Tool Maker / Machinist Apprentice
NORTHERN FIRE PROTECTION LTD
Wakefield (WF1 5QY)
Closes in 24 days (Monday 11 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 17 April 2026
Contents
Summary
We are seeking a motivated Tool Maker to join our team, reporting directly to the Operations Manager. In this hands-on role, you will be responsible for producing high-quality moulds that form the foundation of our manufacturing process, working from drawings, samples, or existing parts to deliver precise and efficient tooling solutions.
- Wage
-
£19,240 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary is £10 an hour, rising to £20 an hour once KPI's are met over the duration of the course.
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.45pm.
Friday, 8.00am - 2.30pm.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 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
- Interpret drawings, samples, or provided parts to determine requirements such as size, material, and specifications
Source required materials from stock or arrange ordering where necessary - Design and produce tooling using AutoCAD
- Operate machinery including centre lathes and milling machines to manufacture tools
- Carry out milling and other machining processes as required
Prepare and pass completed tools to injection or cast moulding for production - Finish moulded products to specification using centre lathe and technical drawings
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area
- Ensure appropriate PPE is worn at all times
- Review processes and suggest improvements, working with colleagues and management
- Undertake any other duties as reasonably required
Where you'll work
Polytech Mouldings
Church Street
Wakefield
WF1 5QY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
KIRKLEES 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
You will complete Level 3 Machining Technician at Kirklees College, Huddersfield. This course will be day release to college, which day is to be confirmed.
Requirements
Essential 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
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Polytech Mouldings is a market leading engineering solutions provider, specialising in injection and cast mouldings.
Whilst we specialise in engineered plastic products, our in-house tooling and mould manufacturing processes support a vast range of cast and injection moulded solutions. The qualities of our materials mean our products are moulded to your individual specifications so that they can perform effectively in your environment.
After this apprenticeship
Upon completion of your apprenticeship, you may have the opportunity to further develop your skills and secure a permanent position at Polytech Mouldings.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
KIRKLEES COLLEGE
Katie Battye
kbattye@kirkleescollege.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000024358.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Monday 11 May 2026 at 11:59pm)