Apprentice CNC Programmer/Setter and Operator.

SHERWOOD STAINLESS STEEL AND ALUMINIUM LTD

WOLVERHAMPTON (WV10 9TF)

Closes on Monday 17 August 2026

Posted on 14 May 2026

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Contents

Summary

Sherwood Stainless and Aluminium is part of the Sherwood Group. The group has seen a big expansion over the last 5 years and has thrust itself to the forefront of aluminium, stainless steel and plastic production.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Under 18 – Mon – Thurs – 7am – 4pm. Under 18 – Friday – 7am – 1pm. 18+ - Mon – Thurs – 5.40am – 1.40pm / 2pm – 10pm. 18+ - Friday – 5.40am – 11.40am / 12pm – 6pm (rotating shifts).

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

4

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

  • Learn the maintenance procedures for looking after CNC’s and learn how preventative maintenance can increase the lifespan of the tools you work with
  • Working across multiple sectors of the Sherwood Machining Centre and get an insight into the work that we do and the sectors that we supply to
  • On the job training with the most up-to-date Autodesk CAD/CAM software
  • Learn how to set up CNCs with introductions to work holdings, tool usage, tool holdings and measuring with specialist equipment
  • Get to grips with our new IT system
  • Learn how important quality is to us and the huge role it plays in everything that we produce. Quality is key

Where you'll work

THE SCIENCE PARK
MAMMOTH DRIVE
WOLVERHAMPTON
WV10 9TF

Training

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

Training provider

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON 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 Apprenticeship Standard

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade A*-C (4-9))

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
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

Other requirements

We will ensure that you are given the tools to succeed, and we have a lot of experience in bringing through apprentices. We understand that it can be tough, but there are a number of qualified apprentices here who will always help. 

Sherwood Stainless and Aluminium is part of the Sherwood Group. The group has seen a big expansion over the last 5 years and has thrust itself to the forefront of aluminium, stainless steel and plastic production. The company offers high-quality precision production, finishing and stockholding services to many industries, including customers in automotive, construction, rail, lighting and more. 

  • Do you want to work for a company that is continually improving and investing in modern technology? 
  • Do you want to work for a company that recognises the importance of its staff and invests in their development? 
  • We have a proven track record of apprentices who have gone on to secure lead roles within the company. 
  • A company that will reach carbon neutrality by 2035. 
  • A company that will achieve zero to landfill by 2035. 
  • Sherwood is ISO9001 certified. Meeting the requirements of ISO 9001 provides quality management systems that ensure Sherwood operates efficiently and effectively to support customers in the best way possibly by following best practice methodologies. 
  • We offer you the ability to train and learn on the job across multiple types of machinery. 
  • We offer the opportunity to learn on the most up-to-date CAD/CAM software. 
  • We have heavily invested into new CNC Milling Centres and Long Length Milling Centres and continue to do so. 
  • You will be at the forefront of modern technology and help with our drive to increase efficiency and productivity. If this appeals to you, and you feel you have what it takes to become an important part of a fast-paced and exciting manufacturing environment, then we’d love to hear from you.

About this employer

Sherwood Stainless Steel & Aluminium Limited is a privately owned independent company that has been operating since 1990. The company offers a high quality precision production, finishing and stockholding service to many industries including customers in automotive, construction, rail, lighting and more. Working with Sherwood means you tap into the strong links we’ve built with many global leading producers of stainless steel and aluminium. Our buying power is unrivalled which adds to our competitive edge in price, service and quality. Our head office, processing and distribution centre sits on a combined 115,000 sq ft with the main production site on the Science Park in Wolverhampton supported by two additional warehousing units only minutes apart.

After this apprenticeship

  • CNC Machine Setter
  • Previous apprentices are now Team Leaders (Supervisors)

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031785.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 17 August 2026