Apprentice Machine Engineer

GIBBS GEARS PRECISION ENGINEERS LTD

AYLESBURY.BUCKS (HP22 5BL)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 8 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 24 April 2026

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Summary

Gibbs Gears are looking for two motivated apprentices to jump into real engineering! Learn CNC machining, gear cutting, grinding, wire eroding, assembly and more while working with advanced tools and tech. Get hands‑on, build real skills, and grow your future with a team that will train and support you.

Wage

£19,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 08:00 - 16:30 and Friday, 08:00 - 15:30

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 9 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

What you’ll learn:

You’ll be trained in programming, set and operating a wide range of engineering machinery, including:

  • CNC 4 axis turning & CNC 5 axis milling
  • Gear cutting (hobbing, shaping, bevel gears)
  • CNC & manual grinding
  • Wire eroding and broaching
  • Gearbox assembly
  • Quality control using micrometers, verniers and CMMs

This is practical engineering - not just watching from the sidelines.

What you’ll do day to day:

  • Keep your work area organised
  • Support other departments when needed
  • Follow Health & Safety rules
  • Suggest improvements and new ideas
  • Work as part of a skilled, friendly team

Who we’re looking for:

Someone who is:

  • Enthusiastic about engineering
  • Good with numbers and hands on tasks
  • Able to read technical drawings
  • A team player with a mature attitude
  • Hard working, self motivated and committed
  • Aware of Health & Safety
  • Able to study and learn independently

Where you'll work

UNIT 4 TRIANGLE BUS.PARK
QUILTERS WAY
STOKE MANDEVILLE
AYLESBURY.BUCKS
HP22 5BL

Training

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

Training provider

MILTON KEYNES 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

  • In house training is supported using the NatWest Mentoring Portal, where online training on Health and Safety is completed
  • Every week you’ll get a full day at Milton Keynes College - a chance to boost your skills, learn the engineering theory, and work towards your Machining Technician Apprenticeship qualification alongside other apprentices

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 5)
  • Science (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
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

Other requirements

  • A Level or equivalent maths, Science, Technology or Engineering related (Grade C or higher) desirable

About this employer

Gibbs Gears is a leading UK manufacturer of high‑precision gears, components and motion‑control solutions for global aerospace, motorsport, nuclear, medical and industrial markets. We specialise in CNC milling, turning, grinding and EDM, supported by strict ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality standards. Working closely with customers from concept to prototype, we deliver innovative, custom‑built engineering solutions.

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

After this apprenticeship

  • All Apprentices are expected to complete their apprenticeship standard
  • Apprentices who excel during this training will then be supported to continue their training with a view to them completing level 4, 5 and 6

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

Apprenticeships

apprenticeships@mkcollege.ac.uk

01908 637056

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027247.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 8 May 2026 at 11:59pm)