Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship; Methil

About Navantia UK

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re creating state‑of‑the‑art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state‑owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish.

By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well‑positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

The apprenticeship journey starts with a Level 2 in Engineering Operations. This is a general engineering apprenticeship covering Electrical, Technical Design, Fabrication, Welding, and Mechanical Engineering. On average, it takes 12‑18 months to complete. If you have already completed a Level 2 in Engineering Operations or an equivalent, you will not have to repeat it.

After completing Level 2, you can proceed to a Level 3 trade‑specific apprenticeship. The duration of Level 3 depends on your ability, the type of apprenticeship, and the location where you complete it. Level 3 trade‑specific apprenticeship typically takes 2–2.5 years.

Your time will be split between study with your training provider and practical work in the yard. We have dedicated college partners at each yard to support you throughout the apprenticeship.

• Interview & Assessment dates
  : 27th – 29th April 2026 (approximately 3 hours)
• Yard Tour Week
  : 13th April 2026 (approximately 1 hour)
• Start dates
  :
  August/September 2026

Reporting to: The Apprenticeship Supervisor and Manager

Job purpose: Manufacturing any metal fabrication needed to support production at Navantia UK.

• Hands‑on experience through a safe workplace placement, providing vocational training and education
• Practical on‑the‑job training
• One‑to‑one dedicated mentoring
• Access to fabrication training facilities
• Opportunity to earn while learning
• Attendance at college as timetabled

• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and organisational/environmental requirements
• Plan and prepare for metal fabrication activities before commencing work
• Check materials conform to specified grades, dimensions, and thicknesses identified on detailed engineering drawings
• Use correct methods for moving, handling resources and materials
• Set up, check, and adjust equipment for safe and reliable fabrication of metal products, maintaining equipment in a reliable condition
• Interpret technical drawings, patterns, templates, and specifications to mark out, produce, and assemble complex fabricated products meeting required specifications and quality requirements
• Use appropriate tools, equipment, and techniques to shape and form metal materials, demonstrating knowledge of material properties and characteristics
• Monitor resources and activities during fabrication, identifying areas for improving the production process where possible
• Cut, drill, shape, and prepare metal materials during fabrication activities using manual and power tools, thermal and laser cutting, calculating dimensions and tolerances with knowledge of mathematics and instruments/equipment
• Operate appropriate tools and equipment to join metal parts using a range of fasteners and fixing techniques appropriate to the specifications, in accordance with approved joining procedures and quality requirements
• Operate thermal joining equipment to join metal parts using appropriate techniques to the required standards
• Inspect and test joints for security against required standard
• Carry out quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies
• Deal with problems that occur within the fabrication activity in line with responsibilities of the role
• Restore the work area and equipment to a safe and reliable condition upon…