25-0046 Manual/CNC Machinist Apprentice

WEST SPECIAL FASTENERS LTD

South Yorkshire, S75 2BY

Closes on Thursday 31 July

Posted on 13 January 2025


Summary

West Special Fasteners are looking for a Manual/CNC machinist apprentice to complete a Level 3 machinist technician apprenticeship and join their team. The candidate will operate a variety of machines to perform assigned tasks. They will produce or repair precision parts using both manual and automated equipment and accurate measurements.

Annual wage
£16,224 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
You will work Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times including your shift pattern will be determined by the employing company.

39 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 8 September

Duration

3 years 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Role & responsibilities:

  • Review samples, drawings or instructions to understand specifications of output
  • Plan the sequence of necessary actions for the completion of a job
  • Select appropriate machines (e.g. lathes) and position, or load material, for a job
  • Determine and program the size of batches, speed of machine, etc
  • Monitor machine while working to adjust the feed, maintain temperature and identify issues
  • Check output to ensure consistency with specifications and discard defects
  • Keep records of approved and defective units or final products
  • Perform routine machine maintenance and repair minor damages
  • You will produce precision parts using manual and automated machines
  • Use of ERP system to record completed processes

A machinist must be proficient in all aspects of CNC machining, including milling, turning, close-tolerance manufacturing and more. Proficiency in CAD software would be a great advantage. A machinist must also possess excellent attention to minute details, especially when taking measurements before beginning work.

Where you’ll work

Po Box 8

Johnson Street

South Yorkshire

S75 2BY

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

Your training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Comply with statutory health and safety regulations and procedures.
  • Comply with environmental, ethical and sustainability regulations and procedures: safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials and efficient use of resources.
  • Prepare and set up conventional or CNC machines.
  • Operate and adjust conventional or CNC machines.
  • Apply risk assessment and hazard identification processes and procedures in the work area.
  • Monitor, obtain and check stock and supplies, and complete stock returns.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Read and interpret information. For example, data and documentation used to produce machined components.
  • Apply engineering, mathematical and scientific principles.
  • Plan and organise own work and resources.
  • Follow and apply inspection, quality assurance procedures and processes.
  • Select machining process.
  • Select and setup tooling and work holding devices.
  • Set and adjust machine operating parameters. For example, setting feeds and speeds for roughing and finishing operations, loading, proving and validating programs when using a CNC machine tool.
  • Apply machining operations and techniques to produce complex components with features. For example, parallel; stepped; angular diameters and faces; grooves; slots; recesses and undercuts; radii and chamfers; internal and external forms and profiles; reamed; bored; drilled and electro eroded holes; internal and external screw threads.
  • Measure and check components.
  • Select and check condition of tools and equipment. Identify issues, resolve and take action as needed.
  • Identify and action issues in the manufacturing process.
  • Apply fault-finding and diagnostic testing procedures to identify faults. Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
  • Maintain the work area and return any resources and consumables.
  • Communicate with others verbally. For example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, handover, start up or warm up procedures. Escalate issues.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
  • Apply ethical principles.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Comply with statutory health and safety regulations and procedures.
  • Comply with environmental, ethical and sustainability regulations and procedures: safe disposal of waste, re-cycling or re-use of materials and efficient use of resources.
  • Prepare and set up conventional or CNC machines.
  • Operate and adjust conventional or CNC machines.
  • Apply risk assessment and hazard identification processes and procedures in the work area.
  • Monitor, obtain and check stock and supplies, and complete stock returns.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Read and interpret information. For example, data and documentation used to produce machined components.
  • Apply engineering, mathematical and scientific principles.
  • Plan and organise own work and resources.
  • Follow and apply inspection, quality assurance procedures and processes.
  • Select machining process.
  • Select and setup tooling and work holding devices.
  • Set and adjust machine operating parameters. For example, setting feeds and speeds for roughing and finishing operations, loading, proving and validating programs when using a CNC machine tool.
  • Apply machining operations and techniques to produce complex components with features. For example, parallel; stepped; angular diameters and faces; grooves; slots; recesses and undercuts; radii and chamfers; internal and external forms and profiles; reamed; bored; drilled and electro eroded holes; internal and external screw threads.
  • Measure and check components.
  • Select and check condition of tools and equipment. Identify issues, resolve and take action as needed.
  • Identify and action issues in the manufacturing process.
  • Apply fault-finding and diagnostic testing procedures to identify faults. Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
  • Maintain the work area and return any resources and consumables.
  • Communicate with others verbally. For example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, handover, start up or warm up procedures. Escalate issues.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
  • Apply ethical principles.
  • Apply team working principles.

Your training plan

You will study on a Level 3 Machining technician apprenticeship. On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Level 3 standard.

During the first year of the apprenticeship, your learning will take place at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre based at Catcliffe, Rotherham, for an initial block of study on a full-time basis. After this, you will attend the Training Centre for one day a week for knowledge study.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills

About this company

West Special Fasteners are manufacturers of stainless steel and nickel alloy special fasteners. Established in 1999, West Special Fasteners has grown into one of the most respected hot forgers and producers of high integrity fasteners in the United Kingdom. Our facilities combine the latest in induction hot forging machinery with CNC precision, and automatic and manual lathes. Our employees are skilled and have experience at the highest levels.

After this apprenticeship

Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world. These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

AMRC Training Centre Recruitment Team

recruitment@amrctraining.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000295927.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Please follow the link to apply on the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre website and complete an application form. Once this has been received, it will be reviewed, and you will receive an email response with the next steps of the application process. Please note the AMRC Training Centre reserves the right to close company vacancies, should they get filled, ahead of the published closing date.