Machining Apprentice
R T QUAIFE ENGINEERING LTD
Kent, KENT
Closes in 12 days (Sunday 21 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 September 2025
Contents
Summary
RT Quaife Engineering have a position open for an Apprentice Machinist. Based at our head office in Sevenoaks, Kent, the successful applicant will be trained in the key disciplines within the manufacturing industry that are required to produce our range of quality driveline products for the Automotive and Motorsport markets.
- Wage
-
£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday.
Hours – 08:00 – 16:30,
Morning break 10:15-10:30,
Lunch break 13:00-13:30.
39 hours a week
- Start date
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Wednesday 1 October 2025
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
- Machinists in the Mechanical Engineering sector are 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, horizontal and cylindrical grinding machines, electro discharge machines, single and multi-axis CNC machine tool centres.
- They must be able to use and interpret engineering data and documentation such as engineering drawings, technical data and computer-generated programmes.
- Expected to be able to set up, operate and adjust/edit equipment settings as applicable to the machine tool being used.
- When using CNC equipment be expected to be able to produce, prove and/or edit programmes.
- During and on completion of the machining operations, you will be expected to measure and check the components being produced and make adjustments to the equipment/programme to ensure components meet the required specification.
- Able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake.
- Be proactive in finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improvement.
Self-Management:
Modern manufacturing organisations require their apprentices to have a set of behaviours that will ensure success both in their role and in the overall company objectives. Our required behaviours are:
- Safety mind-set: manage self and support others to maintain and contribute to a safe working environment in line with local procedures and National and European requirements.
- Strong work ethic: motivated, proactive and committed.
- Dependability and responsibility: punctual and reliable.
- Positive attitude: constructive thinking, motivated to succeed.
- Team player: able to work and interact effectively within a team and committed to equality and diversity.
- Adaptability: able to accept and adjust to change.
- Honesty and integrity: truthful, sincere and ethical.
- Self-motivation: self-starter, able to make appropriate decisions and lead their own professional development.
- Personal commitment: prepared to make a personal commitment to the industry.
- Using mathematical techniques, algebraic expressions, formulae and calculation to understand the machining and manufacturing processes such as speeds and feeds, calculating angles/tapers, material removal.
- Understand the structure, properties and characteristics of common materials used in the manufacture of machined components.
- Understand the practical and theoretical uses of the machines used and their applications.
- Understand the work holding devices, cutting tools and setting up procedures in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the work output is to the required specification.
- Determine the most efficient and effective approach to machine the component using a range of tools, machining process and techniques.
- Comply with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations while carrying out manufacturing techniques.
- Read and interpret engineering data: read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and computer-generated information in order to determine what has to be produced and to what specification.
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Gillingham Business Park,, Unit 3, Bailey Drive,, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0PZ
- VESTRY ROAD, OTFORD, SEVENOAKS, KENT, TN14 5EL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MID-KENT COLLEGE
Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Training schedule
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
RT Quaife Engineering Ltd is a global leader in the performance automotive drivetrain industry, supplying motorsport users, volume OEM and commercial customers with a wide variety of precision engineered products for cars, motorcycles and specialist use vehicles. From Clubman rallying up to Formula One, tens of thousands of automotive and motorcycle users depend on Quaife products to maximise their vehicle’s performance on a daily basis, including sequential gearboxes, automatic torque biasing (ATB®) differentials and associated drivetrain components.
After this apprenticeship
Full-Time CNC Machinist.
The entire Management / Supervisor team have all worked there way up through Shopfloor and customer services.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MID-KENT COLLEGE
Apprenticeship Recruitment
apprenticeshiprecruitment@midkent.ac.uk
01622 625999
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340872.
Apply now
Closes in 12 days (Sunday 21 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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