Level 3 Engineering Machining Technician Apprentice
SOUTHFIELDS ENGINEERING LTD
ESSEX (CM11 2PZ)
Closes on Wednesday 15 July 2026
Posted on 17 March 2026
Contents
Summary
To learn all aspects of CNC Milling and turning using fixed head and sliding heads machines.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday- Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm.
Friday, 8.00am - 3.00pm.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Saturday 1 August 2026
- 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
- Person required to train on our latest CNC Milling and Turning machines to include fixed head and sliding head
- All aspects of training will be given to right candidate and there is a possibility of off-site training at the manufactures training HQ
College 1 day per week in Chelmsford General duties:
- Leaning all aspects of CNC Milling and turning
- Setting up
- Programming to include CAD CAM and operation
- Machine maintenance + health and safety
Where you'll work
6 GUILSPRIME BUSINESS CENTRE
SOUTHEND ROAD
BILLERICAY
ESSEX
CM11 2PZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CHELMSFORD 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
Engineering Level 3 Machining Technician
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- or equivalent in English (grade 4 or above)
- or equivalent in maths (grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
About this employer
Southfields has been trading since 1979 and have over 35 years experience, our success due to trading across a diverse market, catering to an extensive range to our customer’s requirements, all of which are of the highest standard of expertise. Southfields capabilities are limitless, and quality is always at the forefront of our business strategy.
Our modern subcontract CNC turning and milling facility is situated in Essex and has been fully equipped to enable us to offer our customers the most reliable and efficient precision CNC machining service possible.
The bespoke nature of our business allows us to cater for the needs of each customer individually.
In what are often complex time critical supply chains, we understand the need to offer quick turnaround to our customers. Our lead times are flexible depending on batch size. We offer a fast track CNC turning and milling service if your requirement is urgent. We will work with you to deliver the most efficient service possible.
In addition, our engineers use their skill and experience in CNC precision engineering to advise customers on the design of their components; where opportunities exist to achieve greater cost efficiencies through design improvements, our engineers will discuss these with customers to ensure they achieve maximum efficiencies.
After this apprenticeship
- Potential full-time role after apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CHELMSFORD COLLEGE
David Cornwell
cornwelld@chelmsford.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021365.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 15 July 2026