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Apprentice Machinist (Milling/Turning – Programmer/Setter/Operator)
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CNC Machining Technician Apprenticeship
This is an opportunity to learn all aspects of the CNC machining process, from receiving the material in its raw state, through to a finished component ready for dispatch to the customer. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be coached in all aspects of engineering to become a fully trained engineer and skilled machining technician.
What you'll do at work
- Learn how to check materials to ensure that sufficient raw materials are available and correct, using drawings and technical specifications
- Follow engineering drawings and Standard Operating Procedures
- Use the latest techniques, including applying innovative work holding arrangements utilising specialist tooling
- Learn a range of machining strategies to increase accuracy and productivity
- Learn how to plan how to complete turning operations, programming (or loading) data into CNC lathes, and utilise driven tooling to reduce machining times
- Learn how to plan how to complete milling operations, programming (or loading) data into CNC Mills using fixtures and vices
- Learn to adjust a range of machining parameters to maximise machining outcomes
- Produce products with a high degree of accuracy and finish, ensuring quality standards are achieved
- Learn how to use conventional mechanical measuring equipment, including Vernier’s, micrometres, and slips
- Learn how to use specialist inspection and test equipment
Where you'll work
23-24 RAVENSTONE RD IND EST
SNIBSTON DRIVE
COALVILLE
LEICESTERSHIRE
LE67 3NQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
- Training provider: LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE
- Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
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.
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Training schedule
Primarily based in the workplace, with attendance at Loughborough College one day per week, term time only
- Diarised visits from a dedicated Trainer/Assessor
- On-the-job training
- Off-the-job training
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Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: 5 subjects including Maths, English and Science (grade C/4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
We are looking for someone with a desire to learn the trade, who is inquisitive and wants to learn. Ask questions at work as we are keen to further develop your learning with us!
NS Engineering is a subcontract engineering company that services mainly the construction industry, rail network and rock crusher spares. We offer both precision and general purpose machining through a wide range of machinery operated by highly-skilled and experienced staff.
We offer CNC turning on lathes capable of producing components up to 900mm in diameter and 3100mm long. All our CNC lathes have the Fanuc control operating system, helping reliability & flexibility on the production line.
We also offer CNC milling which can produce components up to 3.6 metres by 1 metre by 1.1 metre in size. https://www.nsengineering.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 258 hours per year, annual leave entitlement. (Based on 12 months from 1st April till 31st March)
- All workwear and PPE provided
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
A permanent role within the company following successful completion of the apprenticeship
Further education opportunities considered, dependant on qualifications gained
Contact
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
- LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE
- Loughborough College Group Apprenticeship Recruitment
- apprenticeships@loucoll.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045835.
Closes in 11 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm) Sign in or create an account
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