Find an apprenticeship
Mechanical Engineer Apprentice
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About the Role
We are looking for an apprentice to join our team where they will receive both college and in-house training from our highly skilled personnel. They will learn how to operate both manual and CNC machines, whilst acquiring a variety of other skills involved within the manufacturing industry.
Wage
- £17,888 a year
- Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
- Overtime available at 1.33 x standard rate.
Training Course
- Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
- Monday - Friday 8.00am - 4.30pm with a half hour break each day from 1.00pm - 1.30pm.
- 40 hours a week
Start Date
- Monday 7 September 2026
Duration
- 3 years 6 months
Positions Available
- 1
What You'll Do at Work
- Operate machines within safety guidelines
- Cleaning and Deburring components
- Carry out basic maintenance of machines including cleaning, filling coolant and oil
- Inspect own work and work to Company instructions and drawings
- Maintain a safe working environment and ensure compliance with health and safety
- Conduct safety checks and performance monitoring for machining, associated equipment and surrounding work area.
- Receive, read and interpret engineering data and documentation, engineering drawings and technical data
- Contribute to or plan the days machining schedule
- Check and inspect materials to be machined to ensure that they conform to quality standards. Identify and report any issues or faults such as incorrect grades, dimensions and thicknesses
- Set up, operate, adjust or edit conventional or CNC machining equipment settings and programmes for the machine tool being used
- Inspect components produced. Adjust the machining equipment or programme and tooling to ensure components meet quality requirements
- Identify, communicate and report issues affecting machining component quality, quantity and deadlines
- Complete machining documentation at all stages of the work activity. For example, standard operational procedures, control documentation and contribution to audits
- Maintain and restore the machining work area, performing housekeeping and waste management as appropriate
- Ensure tools, unused materials and equipment are returned to a safe, clean and approved condition on completion of machining work
- Keep stakeholders for example, colleagues and line managers informed about machining work
- Perform scheduled daily inspection and machine shut down or safe isolation
- Support continuous improvement activity to address business problems
- Boxing and packaging components
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Where You'll Work
- M V P Engineering
- Ferry Quay
- Woodbridge
- IP12 1BW
Training Provider
- COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Training Course
- Machining technician (level 3)
What You'll Learn
- 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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Training Schedule
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).
- City and Guilds Machining technician.
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Machining) (Development Technical Knowledge).
More Training Information
This is a 4 year apprenticeship with college attendance required one day per week. College attendance will be at our Colchester Institute - Braintree Campus.
Essential Qualifications
- GCSE in:
- maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
About This Employer
Combining vast experience in the design and manufacture of CNC machined components and a dedication to customer-oriented solutions, our aim is to deliver innovative solutions that help you to meet and exceed your business goals. MVP Engineering ltd produce high quality components. From materials including Plastic - Bronze - Stainless steel - Duplex - Super duplex - Nickel alloy - Titanium. Components from casting - fabrication - bar - billet. We work together to create innovative solutions which help our customers operate more efficiently and effectively. http://mvpengineering.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company Benefits
Benefits include:
- Company pension scheme.
- On site parking.
- Workwear and protective equipment will be provided.
After This Apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). This is a full-time position with opportunities for career progression. We hope that by giving our apprentices a solid foundation in the industry that they can then go on to become key members of the business, progressing to operating CNC machines.
Ask a Question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
- COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
- Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team
- ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
- 01206712043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000044222.
Apply Now
Closes in 12 days (Saturday 29 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Sign in or create an account
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills