Machining Apprentice

Summary

You will learn alongside experience engineers in all aspects of machining, and eventually specialise in either CNC Milling or CNC Turning. By the end of your apprenticeship you will be programming CNC machines and manufacturing complicated components on a daily basis.

Wage

£16,684.80 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

You will have a wage review every year. You will be included in the profit related bonus scheme after your first year of college has been successfully completed.

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 4.30pm. Friday 7.30am to 1.30pm

40 hours 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

We are looking for a candidate who is enthusiastic about engineering and has an attention to detail. You will learn alongside experience engineers in all aspects of machining, and eventually specialise in either CNC Milling or CNC Turning. By the end of your apprenticeship you will be programming CNC machines and manufacturing complicated components on a daily basis. Your work includes learning all aspects of manufacturing processes at Field Engineering during the early stages of your apprenticeship. The later part of your apprenticeship will be specialising in either CNC Milling or CNC turning machines including programming.

Where you’ll work

8 - 10 Factory Road
Upton Industrial Estate
Poole
Dorset
BH16 5SJ

Training

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

College or training organisation

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, 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

Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/machining-technician-v1-5 Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths as required

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or above)

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

Analytical skills
Attention to detail
Logical
Number skills
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills

Other requirements

You will also be required to apply for and attend an academic interview at Bournemouth and Poole College. https://www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/apprenticeship-machining-technician-level-3

About this company

Field Engineering (Poole) Ltd are a precision engineering company based in Poole. Since 1968 we have developed a range of services and support for our customers to ensure products are completed to the desired specification and on time. Within our 11,000 square foot factory, we provide a comprehensive subcontract engineering service encompassing various specialised areas. Our capabilities include up to 4-axis CNC and manual milling, as well as up to 4-axis CNC and manual turning. We excel in sheet metal and pipework fabrication, alongside the assembly and testing of finished equipment. Our expertise extends to coded welding in both mild steel and stainless steel, catering to projects ranging from prototype work to medium-sized production batches. Additionally, we offer additive manufacturing (3D printing) using PLA and TPU filament, ensuring a wide range of engineering solutions for our clients.

After this apprenticeship

Progression to full-time employment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: