Full Job Description
Cogent Skills is working with Accord Healthcare Ltd to recruit Apprentice Multi-Skilled Engineers to work at its site in Fawdon. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Engineering Team of one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the world, with excellent career and personal development opportunities.
Qualification Requirements
Minimum 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade 4 or above, including English and mathematics.
(Those who have completed a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering or similar will not be considered)
Salary - £20,576.46 per annum
Apprentices will receive annual wage increments of around £4,000 p.a. from Year 2 to Year 4.
Apprentices will receive a shift allowance when they begin working a rotating 2 shift pattern from Year 2 (currently £3,703.76 p.a.) which is 15% of salary.
The earnings potential for a qualified Multi-Skilled Engineer is currently around £41,000 p.a. (plus shift allowance)
Benefits
- Holiday Allowance - 25 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
- Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
- Discount schemes
- Eyecare
- Employee assistance programme
- Onsite parking
- Onsite canteen
- Paid sick leave
- Employee recognition / awards
- Away days / company parties
Location - Accord Healthcare Ltd., Fawdon Manufacturing Centre, Edgefield Avenue, Fawdon, NE3 3NB
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 5 days per week (includes 1 day release for college when required).
37.5 per week in year 1, rising to 40 per week when on shifts. 1-hour unpaid daily lunch break for dayshift, 30 min unpaid lunch break during shifts
Year 1: core working hours are 08:00 – 16:30, totalling 37.5 hours per week
From Year 2: You may be required to work a double day shift pattern:
Early shift: 06:00 – 14:15
Late shift: 14:00 – 22:15
Totalling 40 hours per week.
Future years may involve night shifts and weekend work, depending on business needs.
Duration - 42 months
Start Date - September 2025
Interview Date - Week commencing 09/06/2025
Closing Date for Applications - 29th May 2025
To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on [email protected] for assistance
Next Steps
Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.
The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager along with your application form to decide who is brought through to the final interview.
Job Description
As a Multiskilled Engineer (Mechanical & Electrical) Apprentice, you will play a vital role within our Facilities and Production team, to ensure that our manufacturing operations run smoothly and efficiently, maintaining the highest pharmaceutical standards across all our systems and processes.
The Apprentices will follow the Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard, which will combine on-job practical learning with classroom-based learning at Newcastle College. The successful candidates will be employed by Cogent Skills Services Ltd but will undertake all on-job learning with Accord Healthcare Ltd.
As a Multiskilled Engineering Technician, you'll develop the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to work across a variety of complex systems and equipment
Job Responsibilities
Under the guidance of experienced engineers, your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
Installing, maintaining, and repairing:
- Pharmaceutical high-speed packaging line machinery.
- Manufacturing equipment used in production.
- Critical utility systems such as industrial steam boilers, HVAC systems, chilled water plants, and purified water systems.
Performing calibration and diagnostics on instrumentation and systems, including:
- Building Management Systems (BMS)
- Environmental Monitoring Systems (EMS)
Supporting operational teams with:
- Diagnosing and resolving equipment issues to minimize downtime.
- Ensuring all machinery and systems are safe and compliant with Health & Safety regulations.
- Installing and commissioning new production and facilities equipment.
This is an exciting time, and a fantastic opportunity, to embark on a hands-on career with Accord Healthcare Ltd., a leading global company within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Candidate Requirements
We’re seeking motivated applicants who want to build a career in engineering and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be:
- A strong team player, with an open and clear communication style
- Able to build positive relationships with colleagues across the business
- Practical and hands-on, with a methodical and safety-conscious approach
- Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on quality and accuracy
- A logical problem-solver, who enjoys working with equipment and tools
- Eager to learn and develop, with a flexible, can-do attitude
Training To Be Delivered
Qualification to be delivered: Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Apprenticeship Standard: Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician
Training Provider: Newcastle College
Delivery model: Day release- weekly, face to face, at Newcastle College plus onsite support from Skills Advisor
Future Prospects
This role is part of our talent planning for the future and, for the right people, we are looking to continue to develop the Apprentices upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.
Our business is growing, is fast paced and evolving, so there may be the opportunity to gain permanent employment in the team, subject to performance, successful completion of the apprenticeship, and a role being available.
Completion of this apprenticeship provides potential to progress to higher education (HNC, HND, Foundation Degree)
Things To Be Considered
Cogent Skills is managing the recruitment process in partnership with Accord Healthcare Ltd. To ensure fairness and equality of opportunity all applications must be made by completing the application on the Cogent Skills Apprenticeship portal.
The successful candidate will be employed by Cogent Skills Services Ltd but will undertake all on-job learning with Accord Healthcare Ltd. at its manufacturing site in Fawdon.
Please ensure that you currently live within, or can relocate to, a commutable distance of the site.
Please note that these roles will involve working in a sterile pharmaceutical environment.
About Accord Healthcare Ltd
Accord Healthcare is a global pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and distributes generic, biosimilar and added-value medicines in over 85 countries worldwide, helping to improve access for patients to essential pharmaceutical care at the point of need.
Accord's portfolio spans across critical therapeutic fields such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, diabetes, pain management and gastroenterology
As one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the world, we're always looking for the best and brightest technical minds and forward-thinking business professionals to join our dynamic departments and make a difference.
Our employees foster our enduring reputation for quality and integrity, supporting our primary goal of helping to ensure patients receive the medicines they need, when they need them, with patient well-being at the centre of everything we do.
We believe in creating a culture that ‘achieves’. To support this, we are looking to build an inclusive company that attracts and retains key talent by investing in training and development, tailored to an individual’s needs.
From Scientific Affairs, Engineering and Quality, to Supply Chain, Finance and Commercial, there are certainly lots of opportunities to explore - all with the ultimate focus of improving patient care.
It all starts with you…
At Accord, it is recognised that developing the skills and capabilities of employees is essential to achieving organisation goals and every employee receives individual professional development support.
Do you want to join a company that approaches business differently; a company that never settles for the established way of doing things?
