Composites technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Composites Technician apprenticeship teaches you to manufacture, repair, and inspect components made from composite materials such as carbon fibre, glass fibre, and resin systems used in aerospace, marine, and automotive industries. You will work with precision templates and tooling to lay up, cure, and finish composite parts to exact specifications. This skilled trade is in high demand as composites replace metals across advanced manufacturing.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Properties of composite materials and how fibre orientation affects strength
Manual lay-up, resin infusion, and autoclave curing processes
Reading engineering drawings and work instructions for composite parts
Non-destructive testing methods used to inspect finished components
Health and safety requirements when handling resins and reinforcement fibres
Quality control, tolerance checking, and defect identification
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare moulds and tooling, applying release agents before lay-up
Cut and position reinforcement fabrics to template and drawing
Apply resins using wet lay-up, infusion, or pre-preg techniques
Operate ovens or autoclaves to cure composite components
Inspect finished parts for defects such as voids, delamination, or dry spots
Carry out repairs to damaged composite structures following procedures
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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