Find an apprenticeship
Apprentice Metal Fabricator

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
An excellent opportunity to start a solid career in metal fabrication
An excellent opportunity to start a solid career in metal fabrication at a small, family firm, which combines a highly skilled team with cutting-edge technology to provide a high-quality service to customers from a wide range of different industries.
About the Role
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to work in a multi-disciplined metal fabrication company. Working alongside experienced staff to gain knowledge and skills in all aspects of metal fabrication, including:
- Welding using MIG, TIG, and MMA
- Operation of laser cutting and water jet cutting machines
- Operation of press brakes
- Engineering maintenance
- Working at customer sites to install our work or complete maintenance
Initial Job duties will include:
- Assisting senior welder / fabricators to complete their work.
- Cleaning tools, maintaining equipment, and tidying work area
- Ensure you always wear your mandatory PPE
- Undertake any other task as reasonably instructed by a superior
- Must be prepared to work within and as part of a team, be able to interact with colleagues and management at all levels
Once the candidate is deemed competent:
- Cutting materials into the required shapes, checking dimensions and thicknesses
- Welding or joining metal
- Following engineering plans, drawings, and instructions
- Operating tools and machinery and welding equipment
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
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.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Requirements
The candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a full standard as a Metal Fabricator. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West. If you do not already hold GCSEs at grade A-D / 8-4 in English and maths you will complete Functional Skills in the related subjects to attain Level 2 Functional Skills.
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
About Hughes Fabrications
Hughes Fabrications was set up 45 years ago and has developed into a well-respected, multi-service metal fabrication firm which combines the specialist skills of its dedicated team with the latest sophisticated technology to achieve the best results for their customers. The company’s sought-after services, used by a range of industries, include laser cutting, water jet cutting, bending, forming, welding and assembly. Work ranges from one off commissions such as an intricately-designed beacon to celebrate the late Queen’s platinum jubilee to high volume batch work for prestigious clients in the automobile and food industries. Their creative work includes many ‘Welcome to’ village signs with laser cut images representing the activities which take place in the particular community. The firm was set up by Ian Hughes, whose son Iain, is now the Managing Director. One of their first apprentices has now been with the company for 40 years and will be there to help guide the next generation of Hughes apprentices. Successful apprenticeship candidates will gain specialist skills and support the company with its further development which includes continued investment in new machinery and equipment. All staff are trained on the state-of-the-art equipment giving everyone the chance to rotate around the workshop and gain experience using the machinery, as well as ensuring their fabrication skills are kept up to date.
What You Will Gain
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
To become a full-time and highly skilled member of the team following on from successful completion of apprenticeship.
Contact Information
The contact for this apprenticeship is: CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST
Becky Smythe
becky.smythe@ccsw.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049709.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills