Apprentice Mechanical Engineering Technician

Summary

An apprenticeship at PCML will provide hands-on experience in precision engineering and manufacturing. Offering a comprehensive training program, gaining exposure to a variety of engineering processes including CAD design, machining, assembly, and quality control. Working alongside skilled engineers developing expertise in the latest technologies.

Wage

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

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Healthshield Wellbeing Program - Business paid Level 1 cover 25 Days holiday plus bank holidays Enhanced Family Friendly Policies Company Sick Pay

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 07:30 - 16:15 and Friday, 07:30 - 15:00

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

2

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

CNC Machining & Manual Machining - Learning to operate lathes, milling machines, and grinding machines for high-precision work
CAD & Technical Drawings - Interpreting blueprints and possibly assisting in design modifications
Material Handling & Preparation - Cutting, shaping, and selecting the correct metals and alloys
Assembly & Quality Control - Ensuring manufactured parts meet specifications through inspection
Problem-Solving & Troubleshooting - Identifying issues in production and working with engineers to solve them
Safety & Maintenance - Following health and safety protocols, maintaining tools, and keeping the workspace organised
Training & Development - Attending college or in-house training sessions to improve technical knowledge

Where you’ll work

5 Gosforth Close
Sandy
SG19 1RB

Training

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

College or training organisation

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL 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 (A level) Apprenticeship Standard:

The apprentice will learner over the years via Cambridge Regional College and work mentor
Communication & Teamwork - Training on professional communication, working with engineers, supervisors, and customers
Time Management & Productivity - Learning how to work efficiently, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines
Problem - Solving & Continuous Improvement - Training on Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

About this company

Spanning four sites across Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire, PCML are one of the fastest growing precision engineering and manufacturing companies in the UK. Specialising in the design, manufacture and assembly of precision engineered parts, components and devices. The team are all highly skilled, technically focused and experienced engineers with a shared passion for CNC Machining. From start-ups and consultants to large, global giants in the technology, pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries: our customers are increasingly looking for dynamic and flexible supply chains with rapid turnaround and customised specifications. PCML is well positioned to deliver this - leveraging our technology, IT operating platform and automated processes to provide the manufacturing agility that clients require along with rapid turnaround, design and technical input and market leading engineering capabilities.

After this apprenticeship

CAD / CAM Programmer - Specialising in designing components and programming CNC machines
Quality Control Inspector - Focusing on precision measurement and ensuring high-quality manufacturing
Maintenance Engineer - Working on machine servicing, breakdowns, and automation systems
Technical Trainer / Lecturer - Teaching future apprentices in colleges or industry training centres
Self-Employed / Business Owner - Starting your own precision engineering workshop or CNC machining business

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Camilla

01223 418778

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000311906.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Friday 2 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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