INNOVATING SINCE 1963
MACHINE SELECTOR
Apprenticeships
Want to earn and learn at the same time?
An apprenticeship will allow you to do this. It combines on-the-job training with studying for vocational and academic qualifications, even up to degree level.
Join us as an apprentice and you’ll be taking the first step on a scheme that will give you nationally-accredited qualifications, along with a range of other transferable skills that will give you a solid platform for wherever your working life takes you.
You will be supported during your apprenticeship and encouraged to take on varied tasks and pick up new skills, giving you the opportunity to prove yourself.
Our apprenticeships take between three and four years to complete. You will combine hands-on work alongside your studies at a local college. Your training will normally be delivered in partnership with local training providers and will meet National Occupational Standards under the Modern Apprenticeship Framework.
This has three key parts:
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Core/key skills: You’ll need to be able to use IT equipment, communicate and use numbers. (You may not need this training if you already have similar qualifications.)
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Education: It’s vital that you have a good understanding of general engineering theory, so you’ll be given academic instruction relevant to your trade. Working towards a National Certificate, you’ll be taught on day release.
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Vocational learning: Our apprenticeships give you the practical skills you need to reach NVQ Level 3.
We offer apprenticeships in the following areas:
- Mechanical Design Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Electrical Assembly
- Mechanical Assembly
- Manufacturing
- Fabrication and Welding
and occasionally in
- Information Technology
- Business Administration
- Human Resource Administration
Our apprenticeships offer the perfect opportunity to get ahead and begin a promising career at Packaging Automation.
Make the most of what you can be
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We’ll help you develop your career and yourself.
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Wherever you work at PA we offer an accredited training programme to take your career in the direction you want to go.
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During your apprenticeship, we’ll help you develop as part of a team and learn the leadership skills you’ll need if you intend to go into a supervisory role.
Continuous development
We’ll support your learning and follow your progression throughout your apprenticeship. You may even be offered the opportunity of a sponsored HNC, HND, a full degree or other relevant professional qualifications if you show the abilities needed to succeed.
It’s a path followed by several of our team leaders and managers, who began as Packaging Automation apprentices.
Application requirements? What do I need?
We're looking for career minded, enthusiastic, inquisitive students who want to make a success.
For our advanced apprenticeships students should have or expect to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above including Maths, English and Science.
How do I apply and what happens next?
Apprenticeship recruitment for 2023 is now open - please download the application form here
If you think you're suitable, contact Dorothy Wainscott, dorothy.wainscott@pal.co.uk
Once you've applied for one of our roles online, be prepared for:
1. Application screening
You'll have completed an application form which is then screened by the HR Team.
2. First Interview
If your application passes screening you will be invited to attend a face to face interview. This will enable us to get to know you, your ambitions and to see if you meet our requirements and whether you will fit with our team.
3. Assessment centre
If you're successful, you'll be invited to an assessment centre which usually includes a second interview, group and individual exercises and a tour of the workplace.
During the process, we're looking at your overall skills, personal qualities and personality. We want to see the real you throughout the selection process so just be yourself. Remember, this is an opportunity for you to get to know us, as well as allowing us to get to know you.
Rewards and benefits
We offer an attractive benefits package which includes:
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You’ll get competitive rates of pay and be rewarded for progressing to new levels of competency, and for good conduct, with regular pay increases. Once you qualify, you should be paid normal craft rates
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Starting from 20 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays and increasing with length of service
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PA Perks at Work - giving you discounts on cinema tickets, shopping, eating out, theme parks and many more discounts on goods and services
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Worthwhile pension scheme
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Tailored personal development and on-the-job training
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Cycle to work Scheme
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Uniform provided
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Opportunity to do a volunteer day at a local charity
All our Apprenticeships guarantee you a good salary, recognised academic or vocational qualifications, hands-on training, and real work where you can make a valued contribution. With an average of 10 apprentices in our business at any time, you’ll be joining others who could become great colleagues and friends for life.
See our career path charts for more information about the opportunities available for those who have successfully completed their apprenticeships at Packaging Automation.
What our apprentices past and present have to say about their experience at PA:
Our National Apprentice of the Year Winner, Christopher – “My message to other young people is don’t be deterred. My Dad didn’t really want me to become an apprentice because he felt university was the best option. If you are willing to commit and work hard you can get where you want to be.”
Whilst working, Chris has completed an HNC in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering with distinction and, with PA sponsorship, he has just gained a First Class Honours Degree in the same subject from Manchester Metropolitan University.
James won the Best Apprentice in Cheshire and Warrington in the apprenticeship category at The High Sheriff's Awards for Enterprise.
Speaking after the event James said “It feels amazing to win, I never thought 4 years ago when I joined that I would be shortlisted for an award like this never mind to win. PA has given me a great opportunity and I can’t thank them
enough. The team on the shop floor have given me so much support and I am looking forward to a successful future with PA.”
James has gone on to complete an HNC in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and has now joined our Service team, travelling the UK and overseas to maintain and repair our machinery.
Read about some of our success stories within our apprenticeship scheme below.
2023
Dave Woolrich - Mechanical Fitter
Joe Grant - Mechanical Assembly
Tanya Westenraad - Engineering Design
Greg Simpson - Electrical Engineer
Liam Bateson - Mechanical Fitter
Chris Taylor - Electrical Engineer
