Apprentice Machining Technician

COORSTEK ADVANCED MATERIALS CREWE LIMITED

Crewe (CW1 6UA)

Closes in 10 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 September 2026

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Summary

Working alongside experienced operators and engineers, you will learn how to safely prepare, process, inspect and finish ceramic components through the green machining and grinding stages of the manufacturing process. The role provides an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on manufacturing experience.

Wage

£15,704 to £24,949.73, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Thursday 7am- 3pm Friday 7am- 12:45pm

37 hours 45 minutes a week

Start date

Friday 2 October 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

2

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

Main responsibilities include:

  • Machining of ceramic components before firing
  • Grinding and finishing of ceramic components
  • Setting and operating relevant machinery
  • Loading and unloading components safely
  • Selecting and changing appropriate tooling under supervision
  • Checking component dimensions against drawings and specifications
  • Identifying surface defects and other quality issues
  • Understanding the effects of machining and grinding processes on ceramic components
  • Learning how process conditions can affect final component quality
  • Supporting the efficient flow of components through the manufacturing process

Where you'll work

Crewe Hall Enterprise Park
Weston Road
Crewe
CW1 6UA

Training

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

Training provider

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

In-house training plus the candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a Machining Technician qualification.

This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College– South & West. If the candidate does not hold GCSE grades A-C (9-4) or equivalent, they will be required to complete a Level 2 Functional Skill in the relevant subject.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)
  • Science (grade C/4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Design & Technology (grade C/4)
  • Engineering (grade C/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
  • Team working
  • Reliability
  • Active listening

Other requirements

Being able to reliably travel to site for the required working hours, check public transport/biking times. Some manual handling may be required. Able to take instructions seriously.

About this employer

CoorsTek Crewe is a specialist manufacturer of advanced technical ceramic and engineered components, supplying high-performance products to a range of global industries including semiconductor, medical, energy and manufacturing sectors.

After this apprenticeship

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

The apprentice will be provided with a permanent role as either a CNC machinist or pre-setter upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Becky Smythe

becky.smythe@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051659.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)