Design Apprentice & Sample Maker

We have a great opportunity for a Design Apprentice & Sample Maker. The Apprentice will be responsible for supporting the Sales and Design for Projects & Manufacture teams, ensuring the production and shipment of concept packaging samples for customer approval, and maintaining the business system, equipment and stock.

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age National Minimum Wage Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

Hours

• Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm.
• 40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

What you'll do at work

• Ensures all samples are despatched in line with customers required due dates
• Ensures concept samples are produced in the correct material and to the highest quality
• Ensures all samples are glued correctly, checking with Design Projects & Manufacture team where necessary
• Ensures all samples are labelled with “VPK” or customers own sample labels
• Quality checks samples for size, style and material before packing
• Support for Innovation and artwork teams with prototype / printed mock-ups
• Ensures supply of sales support packs are kept in stock
• Ensures samples are neatly packed and raised as consignments for collection by the appropriate courier service
• Takes responsibility for the management of board stock, placing repeat orders as necessary
• Takes responsibility for the cleanliness of board storage area and ensures waste material is collected in a timely manner
• Takes responsibility for management of consumables for the Sample Room, placing or co-ordinating repeat orders as necessary
• Takes responsibility for maintenance and cleanliness of the Sample Room and equipment
• Raises any ongoing machine maintenance issues with the functional Leadership & Team Leader team
• Communicates with Key Account Managers to ensure timely collection of any samples marked for their collection
• Communicates with Design for Projects team to ensure timely collection of any samples marked for collection by customers

Where you'll work

Stoke Albany Road Desborough Kettering Northamptonshire NN14 2SR

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

Training provider

CU APPRENTICESHIPS (BETTER FUTURES) LIMITED

Training course

Product design and development engineer (degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.
• Translate conceptual ideas or technical requirements into developmental outcomes or operational designs or specifications for products, systems or components to solve engineering challenges such as compliance, technology, technical or physical challenges.
• Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions or actions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) or Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA).
• Collate and use a range of data sources and supporting documentation to support projects.
• Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic and circuit diagrams, engineering drawings or 3D CAD models, simulation models, project plans, engineering reports, test reports, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
• Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data or developmental or test evidence.
• Manage assigned projects or programmes of work to meet the required specification, taking into account factors such as resource requirements, safety, quality, cost and performance or sustainability criteria. Apply processes for project or programme management including outcomes such as escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
• Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements, supporting safety risk assessments and mitigate any risks identified within the design, manufacture, development or test activity.
• Identify resources, such as digital tools or technologies, human, equipment, materials or data, to complete design and development projects or programmes of work.
• Create and manage a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership when undertaking product design, development, modification or update engineering activities.
• Identify and rectify faults, inaccuracies, discrepancies or unexpected results during the design or development process, which may impact the quality and reliability of the product, system or component.
• Ensure that all systems or equipment has been correctly configured and checked for safe operation before use.
• Evaluate engineering designs, development or modification options.
• Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities in the operation and performance of the product, system or component.
• Complete project documentation checks throughout the activity and report non-conformances.