Since 1997 Perkins has been owned by Caterpillar. As a Caterpillar employee you are instantly part of a winning team: a team that gives you the support you need to succeed and make a difference to the livelihoods we power all around the world.
Our Stafford facility employs over 300 people and is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of large diesel engines which are used primarily in prime and standby generator sets for the global electric power industry.
This year we are recruiting seven apprentices for a September 2023 start. We’re seeking:
- 4 x Level 3 engineering apprentices for manufacturing operations
- 2 x Level 2 logistics warehouse apprentices
- 1 x Level 4 supply chain data analysist apprentice
So, if you’re a school leaver looking for an alternative to full-time college or university or if you’re in work but are looking for an opportunity to build upon your capabilities and start a rewarding career within the manufacturing sector then we’d love to hear from you.
Applicants should have:
- Good communication skills
- Good time management and organisation skills
- Basic PC skills (e.g, Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc)
- 5 GCSEs (or academic equivalents) at Grade C / Level 4 or above
- Which must include:
- Maths and English
- A Science or Engineering subject
- Or completed one-year full-time Further Education and achieved Performing Engineering Operations Level 2 (6 units) or equivalent qualification with Maths and English
- Which must include:
Important dates
Apprentice open evening at the facility in Tixall Road on Thursday May 18, 2023, from 6-9pm.
Apprentice applications close on Sunday May 28, 2023.
Assessment centres and interviews will be held on June 19, 26, 27, 2023.
Successful apprentices will start with the business on September 4, 2023.
Contact information
To find out more about our apprenticeships or the application process contact Stafford_training@perkins.com
Apprenticeships
Level 2 Logistics Warehouse Apprenticeships
Logistics Operations Management are responsible for ensuring the correct parts and always delivered to the production line for assembly on time. This is done by running several departments from goods into goods out and spares packing. This helping the manufacturing operations team to execute the assembly, test, paint, and engine finish processes within the manufacturing facility, to deliver a world class product to our customers. This role utilises the Caterpillar Production System (lean manufacturing) principles to deliver People, Quality, Velocity and Cost (PQVC) improvements and results.
The purpose of this Level 2 Logistics Warehouse Apprenticeship role is to develop individuals within the logistics department. Who are responsible for the unloading of deliveries, packing and shipping of completed engines, spares packing stock management, moving and storing of parts, and delivery of parts to point of use in either single form or kit form. Additionally, they are responsible for doing this in a world class manner ensuring defect free parts being delivered to the point of use, on time.
As part of the role, you will receive all the required training to operate a forklift truck of multiple variations and various material handling equipment.
From day one you will be embedded in a team, solving real world problems. You will get to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide.
During this 1-year rotational training programme, you will be given the opportunity to experience different aspects of logistics, designed to provide you with an excellent foundation in your future.
During the apprenticeship programme you will learn how to logistically prepare a manufacturing process to build a complete engine in a safe and controlled manner and to the correct world class standard. This will be taught alongside your academic qualification at college and the technical training that you will receive in year 1 in our apprentice training school. You will also be taught the correct methods for the use of hand tools.
Additionally, you will be involved in the following:
- Logistics planning and engineering
- Working with warehouse management software
- Working with Inventory team
- Introduction to data analytics
Level 3 Manufacturing Operations Apprenticeships
Manufacturing Operations are responsible for leading production employees to execute the assembly, test, paint and engine finish processes within the manufacturing facility, to deliver a world class product to our customers. This role utilises the Caterpillar Production System (Lean Manufacturing) principles to deliver People, Quality, Velocity and Cost (PQVC) improvements and results.
The purpose of this Level 3 engineering apprenticeship role is to develop individuals within the manufacturing department. Who are responsible for the assembly, testing, painting and shipping of the engines to the customers, additional they are responsible for doing this in a world class manner ensuring defect free engines being shipped to customers on time.
During this 4-year rotational training programme, you will be given the opportunity to experience different aspects of manufacturing, designed to provide you with an excellent foundation in your future.
From day one you will be embedded in a team, solving real world problems. You will get to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide.
Rotations will cover the following departments:
- Engine Testing: Our test team are responsible for ensuring that all of the engines assembled at our Stafford facility meet all of the requirements and expectations of our customers as well as all national and international regulations. Responsible for the safe and efficient testing of the engines, our team in test also look for opportunities to improve our processes, working closely with other department in the facility.
