Machine Shop Apprentice

Summary

Providing a strong practical, first-class service within the Machine shop department. Reporting to the Machine Shop Team Leader and the Facilities Manager, the successful candidate will develop good practical machine skills on both CNC and manual machines and be able to work in a safe manner, quickly and methodically.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Working hours - 08.30 to 16.30 (including a 30-minute unpaid break), Monday to Thursday. Friday, 08.00 to 14.30 (including a 30-minute unpaid break).

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

To develop a good knowledge of machine operations and be capable to operate machinery competently and safely
Manufacture components by following engineering drawings and instructions
Maintain discipline to protect the safe working environment and compliance with procedures
Keep work area clean and orderly
Develop the ability to perceive problems as they develop and keep the Machine Shop Team Leader informed of issues related to potential delays, which could prevent contracts from being completed on time
Ensure upmost compliance with procedures and safety regulations via implementation of the safety procedures and policies of the organisation
Remain on task at work station whilst maintaining concentration safely
Use designated areas for storage of materials, tools and equipment
To undertake other duties as reasonably requested by the Machine Shop Team Leader/Facilities Manager to facilitate a first-class service

Where you'll work

GRINDON WAY
HEIGHINGTON LANE BUSINESS PARK
NEWTON AYCLIFFE
COUNTY DURHAM
DL5 6SH

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

The successful candidate will be expected to complete training inline with the Apprenticeship programme at South West Durham Training based on the Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe. A timetable (TBC) will be split between working days at Sabre Rail and training days at SWDT.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4-9)
Maths (grade 4-9)

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
Team working
Positive approach to change
Willingness to Learn
Punctuality

About this company

Sabre Rail are industry defining rail component service & manufacturing specialists. Committed to investing in our employees, we can honestly say we genuinely care about our staff. With a high level of employee engagement, we are a positive, dynamic and friendly place to work.

Company benefits

20 Days annual leave (plus bank holidays). Long service recognition, extra holidays at certain mile stones. Fully Funded training and development scheme, including higher-level qualifications. NEST pension scheme where applicable.

After this apprenticeship

A full-Time position within the company may be possible upon successful completion of apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

S.W. DURHAM TRAINING LIMITED

Kirsty Lewton

klewton@swdt.co.uk

01325313194

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000330880.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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