Fenestration fabricator
Level 2 · IntermediateEngineering and manufacturing 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Fenestration Fabricator apprenticeship trains you to manufacture windows, doors, and other glazed units from materials such as uPVC, aluminium, or timber, using cutting and welding machinery in a factory or workshop setting. You will work to precise measurements to produce high-quality, weatherproof products. This standard leads to roles in quality control, production supervision, or installation within the windows and doors industry.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Materials used in fenestration - uPVC, aluminium, and timber
Safe use of cutting, welding, and fabrication machinery
Reading and working to technical drawings and tolerances
Quality control and product testing procedures
Health and safety in a fabrication environment
Fitting hardware including hinges, locks, and handles
Glazing and sealed unit installation into frames
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Cut and machine frame profiles to precise measurements
Weld or join frame sections using correct techniques
Fit hardware including locks, hinges, and letterboxes
Glaze units and check for correct sealing
Carry out quality checks on finished products
Maintain fabrication machinery and tools
Follow production schedules and work instructions
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.