Manufacturing Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship 2026
Salary: £18,000 plus a £3000 joining bonus.
Working location: Bolton
Learning provider location: Wigan and Leigh College
Working pattern: This is a hands on role and as such, the majority of your work will be conducted on site. Our Bolton site operate shift patterns. In order to maximise time working with experienced team members in the manufacturing facilities, you may be expected to start as early as 7am on a regular basis. There is the opportunity for an early finish on a Friday (college dependant).
The opportunity
Manufacturing consists of the Assembly, Integration and Test of all our products for the company. The products we make are delivered directly to the customer/end user and therefore Manufacturing are vital to the delivery aspects of MBDA's business.
Integral to the build of each and every one of our range of products are our Operations community. They work with our Engineers to deliver on our commitment to our customers. They maintain the integrity of each and every one of our builds through the specialist work they do.
You will be part of a team of operations personnel in a fast-paced but friendly and inclusive manufacturing environment. The team has a great mix of personnel, all striving to deliver technical excellence and maintain product output.
This opportunity would suit anyone that has a keen interest in how things work and is looking to learn and shape a career around a practical skill. We are looking for someone with a love for hands-on work, who wants to contribute to the delivery of our products. Further opportunities during the completion of your apprenticeship may lead to more specialist roles, such as electro-mechanical dual skilling, and you could even end up leading a team!
Our Manufacturing Operator Apprentices are the future of our Manufacturing facility. We are working to build a flexible pool of Operators - and you could be part of this.
Programme structure
On this 4 year programme you will follow the Level 3 Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship Standard which aligns with IET EngTech professional recognition.
During your first year you'll complete your initial training within our Manufacturing Operations Training Facility, before moving directly into your manufacturing placements, whilst studying 1 day per week at Wigan and Leigh College.
You'll get to experience the following placements, to name a few:
Printed Electrical Circuit Manufacturing
Cable Manufacturing
Missile Assembly including Actuators and Control and AIT
Missile Integration including Platforms
Missile Test
Calibration & Maintenance
Please note: You will also be expected to travel to Wigan and Leigh College as and when required (travel expenses will be claimable).
What we're looking for from you
This role has specific qualification and subject criteria so please make sure you carefully check your eligibility against this criteria before applying otherwise your application will not be considered. If you are currently studying and predicted to meet these requirements by the start date you are welcome to apply.
GCSEs:
A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4
This must include:
English Language
Mathematics
Any Science or Technology subject
