CNC Machining Apprenticeship
SPECIALIST AVIATION MANUFACTURING LIMITED
Bristol (BS5 7EP)
Closes in 30 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 April 2026
Contents
Summary
SA Manufacturing Ltd are looking to invest in an apprentice; our goal Is to train you in both manual and CNC machining on milling and turning machines. In return we would be looking for a forward-thinking young person with the ability to work on their own or as part of a team showing the ability to communicate with their peers.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 7.30am until 4.30pm, Friday 7.30am until 12.30pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 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
Our goal Is to train you in both manual and CNC machining on milling and turning machines. In return we would be looking for a forward-thinking young person with the ability to work on their own or as part of a team showing the ability to communicate with their peers.
Duties will include:
- Processes - SMW (Sheet Metal Work)
- Laser cutting
- Precision SMW & Fabrication
- Coded welding
- Laser welding
- Machining
- 3 & 4 Axis precision machining
- Precision turning
- Tool room precision machining
- Grinding
- Wire eroding - sub-assembly & assembly work
- Mechanical & electrical assembly - cable looms - post process
- Treatments management
- Adhere to all Health & Safety requirements
Where you'll work
7 Maggs Lane
Clay Hill
Bristol
BS5 7EP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BATH 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.
You will be required to attend college two days per week, term time only at our Somer Valley Campus in Radstock.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4/C or above)
- Maths (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
- IT skills
- Organisation skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Initiative
About this employer
A Manufacturing Ltd is a leading player in the manufacturing industry, known for its innovative solutions and high-quality production standards.
SA strive to offer a turnkey solution to our customers. With our extensive range of plant over our 2 sites in both Bristol and Frome we are able to meet most manufacturing requirements.
Mission and Vision
To be recognised by our customers as a preferred business partner through excellence in products, customer support and innovative services. We will solve the operational problems of our customers with brilliant and bespoke solutions using our key facilities which include fine limit sheet metal work, 3 & 4 axis precision machining, Electrical and Mechanical Assembly & special processes For our employees we will strive to ensure opportunities for personnel growth, improved co-working and shared life enrichment Deliver profitable growth by building on strengths and competencies of our team. We will act with honesty, fairness and integrity in everything that we do. Our mission is to add value, reduce waste and proactively investigate areas for improvement through the use of best practice / lean manufacturing methodologies from a team committed to developing processes and resources that deliver products on time, right first time, at the right quality and cost.
https://www.sa-manufacturing.co.uk/page-1 (opens in new tab)
After this apprenticeship
We would offer a full apprenticeship leading on to a HNC or HND should the candidate wish to take on further education.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BATH COLLEGE
Laura Joy
laura.joy@bathcollege.ac.uk
01225328752
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027511.
Apply now
Closes in 30 days (Friday 29 May 2026 at 11:59pm)