Machining Apprentice
1860 GEL LIMITED
ROCHDALE (OL16 5LB)
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 11 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 11 September 2026
Contents
Summary
1860 GEL is looking for a motivated Machining Apprentice to join its engineering team. You will learn how to produce precision-engineered components while working alongside experienced engineers. This is a hands-on opportunity to build a career in engineering while completing a Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£17,056 to £27,097.72, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday: 7:30am- 4:30pm
Friday: 7:30am- 12:30pm
Business hours total 41 hours across the week. Break arrangements and contracted paid hours to be confirmed by the employer.
41 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 19 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
As a Machining Apprentice, you will develop the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to manufacture precision components safely and accurately. Working with experienced engineers, your duties will develop as your competence grows and may include:
- Learning to set up and operate CNC and conventional machine tools
- Developing skills in CNC milling and CNC turning
- Learning conventional machining processes including milling, turning, boring and drilling
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
- Selecting and using appropriate tooling, work-holding methods and machining parameters
- Measuring and checking components using appropriate inspection equipment to ensure they meet required specifications
- Supporting the production of one-off and small/medium batch components for customers
- Carrying out routine machine checks, cleaning and basic maintenance in line with company procedures
- Following health and safety procedures and maintaining a clean, organised working area
- Working with colleagues to solve engineering problems and continually improve quality and efficiency
The role will provide exposure to a professional precision-engineering environment and allow the apprentice to build machining knowledge and confidence over the course of the apprenticeship.
Where you'll work
UNIT 1B
MOSS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
WOODBINE STREET EAST
ROCHDALE
OL16 5LB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION 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
You will work towards the Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship with Rochdale Training. The apprenticeship combines practical workplace development with structured training to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a machining technician. Training will cover areas relevant to the standard and the apprentice's role, with off-the-job training completed during paid working hours.
The apprenticeship standard has a typical on-programme duration of 42 months, followed by end-point assessment. The exact training pattern and qualification route will be confirmed as part of the apprenticeship enrolment and training plan.
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
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
1860 GEL Limited is a British engineering company based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The company provides a wide range of engineering and manufacturing services, including CNC machining, conventional machining, Wire EDM, tool design and manufacture, CAD/CAM machining, surface grinding, welding and fabrication, testing and inspection, and service and repair.
1860 GEL has an established focus on quality, creativity and innovation. Its machining capability includes CNC milling, CNC turning and 4th-axis CNC machining, alongside conventional milling, turning, boring and drilling. This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to develop practical machining skills in a working precision-engineering environment.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Successful completion of the apprenticeship will provide the apprentice with the skills and experience to pursue a career as a skilled machinist/machining technician. Potential progression may include further responsibility within CNC or precision machining and, with further training and experience, progression into higher-level engineering or manufacturing roles. Any guaranteed permanent position is TO BE CONFIRMED by the employer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
Nathan Finn
nfinn@rochdaletraining.co.uk
01706 631 417
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053150.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Sunday 11 October 2026 at 11:59pm)