Manufacturing Apprentice

SFS Manufacturing Group Ltd in Blackburn are recruiting for a Manufacturing Apprentice. The successful candidate will work towards completing a Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship over the duration of 15 months.

What you'll do

Manufacturing Apprentice – Silicone Rubber Production

• Completed training in the safe and independent operation of silicone rubber extrusion machinery, producing components and profiles to customer specifications and quality standards.

• Assisted with machine setup, material preparation, tooling changes, and process monitoring to ensure efficient production runs and minimise waste.

• Conducted routine quality inspections using measuring equipment and visual checks to ensure finished products met required dimensions, tolerances, and quality standards.

• Identified and reported production issues, defects, or equipment faults to supervisors, contributing to continuous improvement and product quality.

• Responsible for packaging finished goods accurately and securely, ensuring products were prepared for dispatch in accordance with customer requirements and shipping schedules.

• Maintained accurate production, quality, and stock records where required.

• Assisted with raw material handling, stock control, and inventory management within the warehouse and production areas.

• Performed daily housekeeping duties, ensuring production and warehouse areas remained clean, organised, and compliant with health and safety regulations.

• Followed company quality, environmental, and health and safety procedures, including the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Worked collaboratively with production operators, supervisors, and warehouse personnel to meet production targets and customer delivery deadlines.

• Developed practical skills and knowledge across manufacturing operations, extrusion processes, quality control, warehouse management, and continuous improvement activities as part of an apprenticeship programme.

Training

• Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative
• Work-based learning
• Functional Skills

After the apprenticeship

Progression onto full-time employment.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working

Things to consider

• Punctual

• Fast paced environment

• Good communicator

Benefits

28 Days holiday per year (Including Bank Holidays).

About the employer

The SFS Manufacturing Group Ltd was formed by the merger of Silicone Fabrication Services Ltd and SFS Performance Ltd, to form a company dedicated to the supply of silicone rubber products in various forms. The silicone rubber products we manufacture include mandrel built silicone hose; silicone sponge extrusions, silicone sponge sheet, solid silicone extrusions, solid silicone sheet, fabricated silicone gaskets and silicone seals, extruded reinforced silicone tubing, silicone ducting, hygienic hose assemblies, calendered silicone, silicone mouldings and silicone compound.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Lean manufacturing operative (level 2), Engineering and manufacturing
• Apprenticeship level: Intermediate (level 2)
• Training provider: NORTH LANCS. TRAINING GROUP C.I.C.
• Expected duration: 1 Year 3 Months
• Hours: 39 hours a week. Working week: Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm / Friday 7:30am - 12:30pm / 15 min morning break (paid) 30 min lunch(unpaid).
• Start date: 4 December 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £16,224 a year