Manufacturing Apprentice - Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician

2026 manufacturing apprentice - level 3 engineering and manufacturing support technician

thales – stockport, england, united kingdom

location: cheadle

start date: 07 september 2026

salary: £24,000 per annum

employee type: permanent

working schedule: monday – thursday, 37 hours a week (9.25 hours a day)

do you have an inquisitive mind? if you are interested in how things work and want to be part of an apprenticeship programme that will develop and challenge you, read on to see what thales has on offer.

• earn while you learn
• job specific training experience
• recognised qualifications
• permanent role from day one
• tuition fees for university or approved training providers are fully covered

our manufacturing apprenticeship in cheadle is a fantastic opportunity to learn our business from the ground up, giving you an insight that will be invaluable regardless of whether you choose to stay in manufacturing or move into a different function. The programme will allow you to rotate through a series of different placements so you can see what you enjoy the most and where your strengths lie.

you will learn the key skills required for working in the manufacturing areas: assembly techniques, wiring and looming, soldering and esd safety. You will receive all the relevant equipment and software needed to work throughout thales.

year 1 of the apprenticeship focusses mainly on learning, spending 3 days a week at trafford college and 1 day in the workplace, following a set curriculum to give you the skills required for your future career.

year 2 allows you to embed those skills and is predominantly based on site working with our experienced technicians, learning in role while continuing at college on day release to complete a btec and nvq.

year 3 will offer the opportunity to rotate through other business functions where you will gain experience and knowledge in different manufacturing departments, while you work your way to end point assessment.

as a manufacturing apprentice, you will enrol onto a level 3 engineering and manufacturing support technician apprenticeship at trafford college over a 3.5‑year duration. Delivered via a day release delivery model, you will complete your academic studies at college each week and then come back to the workplace to apply what you have learned. The end point assessment will consist of a work‑based project report and a professional discussion.

Upon completion of the programme, you will have achieved a level 3 diploma in engineering and manufacturing support technologies, plus a level 3 apprenticeship qualification.

• 5 gcses grade 9‑4 (a‑c) including english, maths and a science subject

• 201 hours annual leave (plus a company day and bank holidays)
• company pension
• health care cash plan
• life insurance
• discount portal
• performance‑related pay uplifts
• 80 hours volunteering (first two years)

closing date: 11:59 pm thursday 12 february 2026

please note that roles may close earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

recruitment process: for further information about our future talent recruitment process, visit thales future talent – connectr.

all successful candidates must possess the permanent right to work in the uk and will be required to go through government security clearance at bpss level and to obtain full security clearance (sc) in line with the united kingdom security vetting (uksv) requirements prior to starting.

thales is an equal opportunities employer and diversity, and inclusion are integral to the success of thales. In line with thales' baseline security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the uk and employment and/or education history for up to three years.

great journeys start here, apply now!