Find an apprenticeship
Instrument and control technician apprentice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Based in Tewkesbury, this apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to develop practical engineering skills while working with advanced fire and gas detection systems used on some of the UK's most important infrastructure projects.
Wage
£19,760 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Hours
At GET - Monday - Thursday 8.00am - 4.15pm and Fridays - 8.00am - 12.00pm.
At DEF - Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 5.00pm, Friday 8.30am - 3.00pm.
38 hours a week
Start date
Thursday 10 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
Throughout your apprenticeship you will develop knowledge and skills in a range of engineering disciplines through a structured rotational programme. To provide a broad understanding of the business and the complete engineering lifecycle, you will undertake structured three-month placements across key departments.
- Design - developing an understanding of engineering design principles, technical drawings and product development
- Manufacturing - learning how products are assembled, tested and built to required standards
- Quality & Compliance - gaining experience in inspection activities, quality assurance processes and compliance requirements
- Health & Safety - understanding workplace safety, risk assessments and safe working practices
- Testing - developing practical skills in the testing, validation and fault finding of electrical and electronic systems
- Commissioning - gaining exposure to the installation, commissioning and handover of systems for customer projects
This structured approach will provide a well-rounded understanding of the business while helping you identify areas of particular interest for your future career development.
Throughout your apprenticeship you will develop knowledge and skills in:
Electrical & Electronic Principles:
- Electrical theory and electronic circuits
- Wiring and electrical schematics
- Test and measurement techniques
- Electrical safety and safe working practices
Product Testing:
- Functional testing of fire alarm control panels
- Functional testing of hydrogen detection equipment
- Fault finding and diagnostics
- Inspection and verification techniques
Quality & Compliance:
- Quality control processes
- Traceability and record keeping
- Working within highly regulated industries
- Understanding customer and project requirements
Reasons to use Rodeo
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.
It 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.
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.
Professional Development:
- Communication and teamwork
- Time management and organisation
- Problem solving
- Continuous improvement
Where you'll work
Shannon Way
Tewkesbury
GL20 8ND
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGINEERING TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology.
- Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Training schedule
Based at Gloucestershire Engineering Training (Barnwood, Gloucester) for the first year of the apprenticeship working towards foundation skills and starting the level 3 knowledge qualification.
Year 2, you will be attending GET one day per week to complete the level 3 knowledge qualification. Four days per week you will be in company working towards your level 3 competence qualification and knowledge, skills and behaviour's (KSB's) of the apprenticeship.
Year 3, you will continue to work towards your level 3 competence qualification as well as the apprenticeship KSB's.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9)
- Maths (grade 4-9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
DEF UK is part of the international DEF Network, a European leader in fire safety and security solutions. As part of your apprenticeship, you may have opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the wider group and contribute to prestigious projects such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and other major infrastructure developments.
Company benefits
- 23 days holiday including the 3 days between Christmas and New year.
- Bupa medical insurance, life assurance, health cashback plan.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a permanent role within the business, with progression opportunities available. As your experience and competence develop, there may also be opportunities to support commissioning activities on major projects.
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
GLOUCESTERSHIRE ENGINEERING TRAINING LIMITED
Rachael Templar
hr-uk@def-online.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045520.
Closes in 14 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Sign in or create an account
“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