Machining Technician Apprentice
PRECISION 2000 LIMITED
TYNE & WEAR, Washington
Closes in 13 days (Monday 1 June 2026)
Posted on 18 May 2026
Contents
Summary
As an apprentice machinist, you will learn CNC turning, setting and operating machines to produce precision components. You’ll read engineering drawings, inspect parts, support setups, and work alongside skilled engineers. Gain hands-on experience while developing technical skills towards a recognised engineering qualification.
- Wage
-
£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay increases throughout the apprenticeship: Year 1 starts at £8.00 minimum wage, rising to 45% in Year 2, 55% in Year 3, and 65% in Year 4. On completion, pay increases to 80%, reflecting skills gained and progression within the role.
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.00pm and Friday, 8.00am - 12.30pm.
Please note, these hours are during your first year with Seta. They may change once you move into the workplace.
37 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
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Learn to set and operate CNC turning machines under supervision
- Assist in the production of precision components to required specifications
- Read and interpret basic engineering drawings
- Support tool changes, machine setup and basic adjustments
- Carry out basic inspection of components using measuring equipment
- Follow all health & safety procedures and company policies
- Maintain a clean and organised working environment
- Work alongside experienced engineers to develop technical skills
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- KINGSWAY SOUTH, TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE, GATESHEAD, TYNE & WEAR, NE11 0SH
- 17 Sedling Road, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, NE38 9BZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION 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
- Your first year will be spent at Seta in Washington
- Your second year will be spent 4 days in the workplace with Precision 2000 and 1 day with Seta on day release
Your final 2 years will be spent full time with the employer, with regular reviews with a Seta apprenticeship manager and your employer.
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
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Willingness to learn
- Positive attitude
Other requirements
The successful candidate must have:
- A keen interest in engineering and manufacturing
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills
- Good attention to detail and a positive attitude
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Basic maths and problem-solving skills
About this employer
Precision 2000 are specialists in precision machined components, sub-assemblies and assemblies. With extensive experience across CNC Milling, CNC Turning, EDM Machining (wire & spark erosion), conventional machining and tool-making, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality engineering solutions. Quality is fundamental to our business, and we operate to the highest standards, holding BS EN ISO 9001:2015 accreditation approved by LRQA.
After this apprenticeship
- The aim is that the successful candidate will move into a full-time CNC machinist role (especially CNC turning), working more independently on setting, operating, and possibly programming machines
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Gabriella Smith
gabriella.smith@seta.co.uk
0191 416 2860
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027696.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Monday 1 June 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.