Apprenticeship Scheme

Welcome to the FGP Apprenticeship Scheme

In the precision engineering market FGP is , without doubt, a bench- mark business. It employs an excellent team of highly skilled men and women, and if you have what it takes, we want you on our team!

FGP Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to begin your manufacturing career debt free, gaining valuable qualifications and earning at the same time. Find out more about FGP,  the apprenticeship scheme, our training centre and the incredible opportunities that exist here.

Introduction to FGP

Housing some of the latest technologies in precision manufacture, FGP is an exciting and innovating place to work.

Producing some of the most complex and demanding parts the aerospace industry requires, we are held in very high regard within the industry. No day is the same here on our shop floors, and there is always a new challenge to be embraced and conquered.

Being an FGP apprentice, we require from you hard work and determination, coupled with excellent skill, and attention to detail afforded to all tasks you are asked to complete. In return you will pass out of your time as a highly skilled, experienced aerospace manufacturing engineer, indentured by one of the leading firms in the business.

FGP & EAL

EAL

EAL is the specialist skills partner and awarding organisation for industry. They are committed to investing in the industries they serve and the careers of the people working within them.

Through industry partnerships and years of experience supporting core sectors, they have built unrivalled knowledge and understanding of employer skills needs. As a result, EAL’s skills solutions and qualifications are respected and chosen by employers to deliver real career benefits for all our learners. Collaboration is the cornerstone of everything they do. Their long-term partnerships with employers, professional bodies and parent organisation Semta help them offer qualifications and skills solutions that are fine-tuned for the needs of their sectors. For learners this delivers added value and underpins their careers in industry.

External Quality Assurance Services work hand in hand with their recognised Centres to support the highest standards in training and qualifications delivery. For employers, this approach delivers a value-added service and assurance that their learners achieve the standards required by the industry. The Centres can also rely on their dedicated EAL External Quality Assurer (EQA) as a trusted partner for expert support and guidance.

In the last ten years, 1.3 million people in the UK embarked on an EAL qualification in schools, academies, university technical colleges (UTCs), colleges, universities, private training facilities and workplaces across the UK. Many thousands more industry employees have benefited from bespoke EAL solutions designed for companies to credit the achievements of their employees. Their industry expertise, coupled with commitment to quality and unrivalled service levels, means thousands of employers opt to use EAL services to develop the skills of their employees.

Training throughout our departments.

There are opportunities within the apprenticeship school to develop skills and qualifications across all of our departments.

Click the buttons to find out more about training in each of our departments.

  • Stores

    Training in the stores section will teach apprentices all about:

    • Different materials
    • Cutting materials ready for process
    • Distribution of materials
    • Using the Red Thorn system
    • Tool and gauge familiarisation

    All this knowledge within will impact on the apprentice to provide a wider understanding of manufacturing systems and materials, and will clarify the process flows of the whole factory.

     

    Packing and Dispatch

    Packing training is again vital in understanding process flows in their entirety.

    Training in this section is not just packing boxes! Apprentices will need to understand vital customer requirements such as oil coatings, oxygen awareness and reusable packaging requirements. Programming the auto bagger is a skill in itself, and stock control and a knowledge on treatments is also an important part of the dispatch processes. Packing is important within FGP as perfect parts mean properly protected parts, delivered on time!

  • Assembly is an important part of FGP. Within the assembly department apprentices will learn over their four year program;

    • An in-depth understanding of how to read assembly drawings
    • How to pressure test parts
    • A good understanding of how to insert helicoil’s,
    • How to use gluing and bonding materials, correctly and safely.
    • Knowledge of customer standard procedures

    And much much more!

  • Aerospace requires safe parts, and safe parts have to be accurate. Within inspection at FGP apprentices will have an understanding of the level of quality required for FGP and customers within the aerospace industry.

    This is done by showing what, why and how we carry out inspections and check the quality of materials and machined parts using the latest in laser technology.

    By the end of each year the apprentice will be able to do the following:

    Year 1 & 2— Have a basic understanding of manual checking of equipment for example using a height gauge, using a shadow graph and micrometres. Understand how to handle jobs/parts and have a basic understanding of the aerospace standard AS9100C.

    Year 3 & 4— Have an understanding of how to work higher end CMM machines and faro arms. How to access and use all appropriate files with a knowledge of what’s required. To have an in-depth understanding of the aerospace standard AS9100C.

  • FGP apprentices don’t just stay on the shop floor. They also cover sections within the office. This gives them full scope of aerospace manufacture from order to delivery.

    Within FGP’s planning department an apprentice can learn how to plan a repeat and spot order. This can be learnt by gaining a knowledge of the FGP process flow which starts from a purchase order. From this the apprentice can learn how to create a job card. This will also give an understanding of the Red Thorn system, which governs the entire part process throughout the company. Planning will give the apprentice a better understanding of drawings along with treatments and materials that are required for each job and each customer.

    Overall by completing training within the planning department the apprentice will have an understanding of simple planning.

    Who knows, your apprenticeship could lead you into being a Planning Engineer, Quality Engineer or even a Manager. The sky is the limit at FGP!

  • In the first year of the apprenticeship within the Milling sections the apprentice will learn all about Job cards and what is expected from each operation.

    Job cards are the documents which explain each operation required for the part, and include details such as the customer, part numbers and quantities required. They will learn how to read a set-up sheet and the basic setting of jobs, how to duburr their own work, and inspection techniques .

    As the apprentice progresses through the four years of training their skill level will progress too. This will lead to the knowledge of year one advancing to such a point where specialist machining and programming can be carried out.

