Production Operative Apprentice

Summary

Start earning while you learn! Forward Glass Ltd is looking for a motivated Apprentice Production Operative. Gain your Level 2 qualification with hands-on training from skilled experts who want to see you succeed. Build a secure career in a trade that’s always in demand. Apply now and join our expert team!

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

• Apprentices will have regular reviews with Managing Directors and rates of pay will rise during the apprenticeship.

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

Hours

Early shift - Monday - Friday, 06:00 - 14:30, Late shift - Monday - Friday, 14:30 - 23:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 3 August 2026

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

As a Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprentice, you will work in a fast-paced, organised environment learning a specialist trade. You will be trained to handle materials safely and use industrial machinery to meet high-quality standards.

On a day-to-day basis, your duties will include:

• Glass Handling & Cutting: Learning to safely move large glass sheets and use precision tools to cut them to exact sizes
• General Glass Processing: Learning how to treat and modify glass through various stages, such as washing, heating, or coating, to prepare it for its final use
• Machine Operation: Setting up and supervising the industrial machines used to shape and process glass
• Arrissing & Finishing: Mastering the "arrissing" process to remove sharp edges and ensure every piece is safe and high-quality
• Production Flow: Following the manufacturing process from start to finish to ensure orders are completed on time
• Health & Safety: Maintaining a clean, organised workspace and following strict safety protocols to protect yourself and your team

Where you'll work

Forward House
Clapgate Lane
Birmingham
B32 3BT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

GLASS & FENESTRATION TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
• Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
• Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
• Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
• Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
• Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
• Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
• Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
• Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
• Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
• Correctly position, align and secure the components
• Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
• Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
• Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
• Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
• Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
• Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
• Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
• Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
• Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
• Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
• Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
• Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
• Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
• Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
• Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
• Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
• Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
• Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification

Training schedule

All aspects of your training will be delivered on-site with your employer

• Earn While You Learn: All your training takes place during your normal working hours—and you get paid for every minute of it.
• Mentoring: Most of your week is spent in the factory with an expert mentor who will show you activities in Glass Processing operations, H&S, Quality Control & LEAN.
• Dedicated Study Time: We set aside specific hours each week just for you to focus on your coursework, online learning, and workbooks.
• Expert Support: You’ll have an assigned Assessor who visits you on-site at least every 10 weeks to check your progress and give you feedback.
• Flexible Learning: You can choose the style that fits you best, either a full day of training every 10 weeks or "bite-sized" 2-hour sessions every month
• All of this leads to your Lean Manufacturing Operative qualification, giving you a massive head start and the professional credentials to build a great career in the trade

More training information

• GFTS Ltd. are specialists in qualifications for the Glass, Glazing and Fenestration Industries on a national scale
• We pride ourselves on the quality of the training we deliver. At GFTS we emphasise the importance of a ‘Train, Gain & Retain’ attitude to the learning and make every effort to deliver industry recognised qualifications in an effective and bespoke manner. Although our industry specialty is in the delivery of Fenestration Training, our assessors are each skilled in their own specialist discipline
• This is a mentor-led qualification based entirely at your workplace. You will develop your skills and behaviours alongside your mentor on-site or at your workstation, with no college days and no additional travel required
• Our assessors provide expert support through classroom sessions, site visits, and observations. We adapt to your schedule: whether you prefer a full day of learning every 10 weeks or "bite-sized" 2-hour sessions every month for knowledge work, our support is built around individual progress to ensure you are fully prepared for your Apprenticeship Assessment
• To support your growth, a set number of hours within your standard working week will be dedicated to learning and studying, ensuring your qualification is achieved entirely within your professional hours

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade A*- C / 9 - 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

• This pathway, like many glass/glazing jobs, requires manual skills, handling heavy equipment, and spending long periods standing; so physical fitness is important
• Please note that interviews may take place before the vacancy close date and the successful applicant may start before the advertised start date