Spring Fabrication Engineering Apprentice
Level: 3
Employer: NEMA LTD
Location: Unit 16, Chichester Business Centre
An exciting opportunity to join NEMA Ltd as a Spring Fabrication Engineering Apprentice. You will manufacture precision sheet metal and wire-formed components for aerospace applications while completing your Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship
Duration: 4 Years
Expected start date: 07/09/2026
Hours per week: 37 hours
Wage: (Annually)
Job role includes
The role will involve the production of small precision-manufactured components from sheet metal and formed wire.
You will work with both manual and semi-automatic machinery to produce high-quality aerospace components.
You will develop skills in:
- Sheet metal fabrication
- Wire forming and spring production (compression and tension springs)
- Operating fly presses
- Operating power presses
- Using auto-coiling machinery
- Working with aerospace grade materials
- Inspecting components to strict quality standards
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Examples of products you will manufacture include:
- Brackets for aircraft landing gear systems
- Shims and washers for locking rivets on Airbus A320/A319 wings and fuselage
- Compression and tension springs for precision assemblies and actuators
- Wire forms for aircraft seating systems
- Electrical steel laminations used in stators and electrical assemblies
- Sheet metal fabrications for onboard aircraft filtration systems
- All components are produced to exacting aerospace tolerances where precision, consistency and attention to detail are critical
About employer
Established in 1954, NEMA Ltd is a Tier 2 aerospace engineering manufacturer supplying precision electro-mechanical and mechanical components to leading global aerospace organisations. Operating to AS9100 Rev D standards, NEMA holds quality approvals with BAE Systems, Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, Triumph and other major aerospace manufacturers.
With over 95% of manufacturing completed in-house, including precision machining, winding, assembly, testing and spring/metal pressings, NEMA offers apprentices the opportunity to develop specialist skills within a highly controlled aerospace environment.
This is an opportunity to build a long-term engineering career manufacturing safety-critical components used on major commercial and defence aircraft platforms.
Training will be delivered in partnership with Rochdale Training Association (RTA).
Year 1:
- You will complete your NVQ Level 2 through a structured block -release engineering programme, spending most of your time at RTA developing core engineering skills
Years 2 - 3:
- You will progress onto NVQ Level 3, primarily based at NEMA with one day per week at college
- During this stage, you will rotate across workshop departments to develop a broad understanding of machining, winding, assembly, testing and fabrication processes
- A key milestone will include producing a complete electric motor assembly and its constituent components from scratch, giving you a holistic understanding of the entire manufacturing process
- After completing your rotations, you will be placed within the spring and fabrication department where your specialist training will continue
- Subject to performance and attainment, progression to Level 4 and beyond may be fully funded and supported by NEMA
- Secure a permanent role within the spring and fabrication department
- Progress to Level 4 engineering qualifications (fully funded)
- Develop into specialist fabrication or tooling roles
Upon successful completion, apprentices may:
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Physical fitness
