Apprentice CNC Machinist
DOBSON & BEAUMONT LTD
BLACKBURN (BB1 3BL)
Closes on Friday 29 May 2026
Posted on 7 April 2026
Contents
Summary
As a CNC Machinist Apprentice you will be working on our various CNC machines, initially running machines already set, but gradually progressing to setting and then programming the machines.
- Wage
-
£16,224 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)
There are 26 days holiday per year, a company sick pay scheme, and all other standard benefits.
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 7.45am to 4.45pm
Friday 7.45am to 12.45pm
Role will move onto shifts Monday to Friday 6am to 2pm and 2pm to 10pm
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 8 June 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 3 months
- Positions available
-
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
CNC Machinist Apprentice Job Description
Working on our various CNC machines, initially running machines already set, but gradually progressing to setting and then programming the machines.
We have single and twin spindle CNC lathes some with single turrets and some with twin turrets, sliding head CNC lathes, and various manual machines. The majority of work is lathe based. We have Nakamura, Star, CMZ, Hardinge, and a Doosan Puma machines, the majority of which have been bought since 2021.
The role would involve:
- Selecting existing programmes from the archive, sending to the CNC machine, setting tooling and getting parts to a first off stage
- Running the machine, monitoring tool wear and changing tooling accordingly, maintaining parts to specification
- Programming parts from customer drawings
- All in production inspection is done by the operator themselves
The role requires the following key attributes:
- Good basic maths to Convert metric / imperial, calculate lengths and dimensions
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to inspect work to drawing
- Pride in quality of work, rather than volume of work
- Team player, willing to take and offer help and advice where it is useful
Training would be through existing operators and external training courses.
Career progression into other roles may be possible over time, and the business has a philosophy of developing its employees as much as possible.
Ultimately we would prefer all technicians to be shift based, but your training and development period would be on days. You would not progress onto shifts until you were ready.
Where you'll work
APPLEBY STREET
BLACKBURN
BB1 3BL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TRAINING 2000 LIMITED
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
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any (grade Grade 4/C or above)
- Any (grade Grade 4/C or above)
- English (grade Grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (grade Grade 4/C or above)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
Other requirements
Please do not contact the company directly. Please note - we reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a suitable number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply as soon as possible if you wish to be considered for this role.
About this employer
Dobson and Beaument is a thread rolling specialists company based in Blackburn
Whether you require a thread rolled component, or a precision engineered part, we can help.
Roll only of your machined parts, machining and rolling of free issue materials, complete supply of machined and rolled parts, centreless grinding, ultrasonic testing and MPI inspection, working with sub-contractors on heat treatments and final coatings.
After this apprenticeship
Career progression into other roles may be possible over time, and the business has a philosophy of developing its employees as much as possible. Engineers work in high-tech, dynamic environments using state of the art equipment. They are inventors, designers and problem solvers, people who make a difference to the way we live. As trained professionals, engineers are well paid and highly respected.?Many get top jobs and even run their own companies. If you enjoy working as part of a team, like solving problems and have a practical flair, you will find engineering has a lot to offer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TRAINING 2000 LIMITED
Grace Gardner
grace.gardner@t2000.co.uk
01254 54659
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000024914.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 29 May 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.