CNC Machinist Level 3 apprenticeship

INTEGRATED WATER SERVICES LIMITED

West Midlands (WS2 7PD)

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 19 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 September 2026


Summary

You will work alongside experienced engineers at IWS M&E, and gain hands-on, practical training in machining while studying towards a recognised qualification.

You will learn how to operate and maintain lathe and milling machines, developing the skills needed to produce precision-engineered components to a high standard.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. 40 hours a week

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 12 October 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

  • Reviewing drawings, instructions, blueprints or samples to ensure accurate production
  • Taking precise measurements for cutting or shaping
  • Selecting the appropriate machine and settings for a given task
  • Planning the proper sequence of tasks to complete an assignment
  • Monitoring production and adjusting feed and other settings as necessary
  • Checking output for quality assurance, and documenting or discarding defects
  • Identifying the need for, and performing, machine maintenance and minor repairs#
  • Maintaining a safe and clean workstation at all times, in line with company health and safety

As your skills develop, you'll take on increasing responsibility, working towards independently producing components to the tight tolerances required in water and wastewater engineering applications.
Full-time employment will be offered upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, subject to workload at the time - giving you a genuine career pathway within a growing, essential-services business.

Where you'll work

Green Lane
Walsall
West Midlands
WS2 7PD

Training

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

Training provider

IN-COMM TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES 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

This is a Level 3 Machining apprenticeship, delivered over a 37-month period.

The apprentice will attend the training centre, In-Comm Training Services in Aldridge, WS9 8UG, 2 and a half days per week for the first 14-months.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English and Maths (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
  • IT skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Practically minded
  • Punctual
  • Enthusiastic
  • Hard working
  • Self- motivated

About this employer

IWS M&E is part of SSI Services (UK) Ltd, a division of South Staffordshire Plc. IWS provides services
including capital delivery projects, environmental management, energy management, plant and infrastructure maintenance and emergency response. These services, along with cost-efficient solutions for water, wastewater and environmental problems, are provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, anywhere in the UK.
IWS is a successful company looking for talented individuals who want to work in an environment that is both challenging and rewarding, and who want to build a long-term career in engineering within a business that plays a vital role in the UK's water and wastewater infrastructure.

 

 

https://integrated-water.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).

Full-time employment will be offered upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, subject to workload at the time - giving you a genuine career pathway within a growing, essential-services business.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

IN-COMM TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES LIMITED

Alex Jones

AlexJ@in-comm.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051052.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Saturday 19 September 2026 at 11:59pm)