Apprentice CNC Machinist

Watson Marlow Ltd

Cornwall (TR11 4RU)

Closes in 29 days (Friday 17 July 2026)

Posted on 18 June 2026

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Summary

Learn to use CNC machines across 3, 4, 5 and 10-axis equipment, including setting, operating and TPM. Develop programming skills, understand cutting techniques, support multiple machine types and produce high-quality media transfer systems. Gain mentoring, technical training, and experience in continuous improvement, Lean and 5S.

• Wage:

  £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • potential staff bonus

• Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 4.30pm and Friday, 8.00am - 1.00pm

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 28 September 2026

• Duration:

  4 years 3 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

Reporting to a machine shop Team Leader, as an apprentice aligned to the machine shop function you will be learning and developing the skills required to use a range of CNC machines including 3, 4, 5, and 10 axis equipment.

You will be given the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to be able to set and operate different machine types and carry out total preventative maintenance (TPM) activities, develop the skills required to create programs and understand the different cutting techniques required for the multitude on materials required to produce world leading media transfer systems.

During your apprenticeship you will be expected to support multiple equipment types and undergo training to support the development of your knowledge and skills.

As an apprentice you will be mentored by our machine shop technicians who will pass on their specialist knowledge of machining and process development in support of your studies.

You will be responsible for your own quality, safety and the safety of others.  

What you’ll be doing;

• Developing the skills needed to safely set and operate complex machinery
• Learning about machine safety
• Developing a safety-first culture when setting machines understanding risk assessment and COSHH
• Developing the skills required to use and understand different metrology equipment
• Learning about continuous improvement, lean and 5S
• Developing the ability to conduct non-conformance investigations including Root Cause analysis and Corrective Actions
• Learning about the Watson Marlow values and how we apply them every day

Where you'll work

Bickland Water Road
Falmouth
Cornwall
TR11 4RU

Training

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

Training provider

TRURO AND PENWITH 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

Training will take place weekly (term time) at a Truro-Penwith College campus

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• Engineering (grade 4)
• Science (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
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Team working

About this employer

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions is part of Spirax Group, a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi-national industrial engineering Group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies.

As a world leader in manufacturing peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies for the life sciences and process industries, we offer a wide range of products, including tubing, specialised filling systems and products for single-use applications.

Our shared Purpose is to create sustainable value for all our stakeholders as we engineer a more efficient, safer and sustainable world. Our technologies play an essential role in critical industrial processes and industrial equipment across industries as diverse as Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors and Healthcare. With customers in 116 countries, we provide the solutions that sit behind the production of many items used in daily life, from baked beans to mobile phones!

https://www.wmfts.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

• Up to 10% company pension contribution
• Private medical cover
• 27 days holiday
• Wellbeing day
• Volunteering days
• Share scheme
• Flexible benefits scheme

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• On completion of a successful apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity for a full-time position

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037875.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Friday 17 July 2026)

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