Summary
Do you want to become part of a team and make a difference? This role will give you the opportunity to work with some of the latest and leading technology in Production Manufacturing & CNC Machining. You will be machining and inspecting components that are used in Formula One, Medical, and even components that go up into space!
Wage
£22,172.80 a year
Salary for under 21's: £22,172.80 per year (£10.66 p/h). Salary for over 21's: £25,480.00 per year (£12.25 p/h).
Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 06:30 - 17:00 or 16:30 - 03:00 or Monday to Thursday, 07:00 - 16:30 & Friday 07:00 - 11:00 (department & shift dependent) with a 30 minute unpaid lunch each day.
40 hours 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
Day to day role responsibilities include:
* Assigned to a production Cell of machines to learn how to operate those machines safely, effectively and efficiently, whilst maintaining precision and accuracy (Moving from department to department on a rotational basis).
* To collaborate with your mentor in the monitoring and optimising of the production rate and running times of machines in the Cell to achieve scheduled delivery dates.
* Be responsible for producing consistent quality across each and every machine in their care.
* To learn and assist in carrying out routine maintenance within their capability level or in the of case of difficulty or anticipated delay, advise the Senior Setter/Team Leader.
* To clean and deburr parts where necessary, boxing and packaging components when required.
* To carries out additional duties as requested by Mentor, Senior Setter(s) or Team Leader(s).
* To undertake work-based learning assignments with support of NVQ assessor and Mentor.
Where you’ll work
FORD RD
CLACTON ON SEA
ESSEX
CO15 3DZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
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
* The apprentice will be working towards the Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard
* Qualifications include: EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (Development Competence), EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence) and EAL Level 3 Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge)
* This is a 4 year apprenticeship with college attendance required one day per week
* College attendance will be at our Colchester Institute - Braintree Campus
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* 4 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4)
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
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Physical fitness
* Methodical method of approach
Other requirements
-Working in a fast-paced factory environment. -Shift rotation and cover may be required from time to time. -Frequent manual handling or use of assisted lifting equipment.