Composites Technician Apprentice (Level 3)

Join SGI Composites – a UK-leading GRP and FRP manufacturer based in Colchester – and earn while you learn. You will develop hands-on skills in composite manufacturing, working alongside experienced technicians to produce high-quality industrial and commercial composite products.

Wage

£17,680 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
[Minimum wage rates](opens in new tab)

Training course

Composites technician (level 3)

Hours

• Monday to Friday, 7:45am - 5:00pm, with a 15-minute tea break and 30 minutes unpaid lunch break.
• Additional short breaks in line with Working Time Regulations 1998.
• 42 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years

Positions available

2

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Role responsibilities will include:
  • Prepare composite materials including GRP and FRP laminates, resins, and fibreglass in line with production schedules and quality specifications
  • Operate hand lay-up and spray-up moulding processes under the supervision of senior technicians, developing proficiency in a range of composite manufacturing techniques
  • Assist in the fabrication, trimming, and finishing of composite components such as tanks, bunds, enclosures, anti-slip systems, and architectural mouldings
  • Support site installation activities including the application of protective linings and coatings to industrial structures such as storage tanks, bund walls, and cooling towers
  • Carry out surface preparation tasks including abrasive blasting and cleaning of substrates prior to lining or coating application, following COSHH and PPE requirements at all times
  • Conduct quality checks on finished components, identifying and reporting defects or non-conformances to the Production Manager
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organised workshop environment, adhering to all health & safety protocols, site-specific safety procedures, and SGI Composites’ company standards
  • Complete all apprenticeship off-the-job learning requirements and portfolio evidence as required by the apprenticeship standard
  • Support the team across multiple product lines including spill containment, enclosures, furniture and planters, and anti-slip grating as business needs require
  • Participate in continuous improvement activities and contribute ideas to enhance production quality and efficiency

Where you'll work

• The Chandler Centre
  Hythe Quay
  Colchester
  CO2 8JF

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

• COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Training course

• Composites technician (level 3)

[Understanding apprenticeship levels](opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Review drawings, instructions, or information to understand task.
• Plan work. Identify and organise resources.
• Identify hazards and risks in the workplace.
• Apply health and safety procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
• Prepare and use mould tools.
• Select and check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record.
• Use or operate hand tools, equipment, and machinery.
• Store mould tools, hand tools, and equipment.
• Select, check, and prepare materials for example, weigh resins, cut reinforcement.
• Follow quality control processes during manufacture for example, check for contaminants, record batch numbers or expiry dates.
• Apply laminate to mould for example, cut, add darts, corner definition, orientation, position, and order.
• Complete preparation for and start curing process for example, select and apply consumables for example vacuum bag, infuse with resin, add heat or pressure.
• Extract product from mould (break out).
• Conduct final product quality assurance procedure. For example, conduct grading parameters checks (size, appearance, weight), and take samples for laboratory testing.
• Identify issues for example, de-laminations, inclusions, surface defects, surface imperfections, and maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
• Record or enter data - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
• Interpret data for example, defect data and geometrical measurements. Use data to validate suggestions.
• Investigate a problem to identify the underlying cause. Identify a solution to the problem.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process, or task.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests.
• Use information technology for work tasks. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.