Level 3 Mechatronics (maintenance and breakdown) apprenticeship

Introduction

The training will consist of in-house work experience with fully qualified experts and also placements at In-Comm Training to gain essential qualifications and skills to become a fully qualified maintenance tradesman.

You will be assigned an apprenticeship mentor to help guide you through the process.

About the Employer

Wolverhampton Electro Plating Ltd, is a specialist in metal finishing and corrosion protection. It is part of the Anochrome Group, a UK group of surface engineering companies.

Their main activities include:

Applying zinc and zinc-nickel electroplating to metal components.
Zinc flake dip-spin coatings, commonly used on fasteners and automotive parts for high corrosion resistance.
Mechanical plating with zinc, tin-zinc and other specialist coatings.
Applying passivates, sealers and torque-control topcoats to improve durability and performance.
Providing corrosion protection for customers in industries such as automotive, construction, engineering and industrial manufacturing.
The company has been operating under the Wolverhampton Electro Plating (WEP) name for more than 75 years, although the current legal entity (WEP Ltd, company number 15046840) was incorporated in 2023. It trades from the long-established Wolverhampton site on Wood Lane.

In recent years, WEP has invested in new automated production equipment, including:

A fourth robotic dip-spin line to increase coating capacity.
A laser cleaning system for preparing metal parts before coating, reducing the need for chemicals and abrasive blasting.
So, in simple terms, WEP doesn't manufacture parts itself—it coats and protects metal components for other manufacturers, extending their lifespan and helping them meet corrosion-resistance specifications.

WEP works with some of the biggest tier 1 suppliers into OEMs in the automotive, construction, rail, petrochemical, wind energy, highways and commercial vehicle sectors and holds numerous accreditations, including ITAF 16949:2016, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015.

Its industry-leading testing facilities include two salt spray chambers, two torque and tension machines, an X-ray fluorescence machine, various coating thickness measuring devices and access to cyclic corrosion testing.

What You'll Do

• Ensure equipment availability is in line with company targets
• Engage in root cause analysis of repeat / major breakdowns and provide reports with suggested improvements
• Ensure health & safety and environmental procedures are followed during maintenance activities
• Attend training when required and adhere to Anochrome Group standards
• Facilitate the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules and recommend improvements
• Apply 5S methodology in work areas and the wider factory

Training Outcome

Fully qualified maintenance engineer.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Enthusiastic

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - Maths and English - 4 and above
• Essential - GCSE - Science - 4 and above

Course Information

Course: Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)

Level: 3

Route: Engineering and manufacturing

Apprenticeship Level: Advanced

Working Arrangements

Working Week: 08.00-17.00, Monday–Friday. Half an hour unpaid lunch each day.

Expected Duration: 3 Years 6 Months

Training Provider: IN-COMM TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED