26-0039 Apprentice Pattern Maker/Tool Maker

WILLIAM LEE LIMITED

Derbyshire (S18 2XU)

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

Posted on 19 March 2026

---

Summary

You will be involved in developing ways to improve efficiencies and production methods across the site, pro-actively seeking out problems and finding solutions. The Tool room and Pattern shop are both highly-skilled departments, using a variety of materials. You will learn how to use various machines, in addition to hand and power tools. 

• Wage:

  £15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
• Hours: You will work Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times including your shift pattern will be determined by the employing company.

  38 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 7 September 2026

• Duration:

  3 years 3 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

Role & Responsibilities:

• Producing precision fixture tooling and grippers for the automated grinding areas
• The repair and/or modification of pattern and core box tooling and making patterns for the foundries
• Manufacturing bespoke items of plant machinery for the maintenance department
• Gauges and checking equipment for Quality Assurance
• Repairing feeders and running systems
• Working to tight tolerances from engineering drawings or verbal discussions

 

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure compliance with the company’s health and safety and environmental policies, ensuring these are understood and upheld
• Ensure that you are always equipped with the correct personal protective equipment and is properly looked after and maintained
• Ensure that all accidents are reported and recorded in the accident book
• Ensure any spillages are cleared up immediately and the correct emergency equipment is always available

 

NB. This job description is not exhaustive and may be revised as necessary.

Where you'll work

Callywhite Lane
Dronfield
Derbyshire
S18 2XU

Training

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

Training provider

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

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

You will study on a Level 3 Machining Technician apprenticeship. On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Level 3 standard. 

During the first year of the apprenticeship, you're learning will take place at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre based at Catcliffe, Rotherham, for an initial block of study on a full-time basis. After this, you will attend the Training Centre for one day a week for knowledge study. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English Language (grade 4)
• Mathematics (grade 4)

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
• Analytical skills
• Team working

About this employer

William Lee is one of the largest foundries in the UK and British Owned. It’s continual investment in plant, processes and a dedicated workforce has enabled the company to be extremely successful, with over 150 years of history and long-term plans. We supply global markets to blue chip companies including BMW, Mercedes, Daimler.

After this apprenticeship

Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world. These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

AMRC Training Centre Recruitment Team

recruitment@amrctraining.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022021.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.