Apprentice Engineer Programme 2026 (Register Your Interest)

Kion Group; Exeter; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering leader is offering an apprenticeship program in Exeter for aspiring engineers. Participants will integrate college education with hands-on experience, learning KION's core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence. Candidates ideally should have GCSEs in Maths and English, alongside a keen interest in engineering and technology. This is a great opportunity to kickstart your engineering career with practical training and professional development.

Qualifications

• Ideally holding a GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths and English (predicted grades if undertaking GCSE’s) or a National 5 in Scotland.
• Have an interest in engineering and technology.

Responsibilities

• Consistently uphold and represent the KION brand.
• Demonstrate the KION values of Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety policies.
• Engage in all SMB College training blocks, encompassing academic and practical components.
• Actively contribute to workplace tasks while learning from engineering mentors.

Skills

Interest in engineering

Communication skills

Education

GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths and English

Job description

Join the STILL Apprenticeship Programme! Are you ready to kickstart your engineering career with a global leader? The STILL Apprenticeship Programme is your gateway to becoming a top-tier engineer, equipped to meet the growing demand for workshop, field, and site-based roles.

Who are we?

STILL is one of the leading suppliers of forklift trucks, platform trucks and tractors plus the latest Intralogistics systems. With around 8,900 employees, 6 production plants, 14 branches in Germany, 21 subsidiary companies abroad, plus a dealer network consisting of 240 dealers worldwide, STILL is successfully active on an international scale. With the highest quality, reliability and innovative technology, STILL is meeting, today and in the future, the requirements of small, medium and large companies.

STILL is part of the KION Group, which is the largest manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse trucks in Europe, measured by units. Within the KION Group, we are helping to shape the future together with our strong brands Linde, STILL and Dematic and represent the very best our industry has to offer. The KION Group is a global enterprise made up of more than 42,000 employees in more than 100 countries.

Our culture is shaped by the shared values of the KION Group: integrity, collaboration, courage, and excellence.

STILL are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

What is an apprenticeship?

The Apprenticeship Programme at STILL is designed to cultivate top-tier engineers who can meet the growing demand for workshop, field, and site-based roles. As an apprentice, you’ll embark on a journey to become a fully proficient STILL Engineer. This involves embodying our core values of Integrity, Courage, Excellence, and Collaboration. You’ll integrate your college education with hands‑on experience, showcasing your skills to your mentor, Apprentice Development Officer, and college training team. Ultimately, you’ll be equipped to deliver the right solutions to our customers, ensuring their needs are met with precision and expertise.

An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme, where you earn while you learn. It builds industry-specific knowledge, skills, and behaviours through on and off the job training to make sure you are competent in your role. An end-point assessment ensures competency. All apprentices must achieve Functional Skills in Maths and English, if not already held.

We have partnered with SMB College to deliver the 3-year Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3).

Over the three years, apprentices spend a target 24 weeks in training (excluding end point assessment) at SMB College in Leicester. This training is arranged into two-week blocks, Monday to Friday. Applicants must be willing and able to travel to complete their college study.

Progression routes could include qualified engineer, technical or specialist roles.

Tasks and Qualifications

Practical training

Training is made up of on-the-job and off-the-job training. 80% of the apprenticeship will be spent working with your employer. 20% of the time will be allocated to off-the-job training: this will be a mixture of college blocks, internal training, assignments and revision.

Main Duties and Accountabilities

• Brand Representation & Professionalism: Consistently uphold and represent the KION brand with professionalism in both workplace settings and training environments.
• KION Core Values: Demonstrate and promote the KION values of Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence in all activities.
• Health & Safety: Adhere to all company Health & Safety policies, ensuring compliance in every activity.
• Training & Development
  • Actively engage in all SMB College (Coalville) training blocks, encompassing both academic and practical components.
  • Successfully pass all end‑of‑block assessments.
  • Keep accurate records of off‑the‑job training hours as required by SMB College.
  • Compile and present evidence of your knowledge, skills, and behaviours, following SMB College guidance.
  • Proactively manage your personal and professional developmentli>
• Internal Training
  • Participate in all mandatory internal product and systems training, delivered both online and in‑person.
  • Complete all Technical Training Competency Assessments to the expected standard.
• Workplace Responsibilities
  • Actively contribute to workplace tasks while learning from engineering mentors.
  • Consistently deliver excellent customer service.
  • Maintain professional communication with KION staff, customers, and suppliers.
• Benchmarking
  • Actively participate in development and progression reviews with your Apprenticeship Development Officer.
  • Engage in regular progression reviews with SMB College.

Required functional competencies / experience / qualifications

• Ideally holding a GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths and English (predicted grades if undertaking GCSE’s) or a National 5 in Scotland.
• Have an interest in engineering and technology.