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Production Operative SMT Manufacturing Apprentice
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Kickstart your career with Amulet Hotkey, a leading technology manufacturer, as a Production Operative Apprentice. You’ll gain hands-on experience in SMT and THT manufacturing, machine operation, and quality processes while working towards a Level 2 Lean Manufacturing qualification in a supportive, innovative environment.
Wage:
£16,224 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:
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 07:00am - 16:00pm. Friday, 07:00am - 12:00pm. Standard hours do flex at busy times.
39 hours a week
Start date:
Monday 7 September 2026
Duration:
1 year 1 month
Positions available:
1
What you'll do at work:
- Carry out production tasks in line with work instructions, production schedules, and quality standards
- Support Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing, including machine operation, loading components, monitoring production runs, and basic equipment checks
- Assist with Through-Hole Technology (THT) assembly, including manual component insertion, soldering processes (where trained), and inspection activities
- Contribute to quality management processes, including visual inspection, identifying defects, and reporting production or quality issues to supervisors
- Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing activities, helping to optimise processes and reduce waste
- Assist with general production tasks such as product assembly, preparation, and packaging
- Work collaboratively with the production team to meet targets and maintain workflow
Where you'll work:
Unit 1
Gore Cross Business Park, Corbin Way, Bradpole
Bridport
DT6 3UX
Training provider:
YEOVIL COLLEGE
Training course:
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
What you'll learn:
Course contents:
- Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
- Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
- Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
- Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
- Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
- Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
- Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
- Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
- Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
- Correctly position, align and secure the components
- Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
- Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
- Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
- Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
- Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
- Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
- Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
- Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
- Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
- Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
- Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
- Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
- Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
- Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
- Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
- Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
- Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
- Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification
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Training schedule:
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The apprenticeship training is delivered through a combination of workplace learning and regular college attendance. This training will teach you the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 standard.
Essential qualifications:
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)
- Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills:
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements:
- You MUST be prepared to commit to your work and training for the duration of the apprenticeship.
- In some cases, you may be required to have a telephone interview with Yeovil College prior to your application being passed on.
- If a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date, it may close earlier, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Amulet Hotkey Ltd
Amulet Hotkey Ltd is a dynamic technology company with approximately 70 employees across multiple sites and countries. Our core production facilities are located in Heathfield, Devon and Bridport, Dorset, with additional teams based in London, Australia, and North America. We specialise in the design, manufacture and global sales of remote computing solutions and maintain a collaborative, innovative, and people-focused culture.
https://www.amulethotkey.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits:
- 25 days holiday per year plus statutory with holidays running from January to December.
- Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Opportunity to progress into a full-time Production Operative role
- Potential development into specialist manufacturing roles (e.g. SMT Technician)
- Further training or higher-level apprenticeships
Contact
YEOVIL COLLEGE
Gabrielle Cobner
studentrecruitment@yeovil.ac.uk
01935845380
Reference code:
VAC2000030964
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