Apprentice CNC Machinist

MANTHORPE ENGINEERING LIMITED

Ripley (DE5 3ND)

Closes on Monday 29 June 2026

Posted on 18 May 2026

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Contents

Summary

Manthorpe Engineering Limited are seeking an apprentice to develop their career within our precision machining facilities, supporting the manufacture of high‑integrity machined components and assemblies using the latest machining technology. The role will involve learning a range of CNC and manual machining processes.

Wage

£16,994 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Completion of Year 1: £9.72 per hour
Completion of Year 2: £11.06 per hour
Completion of Year 3: £12.40 per hour
Completion of Apprenticeship: £13.74 per hour minimum

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday – Thursday, 07:30 - 16:30 and Friday, 07:30 - 12:30. ½ hour lunch break on Monday-Thursday.

39 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

3

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

The aim of the apprenticeship program with Manthorpe Engineering is to train people to become skilled machinists within their chosen field who can then build a successful career within the company.

To achieve this the apprentice will be paired with an experienced machinist who will ensure their skills and knowledge are developed alongside their college based training.

This process will involve on the job training and will include setting and operating of the machine to produce components.

This will involve:

  • Manual Machining on Milling and Turning machines
  • CNC Machining on vertical milling and horizontal turning
  • Deburring techniques
  • Online CNC programming

Once the key machining principles are understood and demonstrated by the apprentice there will be opportunities for progression through to our larger 5 axis machining areas.

Where you'll work

Manthorpe House
Forty Horse Close
Codnor Gate Industrial Estate
Ripley
DE5 3ND

Training

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

Training provider

WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (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
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

Founded in 1978, Manthorpe Engineering is an engineering manufacturer operating within the Defence, Nuclear, Aerospace and Power Generation industries Our facility includes a broad range of CNC machining, from smaller precision work through to large, complex components, alongside fabrication and welding carried out in‑house.

https://manthorpeengineering.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • On completion of the apprenticeship, it is expected that the qualified apprentice will be competent at setting and operating CNC machinery unsupervised (although guidance and training will still be available)
  • We have a graded pay scale to reward further progression reflecting skills and experience
  • The business also has a track record of apprentices progressing to roles other than machining (i.e. manufacturing engineering, sales, etc) as opportunities arise

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE

Violet

apprenticeships@wnc.ac.uk

01623 900798

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030666.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 29 June 2026