Apprentice Machining Technician

Summary

The successful candidate will gain understanding of: •High precision lathes & producing tooling to fine tolerances •Measuring tooling using microscopes & non-contact interferometry •Programming, setting & producing precision parts on CNC lathes & mills •Manual milling & centre lathe machining •Use of AutoCad, SolidWorks & 3D printer And more

Wage

£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Flexitime 7/10am to 3/6pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Measuring optical tooling using microscopes and non-contact interferometry
Programming, setting, and producing precision parts on Mazak CNC lathe and Imes-Icore 5 axis mill
Manual milling and centre lathe machining and general use of hand tools in machine shop for tool making
Use of AutoCad, SolidWorks and 3D printer

Where you’ll work

36 School Lane
Chandlers Ford Industrial Estate
Eastleigh
SO53 4LY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)

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

Apprentices will undertake a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard programme (Machining Technician). This will include a full-time period of practical workshop based ‘off-the-job’ training at SETA’s Apprenticeship Centre in Southampton.

You will also undertake a knowledge qualification (depending on your prior attainments) where you will be required to attend SETA one day a week over two academic years.

After your initial training at SETA, you will be with your employer working on developing your skills; ultimately leading to your End Point Assessment.

SETA will make regular visits during this period to ensure you will covering all the required aspects of the Standard, which includes a practical element, a theory test and a professional discussion, regarding the work achieved with your employer.

These final tests are administered by an independent assessment organisation and take place in the last three months of the apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Grade C/4)
Maths (grade C/5)

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

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Number skills

Other requirements

Due to space constraints, parking at SETA is not available for apprentices who drive, instead you will be required to find alternative parking locally. You will need to be able to travel to Millbrook, Southampton for your initial full-time training, whilst your place of work will be on the School Lane Industrial Estate, Chandlers Ford.

About this company

CooperVision®, Inc., a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The company produces a full array of monthly, two-week, and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges, such as astigmatism, presbyopia, and ocular dryness; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focuses practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, thereby creating real advantages for customers and wearers. From our extensive network of facilities in 12 countries across five continents, CooperVision distributes high-quality lenses virtually everywhere contact lenses are worn.

https://coopervision.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You’ll receive a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, healthcare cover, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

After this apprenticeship

On completion of the apprenticeship the successful candidate would hold the title of Optical Toolmaking Specialist. On demonstrating expertise in all aspects of optical insert and support tooling manufacture, the candidate could develop into the Senior Optical Toolmaking Specialist role developing supplier relationships, developing new methods and techniques, leading equipment acquisitions and qualifications and much more besides.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)

Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA)

Recruitment@seta-training.co.uk

023 8077 1908

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000310329.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 31 May 2025

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