Engineering Apprentice

SMART ENGINEERING (UK) LTD

DERBYSHIRE (SK17 7LN)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 24 April 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 April 2026

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Summary

This occupation is found in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) sector. AME includes Aerospace, Automotive, Maritime Defence, Nuclear and Construction sectors. Machining technicians produce complex and precision machined products that are typically used in machinery. For example, aeroplanes and vehicles.  

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Monthly Bonus Scheme.

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
40-hours a week, Monday to Thursday from 8:00am - 6:00pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 11 May 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

As an Engineering Apprentice, your day‑to‑day duties may include:

🔧 Machining & Manufacturing Tasks:

  • Assisting in the setting up and operating manual and CNC machines, such as lathes, milling machines and grinders
  • Measuring and inspecting components using precision tools (micrometers, verniers, gauges) to ensure work meets engineering drawings and tolerances
  • Supporting the production of bespoke machined components for various engineering projects
  • Learning to produce and interpret engineering drawings, CAD models and specifications

🛠️ Workshop Skills & Maintenance:

  • Maintaining a clean, safe and organised work area, following company safety procedures
  • Carrying out basic machine maintenance, such as cleaning, lubrication and pre-operational checks
  • Preparing materials, tools and equipment required for machining tasks

📘 Training & Learning Responsibilities:

  • Attending training sessions towards the Machining Technician Level 3 qualification
  • Shadowing senior machinists to learn advanced machining techniques and processes
  • Recording learning progress, job tasks and evidence for portfolio completion

🤝 Teamwork & Communication:

  • Working alongside experienced engineers, contributing to problem‑solving and process improvements
  • Communicating effectively with colleagues regarding job status, issues or quality concerns

🔒 Health, Safety & Quality:

  • Following health and safety regulations, including PPE requirements and safe machine operation
  • Adhering to quality procedures, including first-off checks and final inspections

Where you'll work

UNIT 1
TONGUE LANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
BUXTON
DERBYSHIRE
SK17 7LN

Training

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

Training provider

MACCLESFIELD 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.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/C)

Desirable qualifications

BTEC in:

Engineering (grade Pass)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Reliability
  • Time management

About this employer

Smart Engineering (UK) Ltd is based in Buxton, Derbyshire and was established by Daniel Smart in 2007. 

We are sub-contract machinists who use CNC machines to turn and mill high quality plastic parts.
We work on a broad range of engineering plastics and produce single items, small batches, large batches and bespoke assemblies which combine both fabrication and machining.

All our CNC plastic machining is carried out to the highest standards.

We invest a lot of time in the training of our employees and this has resulted in us becoming a very strong and friendly team who take a group approach to problem solving.

We take this friendly attitude to our customers and we are proud of the way that we maintain long term relationships with them.

We are efficient, reliable, give an excellent level of service and deliver high quality work

https://smartengineeringuk.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

6.6 weeks holidays.

 

After this apprenticeship

After completion of your apprenticeship, you will potentially have the opportunity to progress onto full-time positions within the business.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MACCLESFIELD COLLEGE

Dawn Kirkham

dawn@smartengineeringuk.com

01298 24558

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021484.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 24 April 2026 at 11:59pm)