Apprentice Machinist

BOWYER ENGINEERING LTD

HANTS (SP10 5AF)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 July 2026


Summary

Learning a wide range of engineering skills and progression through a precision engineering company.

Wage

£16,224 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

We offer a starting wage at the legal minimum wage to ensure fairness. We believe in rewarding dedication and strong performance, so there are clear opportunities for pay increases based on effort, reliability and contribution to the team.

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 5.00pm with half hour unpaid lunch, Friday, 8.00am - 1.00pm

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 September 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

  • Observing, learning and understand a wide range of engineering skills and processes while under the instruction of skilled technical staff
  • To be able to demonstrate these skills and processes as the training period progresses by working independently or with a team
  • To undertake tasks as instructed and increasing overall contribution to the business
  • To undertake and successfully complete suitable college assignments throughout the training period, achieving the academic grades and practical skills in order to entitle yearly progression leading to the award of a suitable level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering
  • To develop the skills to construct or modify apparatus and instruments from verbal instructions and drawings, for research, teaching and student projects, to a high degree of precision
  • To learn how to maintain workshop equipment and to keep it in good repair
  • To maintain a logbook over the duration of the apprenticeship period, recording projects that have been undertaken and the skills learned
  • To maintain and to ensure general good housekeeping of the workplace
  • To maintain a smart appearance and to act in a professional manner at all times
  • To perform any other duties appropriate to the grade and role of the post holder
  • Read and interpret technical drawings
  • Select the identified material for each job
  • Plan the work order to produce each component
  • Produce tooling and fixtures as required
  • Use hand held inspection equipment, height gauge and shadow graph to confirm accuracy of own work
  • Maintain a clean and tidy work area
  • Use solid models to identify parts and build assemblies
  • Maintain an assembly non-conformance log and ensure that it is given to the project manager at the end of the assembly phase
  • Once trained to acceptable level you will be required to book labour hours to projects in line with overhead recovery requirements

Where you'll work

SOUTH WAY
WALWORTH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
ANDOVER
HANTS
SP10 5AF

Training

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

Training provider

BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

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 at Basingstoke College of Technology one day a week

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (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
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Health and safety conscious
  • Positive attitude
  • Reliable
  • Punctual
  • Hard working

Other requirements

  • Strong communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Willingness to learn
  • Good time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Reliability and punctuality
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Positive attitude and enthusiasm
  • Ability to follow instructions accurately

About this employer

Bowyer Engineering Limited is a well-established precision engineering and manufacturing company based on the Walworth Business Park in Andover, Hampshire. We specialise in high-end subcontract CNC machining, prototype development, and component manufacturing. 

https://www.bowyerengineering.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

  • Support will always be provided to develop into a more skilled team member

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040372.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 15 July 2026 at 11:59pm)