Machining Apprentice
DUNPHY COMBUSTION LTD
LANCS (OL11 2SL)
Closes on Saturday 14 November 2026
Posted on 14 September 2026
Contents
Summary
Dunphy Combustion is looking for a Machining Apprentice to join its Rochdale headquarters. You will learn how to produce precision engineered components using machinery, developing skills in machine operation, tooling, inspection- working from engineering drawings while completing a Machining Technician apprenticeship.
- Wage
-
£15,392 to £24,454.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday: 7:45am-4:30pm
Friday: 7:45am-3:30pm
Published Dunphy opening hours. Exact contracted hours, breaks and apprenticeship training arrangements to be confirmed by the employer.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Thursday 19 November 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
Working alongside experienced engineers in Dunphy's machining department, the apprentice will develop the skills needed to manufacture high-quality precision components. Duties will include:
• Learning to set up and operate CNC machinery safely and efficiently.
• Developing experience on Mazak CNC lathes and Haas machining centres used within Dunphy's machining department.
• Learning how to set tooling, offsets and fixtures.
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, setup sheets and technical information.
• Producing precision components and learning to work to specified tolerances.
• Using measuring equipment including micrometres, verniers and gauges to inspect completed work.
• Monitoring machining operations and identifying quality or production issues.
• Maintaining good housekeeping around machinery, tools and work areas.
• Following health, safety, quality and environmental procedures at all times.
• Working as part of the wider machining and manufacturing team and developing greater responsibility as skills and confidence grow.
Where you'll work
QUEENSWAY
ROCHDALE
LANCS
OL11 2SL
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
The successful candidate will complete the Machining Technician Level 3 apprenticeship (ST1305) with Rochdale Training. Training will combine workplace learning at Dunphy Combustion with structured off-the-job training. The apprenticeship develops knowledge and practical competence in machining, including CNC machine tools, engineering drawings and technical data, machine setup and operation, inspection, quality, health and safety and precision component manufacture. Mandatory qualifications and end-point assessment requirements will be completed in line with the apprenticeship standard.
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
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Dunphy Combustion is a family-owned engineering and manufacturing company based in Rochdale. Established in 1964, the company designs, manufactures, installs and maintains industrial combustion equipment, including industrial burners, digital burner control solutions and packaged boiler plant rooms. Dunphy's Rochdale manufacturing complex includes production, research and development, testing and engineering facilities. This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to develop precision machining skills within an established UK engineering manufacturer.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This apprenticeship provides a route into a skilled CNC machining career. On successful completion, there may be opportunities to progress into a CNC Machinist / Setter-Operator or other precision engineering roles within the business, subject to performance, business requirements and vacancies.
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 VAC2000053249.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 14 November 2026