Our goals - Your path

We’re looking for a Maintenance Engineering Apprentice to join our Operations Team (Based in Preston).

About Operations

The Preston Site is a lower tier COMAH site and as such operates with the highest focus on health and safety ensuring all our teams work in accordance with the site expectations. 

We operate two production facilities specialising in chemical manufacturing and Polyurethanes working 24/7 5 days a week.

The maintenance team provide a critical support service to the site ensuring that equipment is maintained in accordance with the requirements of the site.  The team support the day-to-day manufacturing activities and provide support on machine repairs and breakdowns minimising downtime on the plant.

Purpose of the Role

To provide learning and development opportunities for the next generation of maintenance engineers who are critical to supporting manufacturing functions.

Through training and development, you will acquire skills that enable the organisation to continue to support the maintenance of plant and equipment and improve efficiencies by developing new tools and techniques to support our transition to a more automated facility.

What’s In it for You?

The Opportunity: 

To work alongside a dedicated maintenance team who will provide you with an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge offering a blended learning opportunity of practical on-site training alongside day release to eventually achieve a Level 4 NVQ in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

The Rewards:

You will be rewarded with a competitive salary, and a sweep of great benefits. We pride ourselves on our total reward package:

  • Holiday 25 days rising to 28 days with service, plus bank holidays
  • Working 8am-5pm with 1 hour for lunch 4 days and day release 1 day
  • A company pension contribution of up to 10%
  • Private healthcare for you, with option to add family
  • Group life cover at 6x your annual salary
  • Global Income Protection (PHI)
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
  • Staff discount platform & Cycle to Work scheme
  • Dedicated Service Awards for reaching key milestones
  • Selected discounted Sika products

The Support:

The site has a strong focus on leadership commitment by supporting our team members to excel, you will be working as part of a collaborative and openminded team who are striving to provide a supportive and action driven culture underpinned by our commitment to safety first.

The Skills:

You will be actively encouraged to develop your knowledge in your area by working closely with the onsite team to understand the expectations.  Coupled with peer support and professional development we would be looking to support additional studies to NVQ Level 4.

A significant commitment to professional and personal development from day one, including a comprehensive local, product knowledge and leadership development initiatives complimented by a global Sika Business School offering.

The Future: 

Potential Career Routes: Shift Engineer / Team Leader

The opportunity to progress within a global company across a variety of business areas.

Your expertise - Our strength

  • Minimum of a grade 4 or above in English & Maths and ideally Chemistry
  • Commitment to delivering the highest levels of focus on Health and Safety
  • Excellent Communication Skill written and verbal
  • Commitment to achieving the qualification routes
  • Self-Starter driven to succeed
  • Willing to learn and develop and embrace Sika One Team philosophy

Going Beyond. Together.

Commitment towards Diversity

We welcome expressions of interest from all eligible applicants. Our Engineering Team remains disproportionately under-represented by women, and we therefore particularly welcome applications from women interested in a engineering career in manufacturing sector. Accordingly, we aim to provide an enabling and inclusive working environment for all.

About Sika

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world and, in over 400 factories, produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and vehicle industries toward greater environmental compatibility. With more than 33,000 employees, the company generated sales of  CHF 11.2 billion in 2023.