Machinist Apprentice (Level 3 Machining Technician)

Summary

Join the Druck team as a Machinist Apprentice. You’ll learn to operate precision machinery, read technical drawings and craft metal parts to exact specifications. Gain practical experience whilst working towards a rewarding career in manufacturing. Apply now for a September 2025 start!

Wage

£16,123 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary increases as the apprentice progresses through the course.

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday – Thursday (6:00am – 2:30pm) Friday (6:00am – 11:00am).

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

4 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

Set-up and operate special purpose equipment, conventional (lathe and/or mill), and/or numerical control (NC) machines and machining centers for fabrication of metallic and nonmetallic parts that hold to the high-quality machine standards required within the organisation
Read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample parts to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work pieces, sequence of operations and setup requirements
Start and observe machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjust machine controls as required
Select, align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers
Demonstrate intermediate skill level (indicate part, turn OD's, and qualify ID and OD) on at least three machines: CNC mill, CNC lathe, and NC (figure feed rates), manual mill, broach, drill press, rework lathe/press lathe

Where you'll work

Fir Tree Lane
Groby
Leicestershire
LE6 0FH

Training

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

College or training organisation

LOUGHBOROUGH 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

Primarily based in the workplace.
Apprentices attend Loughborough College 1 day per week during term time
Dedicated trainer/assessor to visit the apprentice(s) in the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 subjects including Maths, English and Science (grade C / 4 or equivalent)

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

Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements

Loughborough College will be initially shortlisting applications, please check your email for updates on your application. Loughborough College reserves the right to withdraw this vacancy before the end date, following consultation with us.

About this company

Druck, a Baker Hughes business, delivers world-class expertise, excellence, and reliability in the toughest environments. Druck’s piezo-resistive pressure sensors, pressure transducers, pressure test and calibration instruments provide our companies high performance, stability, quality, accuracy, and quick response – in any environment. Since 1972, Druck products have successfully applied technological innovation and application focus to a diverse and demanding world of pressure. Druck manufactures and delivers a comprehensive range of pressure sensors and related test/calibration instruments for the field, workshop and laboratory used a diversity of applications from aerospace to subsea and from industrial to medical.

https://www.bakerhughes.com/druck (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Comprehensive private medical care options • Life insurance and disability programs • Additional elected or voluntary benefits • Annual leave entitlement

After this apprenticeship

An opportunity to progress as a machinist in our machine shop.

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