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Apprentice Fabricator
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Launch your engineering career with one of the UK's leading rail companies!
As a Welder/Fabrication Engineering Apprentice, you'll learn how to weld, fabricate and repair components used on real trains across the UK rail network.
Wage
£15,392 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Annual Salary
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Hours
- Monday to Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm
- Friday: 7:00am - 12:00pm.
- 37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 28 September 2026
Duration
4 years 2 months
Positions available
3
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
This role is ideal for anyone looking to start a career in welding, fabrication and rail engineering.
What You'll Do
As a Welder/Fabrication Engineering Apprentice, you'll become part of our production team and gain valuable practical experience while studying towards your Level 3 Metal Fabricator qualification.
You will learn how to:
- Carry out welding activities to industry and coding standards
- Use fabrication machinery and specialist engineering equipment
- Manufacture bespoke panels and fabricated components
- Repair and modify railway vehicles
- Read and work from engineering drawings
- Maintain high standards of quality, safety and workmanship
- Work as part of an experienced engineering team
- Complete college-based learning and assessments
Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll be supported by skilled engineers and mentors who will help you develop your technical knowledge and practical skills.
What We Are Looking For
We're looking for motivated individuals who enjoy practical work and want to build a career in engineering.
You should:
- Have a genuine interest in engineering, manufacturing or construction
- Enjoy working with your hands and solving problems
- Be willing to learn and take on feedback
- Be able to follow instructions and work safely
- Have good communication skills
- Be reliable, motivated and enthusiastic
- Work well individually and as part of a team
Gemini Rail Services operates a strict Drug and Alcohol Policy, and successful candidates will be required to complete a safety-critical medical and screening process.
This vacancy may close early.
Where you'll work
Wolverton Works
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK12 5NT
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Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Training course
Metal fabricator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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.
Training schedule
You will work towards a: Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard
Training will be delivered through a combination of:
- Hands-on workplace learning
- Day release at Milton Keynes College
- Support from experienced mentors and assessors
- Industry-specific rail engineering training
You'll build a portfolio throughout your apprenticeship, showcasing the skills, knowledge and experience you gain.
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Requirements
GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 9-5)
- English (grade 9-4)
- Science (grade 9-4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Team working
- Problem-solving skills
- Initiative
- Enthusiasm
Other requirements
Perks and Benefits: As a Gemini Rail Services apprentice, you'll enjoy 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, a company pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle to Work Scheme. You'll also benefit from wellbeing initiatives throughout the year, industry-leading training and development opportunities, including welding coding qualifications, plasma cutting training and rail-specific engineering training. Plus, you'll gain hands-on experience using specialist engineering equipment and systems while building valuable skills for a successful career in the rail industry.
About this employer
Gemini Rail Services is one of the UK's leading rail engineering companies, repairing, refurbishing and modernising trains used across the network. Based at the historic Wolverton Works, you'll work alongside experienced engineers on real railway vehicles, gaining industry-recognised skills and qualifications. We're passionate about developing future talent and have a strong track record of helping apprentices build successful long-term engineering careers. https://www.geminirs.com (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
At Gemini Rail Services, our philosophy is "Apprenticeship to Fellowship." Successful apprentices can progress into skilled engineering roles, advanced technical positions and higher-level development programmes. This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a long-term career within Gemini Rail Services and the wider rail engineering industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Sonia Harris
Apprenticeships@mkcollege.ac.uk
01908 637056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047283.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Monday 24 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
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