Machining Technician Apprentice

Summary

At Parker, we play a pivotal role in applications that change our world. We are in almost everything that moves. With our wide range of technologies, including in the clean tech space, we help our customers solve their most complex engineering challenges.

Wage

£23,000 a year

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Quarterly bonus scheme. Attractive pension plan (up to 9% employer contribution). 25 days annual leave + bank holidays - increasing with length of service.

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Thursday: 08:00 to 16:30 and Friday 08:00 to 14:00

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

3 years

Positions available

4

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

What you will learn:

Manual turning, milling, finishing, and CNC programming, including production preparation techniques.
Industry health, safety, and environmental standards.
Reading, interpreting, and working from engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation accurately.
Set up machines, select and install tooling and work-holding devices, and adjust machine parameters for precision machining.

Your responsibilities:

Carry out machining tasks to the required standards, including setup, operation, and finishing of components.
Follow health, safety, and environmental regulations at all times.
Perform quality checks, troubleshoot faults, and ensure components meet required specifications and tolerances.
Collaborate effectively with your team, communicate clearly, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Attend college and maintain good progress with studies submitting assignments and coursework in good time.

Where you'll work

Riverside Road,
Pottington Business Park,
Barnstaple.
EX31 1NP

Training

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

College or training organisation

PETROC

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

You will receive practical training at our site in Barnstaple, working alongside experienced machinists and engineers. Formal learning will take place at Petroc, working towards a Machnining Technician (Level 3) apprenticeship, where you will gain additional experience and technical knowledge. This combination ensures you develop both the practical skills and the core knowledge required to succeed in your role.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4-9)

Other in:

Engineering or technology (grade 4-9)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements

This apprenticeship will suit someone with a genuine interest in engineering, machining, or manufacturing processes.

About this company

At Parker, we play a pivotal role in applications that change our world. We are in almost everything that moves. With our wide range of technologies, including in the clean tech space, we help our customers solve their most complex engineering challenges.

http://www.parker.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there are a variety of exciting career paths available. Many of our former apprentices have progressed into roles such as CNC Setter, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineer, Lean Leader, and even Management positions. With the solid foundation and skills gained during your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to advance within the company and develop a rewarding long-term career in engineering and maintenance.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PETROC

Alex Rendle

alex.rendle@parker.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000321615.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 30 June 2025

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