Engineering Apprentice (Level 3 Machining Technician)

PRECI-SPARK LIMITED

Loughborough (LE11 1EH)

Closes in 12 days (Friday 2 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 April 2025

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Summary

Are you looking to develop your career in Engineering? Preci-Spark is offering multiple engineering apprenticeships to people who are ambitious, keen to learn, motivated and ready to succeed in a competitive world. This is achieved through structured development-based training and work experience in multiple areas.

Wage

£16,354 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Under 18: £16,354 p/a 18-20: £19,240 p/a 21 plus: £23,492 p/a Salary rises based on good attendance, timekeeping and performance. Eligible for a monthly bonus based on company performance. Wage reviewed at least annually, based on performance.

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 7:45am - 4:30pm and Friday 7:45am - 11:45am

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

4 years

Positions available

6

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

  • Follow Health and Safety Procedures
  • Inspection and calibration (including CMM and OGP)
  • Interpreting technical drawings
  • CNC Milling
  • CNC Turning
  • CNC Grinding
  • CO2 Lasers
  • Manual Turning
  • Tool Making


Preci-Spark clearly understands that whilst investment in new technology is important, investment in people is essential and prides itself in its commitment to its employees.

Throughout its history Preci-Spark has benefited from 82 employees exceeding 25 years’ service to the company. Over the years we have had 130 apprentices complete their apprenticeships, many of whom are in managerial, supervisory or skilled positions. To date we have trained over 450 people and now it could be your turn!

Where you’ll work

Falcon Street
Loughborough
LE11 1EH

Training

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

College or training organisation

LOUGHBOROUGH 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

  • Level 3 Machining Technician apprenticeship standard
  • Apprentices attend Loughborough College 1 day per week during term time to study embedded qualification.
  • Dedicated trainer/assessor to visit the apprentice(s) in the workplace.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 5 subjects including Maths, English and Science (grade C / 4 or equivalent)

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
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Please note that you will also be required to travel to other Preci-Spark sites such as Coalville and Syston during the Apprenticeship. Additional training to take place at Loughborough College to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours in accordance with this Apprenticeship. Please ensure you are able to travel before applying. Loughborough College reserves the right to withdraw this vacancy before the end date, following consultation with us.

About this company

Preci-Spark is a leading European contract manufacturer for the high technology industries delivering manufacturing solutions to the global marketplace. Established in 1960, the company employs 490 people across 6 manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom.

https://preci-spark.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 days holiday rising to 26 after 2 years service (+ bank holidays), variety of shift patterns, pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, discounted gym membership, gift cards, shopping vouchers, access to private GP scheme.

After this apprenticeship

Over the years we have had 130 apprentices complete their apprenticeships, many of whom are in managerial, supervisory or skilled positions.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Recruitment Team (Loughborough College)

Apprenticeships@loucoll.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000312794.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Friday 2 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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