Machinist Technician Apprenticeship

Summary

The purpose of the Machinist Engineering Apprentice role is to learn from the experienced members of the team, in multiple aspects of engineering. Duties include inspecting components and machinery, reporting issues and supporting continuous improvement activities and general maintenance on machines as well as general housekeeping.

Wage

£15,500 a year

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Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday: 07:30 – 16:30. Friday: 07:30 – 12:00.

38 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 9 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 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

Set up and operate manual machine tools with data from technical drawings
Work out the most efficient order to carry out machining tasks
Choose the right tools for each stage and operate the machine
Set the cutting speeds and tolerance levels
Check that work meets quality and technical standards and maintain equipment
Manual milling/turning operating, setting, and in-time CNC programming
Inspection of manufactured parts
General maintenance on machines and general housekeeping

Where you'll work

QUEBEC HOUSE
CLEVELAND TRADING ESTATE
DARLINGTON
DL1 2PB

Training

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

College or training organisation

S.W. DURHAM TRAINING LIMITED

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

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Day(s) release to South West Durham Training to be determined, based on succesfull applicants previous experience.

BTEC Level3 in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

Practical, Devlopment Competancy units of study in 1st year at SWDT to be determined by employer.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Desirable qualifications

Other in:

Engineering (grade Pass)

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
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working

Other requirements

The company is based in Darlington, the applicant must consider how they will travel to work as well as the training provider (South West Durham Training) in Newton Aycliffe.

About this company

At North View Engineering Solutions Ltd, we pride ourselves on being a leader in precision machining and fabrication services. Established in 1953, our company has grown from a small workshop into a 30,000 square foot production facility, serving clients across the UK and globally. Our highly skilled team of fabricators and machinists can produce a wide range of components and assemblies, delivering quality and consistency in every project we undertake. We specialise in engineering products from various materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium, to meet the diverse needs of our clients in industries such as oil and gas, power generation, and nuclear energy. At North View, we believe in continuous improvement and have implemented rigorous quality control measures, earning certifications like ISO 9001:2015. We are also committed to upholding the highest standards in health, safety, and environmental practices. Joining our team means being part of a company with a strong heritage, a commitment to innovation, and a vision for future growth. As an apprentice, you'll have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, and develop the skills needed to succeed in the engineering industry. Our services include: • Milling – Vertical and Horizontal up to 2.5m x 8m table size • Turning – Centre lathes up to 48” diameter x 248” between centres (1.22m x 6.3m between centres) • Vertical Boring – up to 72” diameter (1.828m diam) • Horizontal Boring – 4ft x 4ft table sizes (5 available) (1.2m x 1.2m) • Slotting – up to 18” Cap slotters (457mm) • Drilling – Radial & Bench type up to 5” Diameter x 2.5m height (127mm) • Grinding – Centre and surface grinding • Jigs & Fixtures – prototypes to reusable fittings • Spark Erosion • Metal Spraying

https://northview-engineering.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A full-time role within the organisation on successful completion of the apprenticeship.

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