Our apprenticeship programme combines college-based training with work-based learning, under the mentorship of our highly skilled engineering team. From September 2025, the first four weeks of your apprenticeship will consist of intensive training at The Grimsby Institute, Nuns Corner, DN34 5BQ. You will then work three days per week at Polypipe, Holmes Way, Horncastle, LN9 6JW, and return to The Grimsby Institute for two full days each week. In Year 2, you will attend college one day per week, spending the majority of your time at our Horncastle site, learning and being mentored by our team of experts. Supported by your training and our team, your tasks will include:
Mechanical and electrical maintenance, installation, fault-finding and repair
Reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Learning pneumatic and hydraulic systems
Working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
Responding to production machinery breakdowns
Assisting with the completion of maintenance documents/worksheets
Supporting engineering projects and improvement works
Servicing and maintaining machinery - TPM/PPM
Providing support to all departments across the site
Contributing to new working methods and participating in continuous improvement projects
Carrying out any other associated duties as required
Training:
Our apprenticeship programme combines college-based training, with work-based learning, under the mentorship of our highly skilled engineering team
From September 2025, the first 4 weeks of your apprenticeship will cover intensive training at The Grimsby Institute, Nuns Corner, DN34 5BQ. You will then work 3 days per week from Polypipe, Holmes Way, Horncastle, LN9 6JW, and return to The Grimsby Institute for 2 full days each week
In year 2, you will only attend college for 1 day each week, spending the majority of your time at our Horncastle site, learning and being mentored by our team of experts
You will complete a mixture of on and off the job training, including workshops, face to face training and working towards creating a portfolio of relevant practical evidence
You will have a review every 8-12 weeks with your Manager and Trainer to discuss your progress
Training Outcome:
The Polypipe Apprentice Programme provides a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to build a strong foundation of capability that will lead to a permanent job role, and possible internal progression
Employer Description:Polypipe Civils and Green Urbanisation is a UK leader in the design, development and manufacture of thermoplastic piping systems for major infrastructure and water management projects. From our dedicated site in Horncastle, we support a wide range of sectors including highways, rail, water, residential, commercial and agriculture.
We specialise in sustainable, engineered drainage and water management solutions, with in-house fabrication facilities and a skilled team delivering bespoke systems to meet the evolving needs of the built environment. Our expert teams work with advanced materials and innovative technologies to drive efficient, long-lasting solutions across the UK’s infrastructure network.
As an apprentice maintenance engineer, you’ll play a key role in supporting the equipment and systems that underpin our high-quality manufacturing processes.Working Hours :Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:30, whilst in apprenticeship training.Skills: Communication skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Problem solving skills,Presentation skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Creative,Initiative,Positive 'can-do' attitude,Not afraid to ask questions,Highly driven individual,Self-starter....Read more...
POSITION TITLE
Graduate, Electrical Design Engineer
EDUCATION & TRAINING LEVEL
Degree
JOB DESCRIPTION
To contribute towards the design and development of bespoke electrical components and associated products and equipment. Involved from concept to delivery, specifying materials, wiring configurations and electrical test procedures and parameters, ensuring compliance to customer specifications.
JOB PROFILE
Evaluate customer specifications to determine electrical design requirements.
Contribute to the design of components and related assemblies.
Interpret and create wiring diagrams and tables.
Conduct electrical analysis on sproduct designs.
Evaluate product safety to determine if a design meets relevant legislation and comment/act accordingly.
Design and/or define electrical test methods and equipment.
Support the implementation of such methods and equipment.
Assist in the training of other engineers and inspectors.
Design and build electrical test equipment, harnesses, motorised fixtures etc.
Produce clear and concise electrical test instructions and associated documentation.
Program test equipment.
Support off site test and qualification activities.
Conduct Research and Development activities in line with the Company’s Technology Road Map.
Evaluate products and materials in order to ascertain their suitability for use.
Contribute to root cause analyses (8D, Ishikawa) and develop solutions to prevent recurrence of failures.
Review and approve the work of other members of the department.
Champion a Right First Time attitude to electrical design.
Build close relationships with other departments within the company.
Support the Company’s Quality, Environmental and Health and Safety policies.
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Applying safe systems of working.
Make a technical contribution to either the design, development, quality assurance, installation, commissioning, decommissioning, operation or maintenance of products, equipment, systems, processes or services.
replacement of filters;
checking and replacement of drive belts;
testing, inspection and minor repair of central battery systems;
testing and minor repair of emergency lighting systems;
testing of Fire Alarm systems;
minor lighting repairs to both internal and external installations;
legionella checks to hot and cold water systems (eg temperature recording);
reading of energy consumption meters;
assisting in the dosing of heating systems;
freeing, oiling and greasing of critical system components;
assisting with the inspection and testing of fume cupboards.
How to diagnose and repair faults in engineering installations, plant and equipment. To deal with new situations as they arise and to pass on knowledge to others.
How to interpret and work from verbal instructions, drawings and specifications appropriate to University buildings.
Show understanding and appreciation of all elements of building fabric construction to enable judgement on the extent of repairs required.
Perform a wide range of work of other crafts, demonstrating flexible and multi-skilled working
To learn new techniques and craft practices in line with evolving technology and legislative Health and Safety Requirements.
To manufacture, assemble, erect and install new work to current standard.
Carry out repairs, maintain and efficiently run plant and equipment.
Instruct others on aspects relating to their work.
Recording, completing and providing essential job information
Undertake all work in accordance with safe working practices and safe working procedures.
Driving safely whilst obeying all traffic laws and regulations, when driving University vehicles
How to diagnose and repair faults in engineering installations, plant and equipment. To deal with new situations as they arise and to pass on knowledge to others.
Work on unvented hot water systems and pressure systems
To learn new techniques and craft practices in line with evolving technology and legislative Health and Safety Requirements. This may involve attendance on training courses.
To manufacture, assemble, erect and install new work to current standard.
Carry out repairs, maintain and efficiently run plant and equipment.
To work as part of a multi-disciplined team and understand fully the inter-relationship between the various maintenance crafts.
Recording, completing and providing essential job information
Training:The training will take place in block release at Make UK, Aston, Birmingham.Training Outcome:On completion of this apprenticeship, you may be able to progress into one of the following roles:
Maintenance engineer
With additional experience you could move into a:
Technical role
Team leader role
Employer Description:A world top 100 university and part of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of Birmingham makes important things happen. Delivering groundbreaking research and excellent research led teaching.
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum, and botanical gardens.Working Hours :Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.Skills: Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Problem solving skills,Analytical skills,Logical,Team working,Non judgemental....Read more...
