Apprentice CNC Setter

Rochling Industrial UK Ltd

Hitchin (SG4 0TW)

Closes in 24 days (Saturday 30 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 August 2025


Summary

Start your engineering career with a CNC Setter apprenticeship at a leading AS9100-registered manufacturer. Gain hands-on experience in our Hitchin facility, attend day-release training at Oaklands College, and develop the skills to produce high-precision components for global industries.

Wage

£16,489.20 to £26,666.64, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

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Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 07:50 - 16:50 and Friday 07:50 - 13:50.

42 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 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

This 4-year apprenticeship offers an exciting opportunity to become a skilled CNC Setter through a combination of hands-on experience in our Hitchin facility and formal training with a day release at Oaklands College, Welwyn Garden City. You will work within our CNC machining cell, learning essential engineering skills and processes while supporting production activities. This role is perfect for someone enthusiastic about engineering, eager to learn, and committed to delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 

Where you'll work

39 Wilbury Way
Hitchin
SG4 0TW

Training

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

Training provider

OAKLANDS COLLEGE

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.

Training schedule

Machining Technician Level 3.

Day release during term time. Regular visits from your apprenticeship skills coach in the workplace.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

•  No previous CNC or engineering experience is needed, as we provide full training to help you succeed. •  A keen interest in engineering and a passion for learning new technical skills. •  Any experience with practical subjects (e.g. Design & Technology) or work experience in a workshop is a bonus but not required. •  Ability to work well in a team and take initiative when working on your own. •  A careful and focused approach to tasks, with a commitment to producing high-quality work. •  Good communication skills to work with mentors, team members, and supervisors. •  Willingness to attend day-release training at Oaklands College, Welwyn Garden City, to gain your qualifications.

About this employer

We are a leading manufacturer of high-precision machined components made from engineering plastics, serving global industries including Aerospace, Medical, Electronics, Valves, and general Engineering. As an AS9100-registered business, we uphold the highest standards of quality and precision. We are expanding our Manufacturing team and are excited to offer an Apprentice CNC Setter position to a motivated school leaver eager to kickstart their engineering career.

After this apprenticeship

  • A structured apprenticeship with comprehensive on-the-job training and mentoring
  • Day-release study at Oaklands College to achieve recognised engineering qualifications
  • The opportunity to work with the world’s largest plastics machining business, serving global industries
  • A supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth
  • Exposure to advanced CNC technology and processes in an AS9100-registered facility
  • A pathway to becoming a fully skilled CNC Setter with long-term career prospects

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

OAKLANDS COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000334183.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Saturday 30 August 2025 at 11:59pm)

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