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Apprentice Milling CNC Operator/Setter
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About the Role
We are a friendly, supportive team recruiting a Level 3 Engineering Apprentice starting Sept 26. You'll receive full training in CNC machining, learning to manufacture precision components while gaining practical experience, attending college, and building a rewarding engineering career.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What You'll Do at Work
- Setting CNC Machines
- Machine adjustments, tool changes, and offsets
- Loading and unloading CNC machines to produce parts
- Cleaning and packing of completed parts
- Machining components to conform to customer drawings
- Monitor machine operations and quality of output, making corrections when needed; adhering to in cycle measuring
- Deburring
- Inspection and measuring using calipers, micrometers, and other precision tools
- Routine maintenance and general workshop cleanliness
- In time, exposure to CAD CAM programming
- Follow company quality procedures and health and safety policies at all times
Where You'll Work
UNIT 44
ELDON WAY
PADDOCK WOOD
TONBRIDGE
TN12 6BE
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
MID-KENT COLLEGE
Training Course
Machining technician (level 3)
What You'll Learn
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.
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Training Schedule
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Training will be carried out at our Paddock Wood site by experienced and knowledgeable staff. This role will be 5 days per week.
- 4 days will be spent in the factory
- 1 day will be spent at college
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4/C)
- Mathematics (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Other Requirements
- You will require a pair of steel toe cap boots or shoes to work on our shop floor
- We do not allow shorts to be worn in the factory at any time
- Hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves and all other PPE required for this role will be provided
- This is a manual role; there will be long periods of standing and a requirement for manual handling of small boxes of metal or plastic components
- This role can be repetitive, especially in the early learning stages, or when the machine is on a long running job
- As this is a manufacturing environment we do have a reasonably high level of risk. Risks come from operating the machines, sharp objects and swarf, airlines, lifting boxes and moving parts, chemicals and sharp tooling
About the Company
Based in Paddock Wood, Kent, G&J CNC Services has been delivering high-quality, precision engineered components since 1987, building a reputation for reliable, flexible and efficient manufacturing. We utilise our extensive range of modern CNC machines to produce both metallic and plastic components, from one-off prototypes to high-volume production runs.
With the capability to manufacture up to 10,000 components per week, we continuously refine our processes to maximise efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness for every project. Our investment in state-of-the-art machining technology ensures that all components meet stringent quality standards, with a focus on accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.
G&J CNC Services Limited is part of the CTN Group of companies, founded in 2013. CTN Group consists of five CNC engineering companies located in Tonbridge, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Southampton and Norwich. The group operates more than 100 CNC machines from leading machine tool manufacturers.
Company Benefits
- This role is Monday to Friday
- There is onsite parking
- Uniform provided
- Company pension- scheme subject to eligibility
- Annual Performance Reviews
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay here.
On completion of the training, progression to Programmer level may be possible, supported by additional training and experience
Contact Information
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MID-KENT COLLEGE
MidKent College Apprenticeship Recruitment
apprenticeshiprecruitment@midkent.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046665.
Closes in 18 days (Friday 28 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
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