CNC Machinist Apprentice

Summary

Sentinel is a precision machine manufacture, that specialize in small to medium batch work of cast components for a variety of customers. We are seeking an apprentice to join the business so that we can help them to develop into a machine setter across a wide range of machines.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday 7.30am - 4.15pm, Friday 7.30am - 12.30pm

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

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

Programme and set CNC horizontal, vertical and CNC lathe machine
Interpret technical drawings
Select and install appropriate cutting tools and fixtures for each job
Conduct in process inspection
Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of machines

Where you'll work

MARCH WAY
BATTLEFIELD ENTERPRISE PARK
SHREWSBURY
SY1 3JE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

SHREWSBURY COLLEGES GROUP

Your 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.

Your training plan

Working towards gaining the skills, knowledge and behaviours to achieve the level 3 Machining Technician apprenticeship standard:

Machining technician/Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
You will attend the London Rd Campus 2 days per week and the remainder of the working week will be in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths (grade C / 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

Sentinel Manufacturing specialise in CNC (Vertical/Horizontal/Turning) machining, predominantly aluminium and ferrous components. From our experience, we have found that small to medium repetitive batch sizes are ideal with diverse engineering capabilities. We are fortunate enough to have the expertise and knowledge which can be put to good use during consultation and to discuss engineering solutions. Product weight range is up to 500kg; bed size is up to 700cm square.

https://www.sentinelmanufacturing.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Fully trained CNC time served apprentice, which will hopefully lead them into Engineering technician.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SHREWSBURY COLLEGES GROUP

Jules Rhodes

julesr@shrewsbury.ac.uk

01743 653 460

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000311372.

Apply now

Closes tomorrow (Monday 5 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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