CNC Milling Apprentice

ULTRA PRECISION PRODUCTS LTD

Haverhill (CB9 8QP)

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

Posted on 26 May 2026


Summary

Ultra Precision Ltd, based in Haverhill, Suffolk, is a long-established CNC engineering company making components for various industries within the manufacturing sector. Ultra is an innovative and progressive company looking for someone to join its team of over 25 engineers.

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00am -5:00pm and Friday 8:00am -2:00pm.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 20 July 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

Making components for a multitude of industries, including Aerospace, Motorsport and Defence, we are looking for an Apprentice to join our CNC Milling section.

Working within the team, you will be trained to operate and, eventually, set and programme the latest machines within this section, making components.

Where you'll work

Ultra Precision Ltd, Homefield Road
Haverhill
CB9 8QP

Training

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

Training provider

WEST SUFFOLK 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

  • The learner will be studying the Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification
  • Day release to West Suffolk College

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

Maths and English (grade 5-9)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Logical
  • Initiative

Other requirements

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop skills and knowledge in this exciting industry.  If you are looking for a 'hands-on' career, then this will be the job for you.

With a variety of components being made every day, no 2 days will be the same.

About this employer

Ultra Precision Ltd based in Haverhill, Suffolk is a long established CNC engineering company making components for various industries within the manufacturing sector.   With continual investment in the latest machinery, Ultra is an innovative and progresive company looking for someone to join its team of over 25 engineers.

http://www.ultraprecision.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

The role will lead to the programming and setting of the CNC machines within the milling section in full-time employment. 

We have ongoing training with the arrival of new machines, so this will be a continually developing role as technology changes and develops.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

Sam Ridgeon

sam.ridgeon@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

01284 412350

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000033459.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.