Machining Apprenticeship

Summary

Pattern Forme Ltd are offering the opportunity to compile and complete a Machining Apprenticeship qualification and become a skilled toolmaker, using and utilising the latest manufacturing technology.

Wage

£16,224 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday 8.00am - 5.15pm and Friday 8.00am - 2.00pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

3 years

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

Manufacturing of thermoforming tools
CNC machining (3 and 5 axis)
Possible involvement in CAD/CAM

Where you'll work

UNIT 33
LIVINGSTONE WAY
BINDON ROAD
TAUNTON
TA2 6BD

Training

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

College or training organisation

BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE

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

Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard in Machining Technician:

Level 3 Machining Technician - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours
Edexcel Level 3 Dip in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Machining)
Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade C/4 or above)
Maths (grade C/4 or above)
Science (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

Team working
Good work ethic
Motivated
Interested in Engineering

Other requirements

Please consider transport and ability to get to work in Taunton, and College in Bridgwater.

About this company

Pattern Forme (PFL) are one of the principle thermoforming toolmakers in the UK, with an excellent reputation for innovation and reliability. The company is located in Taunton, Somerset, with the administration, manufacturing and design facilities all being housed in a range of modern industrial units. A belief in teamwork, a skilled and committed workforce together with a proactive managerial approach enables PFL to provide a comprehensive service to their customers, working in complete partnership with clients from concept to design, realisation through to manufacture. In addition, PFL has always been committed to a continuing program of research and development, enabling the company to amass extensive knowledge of the manufacturing areas in which it is engaged. This practical, knowledge-based approach has enabled the company to retain the confidence and patronage of clients both large and small.

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

After this apprenticeship

Advance into various departments, such as design or mechanical engineering.

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The contact for this apprenticeship is: