26-0009 Apprentice Machinist
STERLING MACHINING LTD
CHESTERFIELD (S43 3PG)
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
Posted on 10 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Machinists perform highly skilled, complex, and precision machining tasks. They manufacture components from specialist materials using both conventional and CNC machine tools. The role requires strong technical capability, accuracy, and the ability to work with minimal supervision to ensure components meet exacting engineering standards.
- Wage
-
£16,640 a year
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
You will work Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times, including your shift pattern, will be determined by the employing company.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 3 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
Role & responsibilities:
- Interpret and apply engineering data and documentation, including engineering drawings, technical specifications, and computer-generated programmes
- Set up, operate, and adjust/edit machine tool settings according to equipment requirements (conventional and/or CNC)
- Produce, prove out, and/or edit CNC programmes to ensure efficient and accurate machining processes
- Use mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae, and practical calculations to support machining operations (e.g., speeds and feeds, angles, tapers, material removal rates)
- Measure, inspect, and verify machined components during and after production; make corrective adjustments to equipment and programmes to ensure adherence to specifications
- Work independently with minimal supervision while taking full responsibility for the quality and accuracy of completed work
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure, properties, and characteristics of materials commonly used in the machining of components
- Understand and apply correct procedures for work-holding devices, cutting tools, and machine/tooling setup
- Proactively identify solutions to problems and contribute to continuous improvement within the business
Where you'll work
UNIT 21
CROMPTON ROAD
SPEEDWELL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
CHESTERFIELD
S43 3PG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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.
Training schedule
You will study on a Level 3 Machining Technician pathway. On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Level 3 standard.
During the first year of the apprenticeship, your learning will take place at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre based at Catcliffe, Rotherham, for an initial block of study on a full-time basis. After this, you will attend the Training Centre for one day a week for knowledge study.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4)
- Mathematics (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
About this employer
We are a family-run business that truly values its employees and the unique contributions they bring. As an apprentice with us, you’ll be welcomed into a supportive environment where you’ll receive hands-on guidance, training, and real opportunities for progression. If you’re looking to start your career with a team that cares about your growth and development, take the next step and get in touch.
After this apprenticeship
Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world. These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004675.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
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