Machining Technician Apprenticeship

Summary

As a Machine Technician Apprentice, you will support the Machine Shop operation to provide precision machined components for production and Engineering use. Thorlabs is a global optical technologies company with expertise in the design and manufacture of photonics products for manufacturing and research.

Wage

£16,477.50 a year

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Salary reviewed at the end of each year.

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:30.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

To train in all aspects of the machine shop environment including all aspects of CNC machinery including Lathes and Milling Centres.
Using Metrology equipment.
Learning to use 3D CAD/CAM software.
Learning to creating CAD drawings and managing the CAD database
Basic maintenance of machine tools and housekeeping.
Learn to set, operate and program a variety of high precision 3, 4 and 5-axis machines.
Carrying out day-to-day tasks of the machine shop as appropriate
Working to the machines job schedules
Set up jigs and operate various CNC machines including but not limited to CNC milling centres and CNC lathes.
Support production needs for precision in-house machined components adhering to drawing tolerances and specifications and within the required timescales.
Assist CNC Programmers to produce prototype components for the Engineering teams as required, utilising the most appropriate CNC or manual machine.
Ensure that all machining activities are carried out in accordance with the company’s safe working practices and environmental requirements.
Support the team with process improvement initiatives for the various CNC machines and areas of responsibility.
Gain experience in manual machining and then progressing onto CNC machining, including turning and milling Operating manual Lathes and Mill.
Comply with health and safety procedures and ensure work meets company quality standards.
Undertaking any other duties which might reasonably be requested in association with this role in order to meet the needs of the business.

Where you’ll work

204 Lancaster Way Business Park
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB6 3NX

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

You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills via Cambridge Regional College days and a work mentor as Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

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
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

We need you to be a clear communicator and work well as part of a team, to be receptive to new challenges and come up with new ideas. Shop floor, factory environment and working in an office environment. H&S will have to be maintained at all times.

About this company

Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. We invest and are involved in the latest technologies, operate in the constant pursuit of quality, and provide exciting growth and development opportunities, making this the perfect environment for those passionate about engineering.

Company benefits

Benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday + public holidays. Free drink refreshments. Stocked vending machines (to purchase from) An entertainment area - including a pool table, table football, air hockey and table tennis.

After this apprenticeship

To be come a Machine Technician leading on to Senior Machine Technician

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

Camilla

01223 418778

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000311920.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Friday 16 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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