    By the end of each year the apprentice will be able to do the following: Year 1— Set and operate a repeat job

    Year 2— Basic programming and to carry out a basic job from start to finish.

    Year 3 & 4- Specialist machining, can work on any part given to them from start to finish.

  • FGP’s Turning section is over seen by two production engineers that ensure every step on the apprentices training is to the highest standard.

    Within this section the apprentice will be taught over four years the many stages of what, why and how to become a skilled turner.

    By the end of each year the apprentice will be able to do the following:

    Year 1—To be able to set and run a previously programmed job.

    Year 2—Basic programming and to carry out a basic job from start to finish.

    Year 3 & 4—Specialist machining, can work on any part given to them from start to finish.

    This will be done by learning how to read drawings, how to run a machine, learn how tooling works and which tools to use, how to measure their own parts and overall progress over time to more specialist work.

The apprenticeship scheme.

The FGP Apprenticeship scheme is a 4 year Indentured scheme, comprising of both competence and knowledge requirements. Following on from their first year Apprentices will be required to attend college 1 day a week, and train for 4 days a week on the job.

During their first year the Apprentices spend time in our dedicated apprentice training school. the Apprentice Master will take apprentices through many disciplines including hand skills and manual machining. These tasks provide a solid platform to be built on alongside the technical knowledge elements gained in partnership with providers such as Yeovil and Weymouth College. Apprentices also spend time within all sections of the manufacturing facility during their first three years in order to build on their knowledge of drawings, machining techniques, full product processes and much more.

By Year 4 apprentices will have covered all sections thoroughly and will be asked to decide on the final preferred skill, in which to embark on fully during their final year.

Meet the master.

Andrew Johnson – Apprentice Supervisor

FGP Apprenticeships

Andrew is FGP’s Apprentice Master. His role is to provide support and guidance to the apprentices throughout their time at FGP.

With over 35 years experience within the engineering industry, Andrew has a wealth of knowledge to offer all apprentices, from how to cope with the busy shop floor environment, to top manufacturing hand skills. Andrew is a qualified mechanical engineer, teacher, trainer and assessor and he takes great pride in passing on his knowledge and passion for engineering.

Andrew has four main teaching goals:

  • Safety
  • Behaviours
  • Attention to detail
  • Taking pride in new abilities and skills

In order,these are the most important steps to take to becoming a knowledgeable apprentice. Andrew strives to be always approachable and has the motto of “if in doubt ask!”

The Training School.

The facilities and equipment for an unrivaled learning experience.

FGP’s apprentice training school was established in 2013 when moving to the new high end factory on Cumberland Drive. It is self sufficient, and each new apprentice receives a tool starter set to begin their training with, ensuring they have all the materials necessary to learn effectively.

Purpose built to meet the needs of the new Apprenticeship Levy and subsequent new Standards for Mechanical Engineering Technicians, The facility allows FGP Systems to train new and existing apprentices over a 4 year Indentured program of Study and experience. Classroom and Workshop based delivery in support of the World Class production facility in Weymouth. The training School incorporates Hand fitting skills, Manual Machining and CNC Machining in a 5S controlled environment using highly Skilled, Experienced and Qualified Staff. This facility helps FGP systems produce first class production and support staff, whilst delivering well above the 20% off the job training required since May 2017 under Government funding rules for apprenticeships.

Testimonials

Three Mechanical Degree Apprentices from ASMPT completed a 20-week tutoring course in the Innovation, Technology & Development Centre. Here’s what they had to say:

  • “As part of my mechanical degree apprenticeship at ASMPT, I require an understanding of materials and manufacturing, as well as the skills of component production, engineering equipment use, and CNC usage. To achieve this, I completed an 8-week training program organized with FGP, a local engineering company. I thoroughly enjoyed my machine shop training and developed the broad knowledge base required.

    I spent the 8 weeks split between completing turning and milling tasks, each teaching me new skills and exponentially increasing my knowledge, skills, and confidence. I found the teaching approach well-suited to myself; I quickly picked up what was being taught and I was made to feel competent early on. As well, I spent 2 days gaining a base overview of their CNC machine, greatly improving my understanding of the operation of a CNC mill and creating G code. What made it more engaging was the parts produced within the training were useful pieces used for machining and engineering tasks.

    Overall, I found the training extremely beneficial, and I have learned what is required for my apprenticeship, which will help me fulfil my job role. Both Andy and Ed were easy to learn from and created a relaxed but engaging environment. Therefore, I would highly recommend FGP for machine shop training.”

    Kieran, Mechanical Degree Apprentice

  • “Andy and Ed at FGP have a wealth of knowledge between them that they want to share with you in a well-equipped, fun, and safe learning environment. I was surprised what they had me making after only a few days of their guidance.”

    Tom, Mechanical Degree Apprentice

  • “The Lathe and Milling machine training I received at FGP was first class which included one-to-one training by Andy and Ed for 20 weeks. Andy and ED are great to work with, friendly, respectful, and professional.

    My knowledge and experience at the start of my training was very limited, by the end of my training I was fully proficient in using both machines, and I’m now able to help in our machine shop.

    I made some interesting pieces during my training, ranging from, a Plumb bob, Screw jack, Spring enter and even a set of dice which impressed the family.”

    Gavin, Mechanical Degree Apprentice

Apply now.

Becoming a skilled manufacturing engineer starts here! If you think you have what it takes apply now for the 2025 intake.

To apply for our apprenticeship please download the application form above, then send the completed form to hr@fgpltd.co.uk

All successful applicants will be invited to take part in an aptitude test.

Latest news from the FGP team:

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