There will be the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and for any questions you might have. You may also be required to attend an Apprenticeship Onboarding Session at Witney, Abingdon or Bicester campus. This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.

As a new apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216. Qualification checks: By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications.

We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2026. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies.

The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on-the-job plus time spent training.

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.

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.

Full structured training with college-based learning and workplace mentoring Full PPE and tools training provided