Job Title: Engineering Apprenticeship - South Wales
Location: Port Talbot / Trostre / Llanwern / Catnic
Salary: £15,184 minimum starting salary
Length of apprenticeship: 4 years
Closing Date: Tuesday 31st March 2026
At Tata Steel we believe that our strength is not just in our steel, but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.
Tata Steel is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations in 26 countries and commercial offices in over 35 countries.
In Europe we are one of the largest steel producers. But it’s not just our size that sets us apart. What makes us different is our approach to business. We believe our strength is how we build collaborative relationships that create new success for our customers
Tata Steel has some of the most advanced electrical control and automation systems in the country, which enables us to develop the very highest quality of precision products.
Join us and help shape the future of Tata Steel UK and the steel industry as a whole. This is your chance to leave a lasting legacy and make a real difference.
We are advertising our Engineering Apprenticeship – South Wales vacancies across 4 locations: Port Talbot, Trostre, Llanwern and Catnic. For your interest to be registered please only apply to one location.
This Engineering Apprenticeship advert encompasses Electrical Engineering, Machinist, Mechanical Engineering and Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeships*.
As part of your application please select your preferred discipline.
What you will do
Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship:
We are one of the UK’s largest consumers of electricity. Whether your interests lie in power distribution, drives or process control and automation systems, Tata Steel has a challenging and rewarding role for you.
Machinist Apprenticeship:
A machinist is a skilled tradesperson who sets up and operates manual or computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools such as lathes, millers, and grinders to shape metal into precision parts.
As part of the Machinist Apprenticeship you will:
- Learn to Operate: Set, operate, and maintain manual milling/turning machines.
- Read Drawings: Interpret engineering technical drawings and specifications.
- Program Machines: Learn to write and edit CNC programs.
- Quality Inspection: Measure components to ensure they meet precise quality standards.
Maintenance & Safety: Carry out routine machine maintenance and follow strict safety protocols.
You will be responsible for the manufacture of precision products in our engineering workshops
Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship:
The role of mechanical craftsperson can vary greatly, depending on the plant and location of your department. Daily activities range from planned and preventative maintenance to fault finding and problem solving when things go wrong, ensuring the plant and its manufacturing units perform to their maximum.
Structured training will enable you to work on a large variety of mechanical equipment from large cranes, heavy machinery (e.g. gearboxes, pumps, bearings), to complex hydraulic equipment or machining components in our Engineering workshops. A mechanical craftsperson needs to be flexible, knowledgeable and highly motivated.
Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeship:
As a Fabricator/Welder Apprentice, you'll be learning hands-on skills that are essential in the world of engineering and manufacturing. Your role will vary depending on the team and location, but wherever you’re placed, you’ll be supported by experienced colleagues who will help you grow and succeed.
You’ll spend time shadowing skilled team members and learning how to:
- Safely use tools and machines like drills, guillotines, rollers, and forming machines
- Weld using different methods, including Manual Metal Arc (MMA), MIG, and TIG
- Create metal components and build assemblies from platework
Cut and shape materials using specialist cutting equipment
The Apprenticeship
There are few organisations who can offer the scale, complexity and diversity of career opportunities that you will find at Tata Steel. Throughout the programme you will gain experience of a wealth of systems, operations, methods and tools. You will be supported by experienced professionals with excellent on the job training.
Year 1 – In your fist year you will study for the below qualifications in your chosen discipline:
- Enhanced Engineering Programme (previously known as Pathways to Apprenticeships)
- FE/ HE Academic Engineering Qualification (e.g. Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma) for your chosen discipline;
- NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations;
- Digital Literacy
Year 2 – In your second year, you will:
- Study a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering;
- Start your NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Engineering Maintenance;
- Undertake further training courses and projects.
- Progress Tata Steel’s competency knowledge & skills units in line with your job profile, and to the agreed business standards.
Year 3 – In your third year, you will:
- Continue with your NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Engineering Maintenance;
- Be eligible to apply to start a HNC in Engineering
- Undertake further training courses and projects.
- Progress Tata Steel’s competency knowledge & skills units in line with your job profile, and to the agreed business standards.
Year 4 – In the final year of your apprenticeship you will:
- Complete your NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Engineering Maintenance
- Undertake Tata Steel’s competency assessments to confirm that you meet Tata Steel’s high levels of knowledge & skills
- Progress Tata Steel’s competency knowledge & skills units in line with your job profile, and to the agreed business standards.
Please note; Tata Steel will chose the college in which studies will take place.
What you will need
You must have (or are expected to achieve) 5 GCSEs or equivalent (including English language, Maths and Science) at Grades A* - C or level 4 – 9. Including within your 5 GCSEs must be at least a B or a 5 in GCSE Maths.
What we can offer you
As well as a competitive starting salary, you will also be eligible for a wide variety of benefits including:
- Nationally recognised qualifications
- Employment opportunities and career progression
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Ongoing Tata Steel training, which has built a reputation as one of the best within the industry
- One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)
Discounted shopping with various local and national retailers and services including Vodafone, Nandos, Virgin Holidays, Jaguar Land Rover, ASOS.
Why us?
Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers. The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents. We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea.
But it’s not just our size that sets us apart. What makes us different is our approach to business. We believe our strength is how we build collaborative relationships that create new success for our customers.
Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance. Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today.
Tata Steel is transforming the UK largest steelworks with £1.25 billion of investment in a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace, together with a new pickle line and other upgrades.
This will enable us to become a world-leading centre for low-CO₂ steelmaking, helping to create a sustainable business for future generations of steelmakers.
- Please note that not all disciplines are available at all sites mentioned.
