Machinist Apprentice

Summary

Valen Fittings are offering an exciting opportunity for an Engineering Machining Apprentice to join their team to learn how to operate various machinery, including lathes, millers, laser cutters and CNC-programmed machines.

Wage

£17,785 a year

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Apprentice will work a 4 day week. You will be paid time and half for overtime, and double time if required to work on a Sunday.

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Tuesday to Thursday, 6.30am to 5.30pm and 6.30am to 2.30pm on Fridays.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 years

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

Day-to-day tasks will include:

The apprentice will learn how to operate, CNC, lathes, millers and laser cutters
Set, operate, programme all machines
Problem solve any issues with all machinery
Conform to the companies Quality and HSE procedures
Problem solve and rectify faults

Where you’ll work

VALEN HOUSE
WESTGATE
ALDRIDGE
WALSALL
WS9 8DG

Training

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

College or training organisation

IN-COMM TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

Your training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

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

This is a level 3 Machinist apprenticeship which will delivered over a 4-year period
The apprentice will be required to attend the training centre, In-Comm Training Services in Aldridge, WS9 8UG, 2.5 days per week for the first two years as part of the training
Level 3 Extended diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge)
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Machining) (Development Technical Knowledge)
Please ensure you are able to travel to this address as well as to the company address

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English and maths (grade 9-4)

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
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Physical fitness
Interest in engineering
Good time management

Other requirements

Due to working hours candidates must be over the age of 18 Will be Pension Scheme. Sickness insurance scheme and company bonus scheme. Apprentice must have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

About this company

From humble origins in a small machine shop in Walsall in 1976, Valen Fittings has developed into a significant manufacturing company with over 40 years of experience, providing excellence to the quality-critical oil and gas industry. As our expertise in making fittings and pipe has grown, we have twice expanded our production plant. We now have a dedicated area for the manufacture of welded pipe in bespoke lengths to suit your exact requirements, saving you the expense of purchasing random lengths. The development of the company has focused on manufacturing high-quality products with very short lead-times, whether for standard or non-standard items, or for order quantities large and small. Our ability to produce consistently high-quality fittings has been strengthened over the years as we have gained experience supplying many major projects in a wide variety of grades, sizes and thicknesses. Our highly controlled production facilities ensure that we successfully manufacture excellent-quality products. With an on-site independent radiography unit and an on-site independent UKAS approved testing laboratory, we can tightly manage your order from start to finish. The exacting standards of our pipe and fittings demand a very high skill level from our employees. We have been able to maintain and strengthen our manufacturing abilities by supporting and investing in our workforce. The resulting very low staff turnover ensures that we can consistently meet the most stringent quality requirements. Despite our established excellence, we are not complacent. We have a programme for training and developing apprentices in many areas of the business to ensure that the vital specialist skills are passed to the next generation. Only by continually investing in new equipment, techniques and, crucially, our employees, have we developed the skills and flexibility to ensure that we have become, and will remain, a market leader in the manufacture of high-quality welded pipe and fittings.

http://valenfittings.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

There will be an opportunity to progress within the company upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and potential to complete the Level 4 HNC.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

IN-COMM TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

Keira Stead (In-Comm)

Keiras@in-comm.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317977.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

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