Level 3 Machining Technician Apprentice

WEC GROUP LIMITED

Blackburn (BB1 2JU)

Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 April 2025

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Contents

Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity for motivated and capable CNC Programmers/Operators, that wish to progress within a dynamic and rapidly expanding engineering firm.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 7am to 4pm, Friday 7am to 1pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 10 months

Positions available

4

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

What you will learn:

  • Working within a predominantly medium to high batch machining cell
  • Interpret technical drawings and blueprints to ensure accurate production
  • Expertly program, set-up, and operate CNC machines using one or more of the specified control systems
  • Choose and prepare the right tools and materials for each machining job
  • Vigilantly monitor the CNC machines to guarantee consistent quality in production runs
  • Conduct regular maintenance routines on machinery to ensure optimal performance
  • Collaborate closely with our engineering and production teams, aiming for continuous process improvement
  • Adhere to the highest safety standards and protocols
  • Diagnose and resolve any challenges encountered during the production process
  • Stay updated on advancements in machining techniques and control systems to uphold our industry-leading standards

Knowledge, Skills, Experience:

  • You will learn to program one of the following - Haas, Heidnehain, Mazak, Fanuc or Siemens
  • Highest standards of H&S and Quality is essential
  • Ability to interpret detailed engineering drawings and deliver conforming parts
  • Working with various materials including grade alloys
  • A detailed understanding of engineering drawing, tooling selection, work holding & cutting strategy is essential
  • A good communicator at all levels, with the ability to integrate and support a successful team

Where you’ll work

Premier Way
Walker Road
Walker Park
Blackburn
BB1 2JU

Training

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

College or training organisation

BLACKBURN COLLEGE

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

Machining Technician Level 3.

Training will take place at Blackburn College, once a week:

Blackburn College
Feilden Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB2 1LH

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Mathematics (grade 5)
  • Science (grade 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

  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Health & Safety
  • Time Keeping
  • Keen to learn
  • Working under pressure

About this company

WEC Group Ltd, established for over 40 years and now one of the North West’s leading & multi award winning engineering, fabrication and machining companies, requires experienced CNC Programmers/Operator for their purpose-built facility at the Blackburn site.

http://www.wec-group.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• 25 days holiday per year • Profit share bonus • Company Pension Scheme • Free secure parking

After this apprenticeship

A full-time job and progression within the company.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BLACKBURN COLLEGE

Apprenticeships Team

apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk

01254 292500

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314052.

Apply now

Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 30 April 2025 at 11:59pm)

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