- Engine Assembly: Our Stafford facility produces both inline and vee engines to meet the requirements of our customers. Our assembly team ensure the right parts are fitted to the right engines and that they are done to the highest possible standard. In addition to our main production lines, the assembly team includes our sub-assembly processes, where amongst other things, they assemble turbos and exhaust systems.
- Quality Department: Our quality department are responsible for maintaining our excellent reputation as a manufacturer of high quality products. Our quality department is responsible for checking engines during the build process, during the test process and before they are delivered to our customers. In addition to this, the quality team deal with our suppliers, ensuring that what we receive is as high quality as we deliver to our customers.
At the end of the first year of the apprenticeship, you will progress into one of these departments to continue the remainder of the scheme. This will be based on a combination of your preference, business needs, showing business values and behaviours, department leadership appraisals, performance on site and performance at college and demonstrated skills.
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be a qualified engineering technician and may be offered a position within our world-class team with plenty of opportunity for further long-term progression.
Level 4 Supply Chain Data Analyst Apprenticeships
Supply chain are responsible for ensuring the correct parts are sourced and purchased to enable them delivered to the facility for assembly on time. This is done by analysing a number of data sources to ensure the full status of the supply of all parts is known, traceable and trackable.
This apprenticeship is designed to prepare you by giving you a deep understanding of what data is, how to work with it and how to use it to gain the greatest insights to empower businesses. You will be taught how to describe, handle, process and manipulate structured and unstructured data. You will learn Python SQL along with modelling techniques using tools such as Numpy, Pandas and Jupyter. Alongside this you will be taught data integration, database design and ETL processes along with accuracy and quality considerations. You will delve into statistical analysis and modelling for example z-scores, t-tests and regression and be provided with the understanding and application of the mathematics and formulas behind the analysis, and how to deliver well presented insight that a business can really use. Along with technologies essential to data analysis, we also teach you how to create local, virtual or cloud based sandboxes and other environments that enable them to visualise and operationalise data. The training provider will also embed teamwork, process, project management and a good grounding in legal and ethical considerations to ensure apprentices are well rounded.
As part of the role, you will receive all the required training to be a supply trained supply chain data analyst.
From day one you will be embedded in a team, solving real world problems. You will get to work and collaborate with people in Caterpillar facilities worldwide.
During this 2-year rotational training programme, you will be given the opportunity to experience different aspects of supply chain, designed to provide you with an excellent foundation in your future.
During the apprenticeship program you will learn how analysis all of the data within the supply chain function to play your part in Perkins building a world class product which is delivered to customers on time and to the correct quality. This will be taught alongside your academic qualification which is a mixture of remote training and classroom based training.
Additionally, you will be involved in the following:
- Creating and managing PowerBI visuals
- Working with leaders to develop insightful KPIs
- Working with SQL coding to analyse data ready for consumption
- Supporting the generation of Supply Chain Metrics management
- Supporting a continuous improvement culture
You must conduct yourself within Caterpillar’s values and behaviours at all times
Health and safety
- Ensure that safe working practices are adhered to
- Raise safety observations as and when required and report any actual injury’s or near miss event
- Ensure that you are aware of the PPE requirements and are utilising this at all times
- Have an awareness of site Health and Safety policies and work in accordance with this, raising instances where these are not being adhered to
- Understand and implement ‘Stop to Fix’ processes
- Ensuring that any equipment used to complete tasks is fit for purpose and adequate risk assessments are in place
Communication and collaboration
- Be able to interact effectively with key support groups and departments in the business
- Prepare and present information to department leaders on work being completed / project plans / progress, as and when required
- Attend all meetings as requested by the training manager and department leaders
- Work collaboratively as part of a wider team
- Understand the department and team metrics
Learning, development and training
- Actively participate in seeking improvement opportunities with the department and presenting these to the department leader
- Complete all work assigned by the training provider by the required deadline
- Complete all work based evidence collection as required by the qualification standard
- Complete and record all ‘Off The Job (OTJ)’ training as required by the qualification standard
- Complete any remedial training that may be prescribed by the training provider (including functional skills and other training requirements)
- Complete any site-specific training as given by the training manager
- Ensure assign tasks are completed within agreed timelines
- Raise any quality issues to department leader and where appropriate take part in the investigation process, so determine route cause
- Support the business where appropriate with any local initiatives or projects
- Take ownership for required learning that you will be assigned
- Actively seek additional learning opportunities, eg, through the Workday learning module
- Maintain good 5s and housekeep standards in own work area