Apprentice CNC Programmer
SHEFFIELD FORGEMASTERS ENGINEERING LIMITED
South Yorkshire (S9 2RW)
Closes in 25 days (Tuesday 10 March 2026)
Posted on 13 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The purpose of this apprenticeship is to develop into a highly skilled CAD/CAM specialist who can produce accurate technical drawings and create CNC programmes to support the Rolls Division.
- Wage
-
£17,199 a year
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 7:45am till 4pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 24 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
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
In the role, you will build expertise in Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacturing and CNC programming within a heavy-engineering environment, ensuring high-quality, efficient and safe
production. Through structured training and hands-on experience, the apprentice will learn to contribute effectively to engineering workflows while consistently promoting strong Health & Safety standards.
You’ll be creating precise technical drawings using CAD software and developing CNC programmes through CAM tools to support the Rolls Division with high-quality digital models and machining instructions. The role involves learning how CAD and CAM connect to real-world machining in a heavy engineering setting, and working closely with engineers and machinists to ensure all designs and programmes meet production needs. You’ll contribute to safe, efficient and high-quality
manufacturing through accurate design and programming, while maintaining strong Health & Safety standards and challenging unsafe behaviour when required. As you progress, you’ll build your skills
through hands-on training and structured learning, taking on additional responsibilities as your capability grows.
Where you'll work
PO BOX 286
Brightside Lane
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S9 2RW
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
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Reliable
- Enthusiastic
- Eager to learn
- Positive attitude
- Time management
- Self-motivated
Other requirements
Gain standard security clearance, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Pass a pre-placement medical with our on-site occupational health department.
About this employer
We manufacture some of the world’s largest steel castings and forgings, ranging from 1 to 350 tonnes. You don’t need to be a metallurgist expert to know that is really big and really heavy! When it comes to steel production anything that’s heavy and technically complex is where we add real value to our customers. We produce a wide range of products for mills and presses, nuclear, defence, power generation, offshore oil and gas and materials processing industries. It is this diversity of products that allows us to offer a number of different opportunities across our business. Check out our website for more information and images of the exciting work we do here. We have a long and established history within Sheffield spanning over 170 years…. In 2021 we were acquired by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). This has given our business a new focus, marking an exciting and monumental time for our future. We have also secured over £400m of new investment over the next 10 years to support our defence-critical assets, including plans for a new heavy forge line and building, a flood alleviation scheme and major machine tool replacements. There really is no better time to join us!
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and competency review, it would be expected that the individual would move into a full-time role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015434.
Apply now
Closes in 25 days (Tuesday 10 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.