We’re excited to hear you’re thinking of applying for an apprenticeship with Universal Wolf!
We know you’ll have questions, so take a look at the overview below. If you would like to register your interest, please fill in your details and we’ll be in touch as soon as applications open.
At Universal Wolf, we are passionate about growing a skilled and talented team. Our apprenticeship programme is a key part of this.
Our Level 3 Advanced apprenticeship runs over four years, and you will attend college over each of those four years. How regularly you attend during your first year will depend on which pathway you choose.
After your first year, you will spend one day per week at college, and continue to develop your knowledge in a real and varied working environment.
Let’s run through some common questions about apprenticeships at Universal Wolf:
Our Production apprentices will spend time working on our CNC or laser machines, or mastering different welding techniques including MIG and TIG welding.
If you’ve chosen to follow an Engineering apprenticeship, you’ll spend time in our Engineering department, developing a technical understanding of how our products are designed and developed using CAD/CAM systems, and how the Engineering team works with and impacts on other departments.
Our apprentices are paid above the national minimum wage and receive frequent performance reviews to ensure you are rewarded for your hard work and academic achievements.
Whether you are looking for a hands-on role, or are more technically-minded, Universal Wolf has opportunities for you to join the pack.
For 2023, there are 2 different pathways to choose from: Production (Sheet Metal Fabrication or Machining) and Engineering (CAD/CAM).
To proceed onto our apprenticeship, you need actual or predicted grades of 5-9 in English and Maths, or equivalent.
Our apprentices make an impact across the business and go on to achieve great things – for example, our Engineering Manager James started his career as a Universal Wolf apprentice!
Meet a few of our current apprentices:
Lewis Glover – CNC Machining Apprentice
Lewis joined us as a Fabrication and Welding Engineering apprentice in 2019.
Originally studying at Sixth Form on leaving school, Lewis soon realised that it wasn’t for him:
“I found I disliked being constantly confined to a classroom – I like to learn by doing, rather than from textbooks. I made the decision to leave after completing my first year; and find something more practical.”
Lewis heard about the Universal Wolf apprenticeship through a family friend, applied, and never looked back:
“I really enjoy coming to work every day – I’m always learning. I would absolutely recommend an apprenticeship at Universal Wolf to anyone who wants to feel both supported and challenged in their role.”
Josh Harrison – CNC Machining Apprentice
Josh is a third-year apprentice, whose journey with Universal Wolf began on a work experience placement while he was still in school. He has always been certain that an apprenticeship was the right choice for him:
“I’ve been aware of Universal Wolf for a long time – my dad has worked here for a decade and a half! My work experience really opened my eyes to the possibilities a career in Engineering could offer. Combined with the added draw of earning while I learn, an apprenticeship was the obvious choice for me.”
Nathan Mould – Engineer Technician Apprentice
Nathan joined us as an apprentice at age 22. Having followed the ‘standard’ further education path which was presented to him at school – college, followed by university – he realised early on that it wasn’t right for him:
“I realised that the lack of practical, hands-on tasks and the abstract nature of the work I was doing wasn’t for me – I found it very demotivating and eventually left university at the end of my second year.
I knew that I wanted to continue in education, but not in the same style of teaching. This is when I began looking into apprenticeships, as they embodied the academic and practical aspects of education I was looking for.
I’ve always been interested in Engineering, Maths and Physics; so an Engineering apprenticeship was a natural choice – I get to apply all these subjects to real-world projects.”
