Apprentice Machining Technician
CROSTHWAITE & GARDINER LTD
UCKFIELD (TN22 4BB)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 26 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 3 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Working for this amazing company, you will learn to make complex components for historic racing cars. You will learn to programme, set and operate computer-controlled machine tools to produce high precision complex components using CNC machining centres and lathes.
- Wage
-
£18,000 a year
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 08.30-17.00.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 9 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
- Tooling & Programming: Selecting the appropriate cutting tools, calculating precise speeds and feeds, and inputting or writing code for CNC systems.
- Using fixtures/chucks/work-holding devices.
- Machining different types of materials and their properties.
- Machine Setup: Calibrate, set, and operate CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines (e.g., lathes & milling machines).
- Quality Assurance: Conduct first-off and final inspections using precision measuring tools (e.g., micrometres, verniers) to ensure components meet strict tolerance levels.
- To read and interpret complex engineering blueprints, schematics, and CAD designs.
- Cutting fluids used in machining.
- Working safely in engineering.
Where you'll work
HOGGE FARM
HURSTWOOD ROAD
BUXTED
UCKFIELD
TN22 4BB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SIGTA 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
Crosthwaite and Gardiner, Hogge Farm, Buxted, TN22 4AX.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable 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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
Good hand skills – practical skills, ability to understand and communicate technical information and work in a team. Though engineering is often viewed in purely technical terms, you must also have strong communication skills. In an engineering firm, you must listen effectively to managers to understand their directions and carry them out properly.
Mechanical engineers are, above all else, problem solvers. They use maths and analytical abilities to spot problems and resolve them. This is important in the development process so you can ensure that the devices you create do what clients need them to do.
About this employer
As world class providers of engineering and manufacturing services to the historic motor racing community, Crosthwaite and Gardiner gives you access to an unrivalled fund of knowledge and experience gained from nearly 50 years of building, restoring, maintaining and optimising some of the finest competition cars ever made.
Whatever your requirement, whatever the era, type or originality of your sports or racing car, you’ll find at Crosthwaite and Gardiner a team of friendly and well-informed professionals with a “can do” attitude and the engineering resources to allow you to enjoy it to the full.
Company benefits
You will be working towards highly respected engineering qualifications on an apprenticeship programme.
After this apprenticeship
To become a fully trained and qualified Machining Technician with Crosthwaite and Gardiner.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SIGTA LIMITED
Jacquie
jalstrom@sigta.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034760.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 26 June 2026 at 11:59pm)