Apprentice Machinist Level 3

Summary

Predominantly involved in highly skilled, complex, and precision work, machining components from specialist materials using conventional and/or CNC machine tools such as centre lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines, vertical and horizontal boring/honing machines, single and multi-axis CNC machine tool centres.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Above National min wage for Apprentices

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday - 8am - 4.30pm 1-hour unpaid break.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 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

As part of team, you will be supplied with a documentation pack, material, and a machining centre. You will be responsible for interpreting the job requirements, planning of the job (how to present/hold the work, the tools & tips required), the execution (speeds/feeds) & inspection measurement. All to be completed in a safe, timely and efficient manner.

They must be able to use and interpret engineering data and documentation such as engineering drawings, technical data and computer-generated programmes
Demonstrate good mathematical techniques including algebra, calculus & formula
Demonstrate good logic & problem-solving abilities

Where you'll work

Prospect Road
Haywood Forge
Halesowen
West Midlands
B62 8DZ

Training

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

College or training organisation

HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION 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

Formal training is delivered at HWGTA, located in Worcester (WR4 9GN).

Duration approximately 40-45 months.

Years 1/2 is a combination of off-the-job training at HWGTA Training Centre as well as training on-site with your employer. This includes 29-42 weeks within the training Centre plus 1 day per week in a classroom setting to cover practical and theory aspects and complete EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - Development Knowledge.

Years 3/4 based full-time in company, developing skills in preparation for the end point assessment to gain your Machinist Technician Level 3 qualification.

Additional training for functional skills in English and Maths will be undertaken if needed.

There is also a five-day team-building residential trip that is held in the spring of each year offered to all apprentices on the programme.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
Maths (grade A*-C/ 4-9)
Science (grade A*-C/ 4-9)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

IT (grade A*-C/ 4-9)

A Level or equivalent in:

Maths (grade A*- E)

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
Number skills
Team working
Read engineering drawings
Safety mind-set
Strong work ethic
committed/ motivated
Proactive
self motivated
honest/ integrity
Dependable/ responsible

Other requirements

Due to the nature of work undertaken a Baseline Personal Security Standard (BPSS) clearance will be required during first few months of employment.

About this company

From our manufacturing facility in Halesowen, situated right in the heart of the industrial Black Country, we operate a varied range of Forging Presses and Hammers which gives us a unique capability to manufacture components from as little as 1 Kg to 80 tonnes with lengths up to 23 Metres. Our Machining and Engineering facilities compliment the range of forgings we produce offering Turning, Boring and 5 Axis milling, which enables us to supply fully finished components ready for installation. We have the ability to machine products right up to 100 tonnes.

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

After this apprenticeship

As a manufacturing, engineering company, opportunities are endless once qualifications & experience have been gained. Supervision, operations planning, quality, estimating, commercial or technical.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Emily Jackson

emily.jackson@hwgta.org

01905 330732

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000325380.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Monday 30 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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