If you’re good at problem solving and like to understand how items work, preferring to be hands on, then a four-year Springfields Advanced Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering will give you all the skills you need for a rewarding career at our Springfields site. With exciting job prospects in a company providing nuclear fuels for a growing Electricity generation sector. 

 

What does an advanced mechanical engineering apprenticeship involve? 

 

Apprentices are trained to a level 3 standard to maintain and support mechanical systems within our sophisticated plant. All apprentices study for a BTEC technical certificate on day release at the local college, with practical training delivered on site at Springfields near Preston, initially in our purpose-built Training Centre, followed by site placements training alongside professional qualified experienced mechanical craft personnel. 

During the first five months of your apprenticeship, you will learn basic hand skills utilising tools such as files, hacksaws, precision measuring equipment as well as learning to operate workshop machinery such as lathes, milling machines, pedestal drills and grinders. Within this time, you will also receive training on basic electrical circuits and receive numerous Engineering lectures, this completing your initial training. Following this there are several transitional courses to include Pendant hoist, scaffolding, ladder training to list a few to prepare you for a safe future on site. A further seven months in the training centre will see you learn you core skills to a MOET (Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician) standard. Working alongside other first year mechanical apprentices, you will carry out multiple specialist courses to include - hydraulics, pneumatics, key fitting, pumps, drives, gearboxes, pipework systems to name just some.  

Out on site then for a further two and a half years, as mentioned previously carrying out six monthly placements in a working environment, honing your mechanical knowledge/practical skills until with six months to the end of your apprenticeship, you reach the Gateway stage. This ensures you are ready for the EPA assessment stage, where you will carry out a knowledge test (currently multiple choice), then an observed practical assessment on site, followed up finally by a technical interview (one to one). 

Throughout your apprenticeship the instructors work with you to ensure you have the required development, to support you fully to ensure you are ready for the EPA stage. 

 

What are the areas of development? 

This role will focus on the Mechanical maintenance route apprenticeship scheme at our Westinghouse – Springfields nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities. This includes working in a variety of placements including oxide fuels complex, recovery / residue areas, combined heat and power facility and services, component manufacturing. Working in a team you will learn fault finding, pressure testing systems including relief valves, servicing/overhauling equipment, scheduled maintenance on plant items to name a few. 

 

We also offer apprenticeships in other roles in engineering - 

Please view and apply via the careers link, for the L3 advanced apprenticeships listed below on our website: - 

Electrical maintenance / Instrumentation and control / welder - fabricator / machinist. 

 

What do I need to apply? 

Our four-year apprenticeships at level 3 are following the national apprenticeship standards and aimed at students with qualifications at GCSE in maths, English and a science A-C or 5-9 or predicted to be at this level or equivalent qualifications. 

Enthusiasm for problem solving and motivation for a role in Engineering. 

 

What happens at the end of the apprenticeship? 

Towards the end of your apprenticeship, you will be given the opportunity to apply for a permanent role within Engineering here at Springfields. There is also an opportunity to study an HNC/HND in Engineering for individuals who have achieved the required level of competency and aptitude. This engineering role may include a shift working once the individual meets the required competency as the business has a range of shift patterns. 

 

Apprenticeship start: August 2025  

 

Closing date: 11th February 2025