Westinghouse Springfields Apprentice
Engineering Training
“One of the companies biggest challenges is ensuring that it has the skills available to meet
future business demands. The Westinghouse Springfields Apprentice Training Centre will be
pivotal to ensuring that the organisation meets this challenge, by providing the skills and
expertise for apprentices to succeed in their future careers”
Mick Gornall - Managing Director
Apprentice training has become vital to the continuing success of industry. All walks of life from
transport and medicine to nuclear energy require engineering or manufacturing in some form. We
must ensure we have the engineers, maintainers & operators with the right training and
qualifications to meet its skill and manufacturing priorities.
Westinghouse Springfields Apprentice Engineering Training commitment to skills development has provided a dedicated
training scheme for over 1800 apprenticeships spanning more than 60 years.
We believe we have a vital role to play in supporting the development of our apprentices to ensure they have the skills and
capabilities that match industry requirements so they can achieve their full potential.
We continually seek to improve and develop our training methods ensuring a first class start to a career in industry and an
occupation which can sustain for life.
Advanced Engineering Apprenticeships
Westinghouse Springfields Advanced Apprenticeship is
based on national standards, fully monitored and trains
apprentices to NVQ Level 3 in a variety of engineering
trades that maintains and supports mechanical and electrical
systems within sophisticated plants. As part of the
apprenticeship all learners have to attend college to study
for a technical certificate.
Apprenticeships are currently being delivered in the
following trades;
• Electrical Maintenance
• Instrumentation & Control
• Welding
• Mechanical Maintenance
• Machining
• Fabrication
Our unique training facilities provide a realistic working
environment with plant simulation rigs that reflect the type
of training more suited to a production and manufacturing
environment.
Aimed at young people with good academic qualifications,
Preferred, 4 GCSE’s at C or above including Maths, English
and Science.
Duration of apprenticeship is - 3½ years.
Initially apprentices are taught basic engineering and craft
skills to NVQ level 2 on a 6 month foundation course before
starting on specialised training programmes. Apprentice’s
progress to a further 6 months on advanced electrical,
instrumentation or mechanical skills. The apprenticeship
then follows work placements under the guidance of
occupationally competent employees to support
competences in their designated NVQ qualification.
Nuclear Engineering Degree
Apprenticeships/Higher Apprenticeships
Westinghouse Springfields have introduced Higher
Apprenticeships in Engineering. The aim is to supply
specialist engineering roles within the growing nuclear
“new build” arena with bright, talented and enthusiastic
young people. Learners will complete a training programme
and academic qualifications leading to an Engineering
Degree.
Aimed at young people with at least 4 GCSE A*-C grades
including Maths, English Language and a Science plus 3 GCE
A-levels (achieved or predicted), including Maths and/or a
Science/Technology subject or a BTEC Level 3 qualification
in an Engineering/Technology subject with at least
Distinction Merit Grade (achieved or predicted).
Duration of apprenticeship is – 4/5 years
Learners joining us on the Higher/Degree Apprenticeship
programme will complete Foundation Engineering Skills
and work towards qualifications in Engineering in work
placements within a variety of our business units.
Higher/Degree Apprentices will participate in activities that
complement our business targets and objectives working
alongside qualified personnel. The apprenticeship is open
specifically to candidates who are 18 years and over wishing
to pursue an engineering career in the nuclear industry.
Springfields Training - Tel: (01772) 763300
www.westinghousenuclear.com/springfields/Careers/Apprentice-Training
trainingadmin@westinghouse.com
Testimonial from one of our customers
“An invaluable service provided by the team at Westinghouse Springfields from initial apprentice
selection, key skill training and support throughout the apprentice qualifications. Once the apprentices
return to us after being at Springfields we quickly see them contributing to the business and their skill
development advances at an accelerated pace.“
Phil Bolus, UK Northern Service Director, Energy Solutions Group
Westinghouse Springfields Ex-Apprentice
Lisa Dentith - Area Electrical Engineer for
Reconversion Plant
“Without the basics to build on from a
Westinghouse Springfields Apprenticeship I
wouldn’t be where I am today”.
I first became interested in an apprenticeship at
Westinghouse Springfield’s because of a career seminar at
school. I decided to apply because it is recognised as one of
the best in the North West and because of the practical
experience available.
The skills I learned from the apprentice training scheme
covered all the core skills for my career, from electrical to
mechanical, plus basic skills for other areas. This meant I
could not only put these skills into practice for my career
but also for practical use at home which I would never have
dreamt of doing previously.
I enjoyed the whole course especially the hands on work
experience. The training equipment is quite true to life,
which gives you confidence when you are in an actual work
situation, and is definitely a better way to learn.
I also enjoyed working in groups of other apprentices with
similar interests. The social activities such as paint balling
and go-karting all really helped us work better as a team.
The most challenging part was studying part-time at college
and completing the apprentice tasks at the same time but it
did help me gain time management, and multi-tasking skills.
I would recommend the scheme to other women as it really
helped my confidence in the workplace and wouldn’t
change it for anything. It definitely lived up to my
expectations and more.
In terms of my career I am currently Area Electrical
Engineer for the Reconversion and Powder Packing
Facilities, the apprenticeship scheme has helped me develop
over the past 18 years whilst I have been on the site.
Without the basics to build on from a Westinghouse
Springfields apprenticeship I wouldn’t be where I am today.