Engineering Machinist Apprentice
RK Print Coat Instruments Ltd
ROYSTON (SG8 0QZ)
Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026
Posted on 22 May 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Engineering Machinist Apprentice to join our team. This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working alongside skilled engineers and machinists. You will learn how to manufacture precision components using a range of machining equipment.
- Wage
-
£21,000 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pension
Production bonus
Punctuality bonus
Healthcare cash plan - Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Friday, 8.00am - 1.00pm.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 4 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
- Operate manual and CNC machining equipment such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders
- Interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications
- Measure and inspect components using precision measuring tools
- Set up and adjust machinery for different machining operations
- Follow health and safety procedures within a workshop environment
- Maintain machines and tools to ensure safe and efficient operation
- Work with engineers and supervisors to meet production requirements
Where you'll work
ABINGTON ROAD
LITLINGTON
ROYSTON
SG8 0QZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL 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
You will:
- Work towards a Level 3 Engineering Machining Technician Apprenticeship
- Attend college on a day-release or block-release basis at the Cambridge Campus
- Receive structured on-the-job training from experienced machinists
- Develop industry-standard machining, inspection, and engineering skills
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 or C)
- Maths (grade 4 or C)
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
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Amazing , generous company to work for, family feel yet global impact.
RK PrintCoat Instruments manufacture a range of sample preparation equipment/ print testing equipment with one common theme, production of repeatable samples.
The major industrial users of RK equipment include ink and paint manufacturers, resin and dyestuff suppliers and manufacturers of textiles, adhesives, papers, films, foils and medical and pharmaceutical products.
After this apprenticeship
A full time position.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033226.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026