Level 2 Engineering Operative: Welding & Fabrication Apprentice

  • Company: RANSOMES JACOBSEN LIMITED
  • Location: Suffolk, IP3 9TT
  • Type: Apprenticeship
  • Salary: £17,238.00 per year
  • Sector: Engineering and manufacturing
  • Ref: NAS-2000014066
  • Application Deadline Date: 15/05/2026
  • Start Date: 07/09/2026
  • Positions Available: 1
  • Working Week: Monday to Friday from 6:30am - 2:48pm, with a 10-minute break at 10am and a 30-minute set lunch at 12pm.

Brief Description

The Engineering Operative Apprentice will work alongside experienced colleagues, learning the fundamentals of welding, both practical and academic. Gaining job-specific knowledge/skills to shape steel components with the aid of thermal cutting equipment, a range of machinery used in bending, folding and cutting metal plate and pipe.

Training to be Provided


  • The apprentice will be working towards the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard - The Welding & Fabrication Pathway (Option 4 Fabrication Role). 

  • This is a 12-18-month duration apprenticeship with college attendance required once per week at Colchester Institute's Braintree Campus, transport from Colchester campus provided.

Future Prospects


  • Successful completion of the apprenticeship course could lead to a permanent role working within the Factory.

Vacancy Detail

The company are continuing to develop their apprenticeship programme and are looking to recruit a Level 2 Engineering Operative: Welding & Fabrication Apprentice for our Manufacturing Facilities at Ipswich. The role will include the following:



  • Correct use of safety equipment including PPE (personal protective equipment), RPE (respiratory protective equipment) and LEV (local exhaust ventilation).

  • Produce a range of welded assemblies to include butt welds and fillet welds using both MIG (metal inert gas) and TIG (tungsten inert gas) on thin sheet and plate metal.

  • Grinding using bench and hand-held grinders.

  • Metal finishing using shot blasters.

  • EH&S training


Ransomes Factory Tour for prospective Apprentices, Thursday 19th March 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm.


If you would like to come along for a tour of our plant, discuss apprenticeships and to see where you could be working, please contact Jo Barber to reserve your space. Email: jbarber@textron.com or Call 01473 276271. Parents welcome too! Only available by booking in advance.

Other Information


  • You will be required to attend Braintree Campus 1 day/week (Transport is provided between Colchester Institute & Braintree campus).

  • There is no working away, and the shift is as detailed.

  • Full laundered workwear service & corporate tee shirts & sweatshirts provided FOC.

  • All PPE provided including safety footwear.

Ready to start your adventure?