Apprentice electroplater/Anodiser
South West Metal Finishing · Exeter
ManufacturingEmploymentOn-siteProgression
Every engineered component used in an application today has some form of surface treatment, whether it’s for corrosion protection, enhanced electrical conductivity, higher electrical or chemical resistance, lubricity or simply to improve its decorative appeal, all components undergo some form of treatment.
South West Metal Finishing are offering the opportunity to learn the techniques of surface treatment application. Our apprenticeship would teach you the skills of electroplating and anodising. Working on technically challenging precision engineered components used in aerospace, military and general engineering applications.
The training would combine theory and practical elements, comprising of many varied processes including Quality assurance and control, Chemical laboratory analysis, masking and jigging techniques, electrochemical deposition using various metals, anodising methods, conversion coating, masking in preparation for and spray painting of high precision engineering components. Time would be dedicated to building skills in engineering methods and administration, as well as business improvement techniques.
The core apprenticeship would last for 3 years, with the option to continue studying for a further 2 years as part of specialising in a particulate discipline of surface treatment engineering.
- Full training and support will be given in all processes.
- Opportunity to learn skills in different areas of the factory
- Transferrable knowledge and experience
- NVQ opportunities
- Loading components on to jig fixtures
- Loading and unloading loaded jigs in to acid, alkaline and plating chemical solutions.
- Setting temperature, voltage and current controls
- Masking off areas that don’t require plating, using masking agents, bungs and tapes
- Dipping or brushing products with chemical solutions
- Monitoring of electroplating process
- Carry out basic quality checks · De-jigging components from jigging assemblies
- Removing of masking agents using mechanical and chemical methods
- Transferring newly coated items to finishing or storage area
- Ensuring that work is undertaken in compliance with regulations, manuals and company policy.
- Ensuring compliance to Health, Safety and Environmental policies and report any concern to supervision
- Report any maintenance issues to maintenance and production supervision.
- Attend daily team brief at production planning board, talk through the day’s plan and any issues that could jeopardised the plan with your team leader
- Liaise with the laboratory and quality on issues that could affect the running of the process.
- Ensure area is kept to clean and any 5S actions and Audit are actioned
Apprenticeship program will consist of spending time in the following departments.
- Working on the shop floor in the masking, Jigging and plating areas
- Working in the laboratory, analysis of chemical, both qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques
- Working in Engineering to understand the technical methods and applications. Working alongside experience engineers to investigate methods of masking and jigging technical advanced parts. Gain an understanding of NPI (New Product Introduction) methods
- Working at the paint facility to learn paint application methods and systems, masking and tooling techniques.
- Working in quality dept to understand quality control and assurance systems in line with ISO standards, customer specifications and NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program) requirements.
- Working in the goods inwards/outwards, customer booking and order processing departments, gaining experience in the customer services department.
Perks & benefits
Paid Time Off Professional Development
Skills required
Hardworking, enthusiastic, enquiring mind. Good team worker. Good communication skills.
Qualifications required
Four GCSE’s grade B/6-5 or above, including Maths and English
Future prospects
Very good opportunities for upskilling in different areas of the factory. Opportunities to progress within the business, both technically and supervisory
The essentials
Hours, commitment and the dates that matter.
Hours
38 hours per week
Roles available
6
Posted
28 May 2026
Starts
Flexible
Apply by
10 Aug 2026
Training provider
Exeter College
Delivers the training for this role and manages your application.
Where you'd be based
EX2 8TJ© OpenStreetMap contributors
