Engineering Machining Technician Apprentice

Summary

Hill Helicopters are transforming private aviation through the design and manufacture of luxury personal helicopters. Based in Stafford, Staffordshire, they offer a rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience in high-performance aerospace engineering within a fast-growing, innovative team.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 4.00pm and Friday, 7.00am - 1.00pm with time-off to attend The JCB Academy.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 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

A Level 3 Engineering Machining Technician apprenticeship is a structured programme that combines on-the-job training with classroom-based learning to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to operate a range of manual and CNC machine tools to produce precision components. The apprenticeship typically takes three years to complete and leads to nationally recognised qualifications.

The programme covers a range of key areas, including:

Engineering principles and technical mathematics
Interpreting technical drawings and specifications
CNC programming, setting, and operating
Manual machining and tooling
Quality control and inspection techniques
Health and safety in the engineering environment

Apprentices will gain experience in both theory and practical application, developing the ability to work independently as a skilled machining technician. The programme also includes the completion of a portfolio of evidence, capturing your progress in knowledge, skills and behaviours, which contributes towards your End Point Assessment (EPA).

On successful completion, you may progress to more advanced roles within the business, with opportunities to specialise or continue your technical development.

Where you'll work

Unit 3
Shackleton Way
Stafford
ST16 1GY

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE JCB ACADEMY

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

Engineering Machining Technician – Level 3 Apprenticeship

This Level 3 Engineering Machining Technician Apprenticeship is a structured programme designed to develop the technical knowledge and hands-on skills required to operate and programme CNC and manual machines to produce precision components to exacting standards.

Programme Structure

The first three years include periods of study at The JCB Academy, where you will work towards an Advanced Level 3 Apprenticeship in Engineering Machining. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will work alongside highly experienced professionals at Hill Helicopters to gain practical insight into advanced manufacturing processes within the aerospace sector.

Apprentices will receive training in a wide range of areas, including:

Health and safety practices in engineering environments
Technical mathematics and engineering principles
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and CNC programming
Machine operation, calibration and maintenance
Inspection and quality assurance techniques
Both practical and theoretical methods are used throughout the programme to ensure apprentices develop a broad and in-depth skillset suitable for a career in precision engineering and manufacturing.

Qualifications Achieved

EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence)
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering – Machining Technician (Development Competence)
Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths (if not previously achieved)

More training information

As an official training partner, The JCB Academy delivers the classroom-based element of the apprenticeship programme. Specialising in engineering and business education, the academy provides a high-quality technical curriculum tailored to meet the needs of innovative employers such as Hill Helicopters. Learners will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, expert instruction, and a curriculum designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in the aerospace and engineering sectors.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 9-5 (A*-B/C) or equivalent)
Maths (grade 9-5 (A*-B/C) or equivalent)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Science (grade 9-5 (A*-B/C) 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

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative

About this company

Hill Helicopters is based in Stafford and plays a leading role in the design, development, and manufacture of luxury personal helicopters for the general aviation market. With a strong focus on innovation, craftsmanship and performance, Hill Helicopters delivers complete in-house engineering solutions—integrating airframe, engine, avionics and interiors to create a revolutionary aircraft that redefines private aviation.

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

After this apprenticeship

What we offer:

Competitive salary throughout the apprenticeship
Access to high-quality personal development and technical training
Opportunity to contribute to real-world aerospace engineering projects alongside experienced professionals
Pension scheme with company contributions upon successful completion of the apprenticeship and entry into employment
Excellent prospects for progression within Hill Helicopters, a pioneering force in private aviation

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