ENGINEERING APPRENTICE – LEVEL 3
On Course South West.
Plymouth (PL1 1QX)
Closes in 17 days (Monday 9 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 October 2026
Contents
Summary
You will work alongside experienced engineers, learning the practical skills and the knowledge required to build a successful career in engineering. Opportunity to develop your understanding of engineering processes, tools, equipment, materials and workplace procedures, while contributing to the day-to-day activities of the business.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
To be discussed at interview - Monday - Friday.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 23 November 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
- Assist experienced engineers with day-to-day engineering activities
- Learn to use engineering tools, equipment and machinery safely and correctly
- Develop practical engineering skills and an understanding of technical drawings
- Learn about engineering materials, components, manufacturing processes and quality standards
- Follow health and safety procedures and maintain a clean, safe working environment
- Work effectively as part of a team and communicate with colleagues
- Develop problem-solving, fault-finding and attention-to-detail skills
- Complete apprenticeship training, coursework and assessments on time
Where you'll work
Cobourg House
Mayflower Street
Plymouth
PL1 1QX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
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
As part of your Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship, you will combine practical, hands-on experience at Hymec Aerospace (UK) Ltd with structured training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a successful career in engineering.
Where training will take place:
Workplace training: Hymec Aerospace (UK) Ltd, 191 Plymbridge Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 7JS.
College or training provider: Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre
How often training will take place:
You will receive ongoing practical training and guidance in the workplace from experienced engineers. Off-the-job training towards your Level 3 engineering qualification will take place in accordance with your agreed apprenticeship training plan.
Progress reviews: Regular reviews with your employer and training provider to monitor your progress, discuss your development and ensure you are working towards achieving your qualification.
Your training plan will be agreed with Hymec Aerospace (UK) Ltd and your apprenticeship training provider to ensure you receive the support, guidance and practical experience needed to develop your engineering skills and achieve your qualification.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
- Math (grade 4-9 (A*-C))
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
Hymec Aerospace (UK) Ltd is based in Plymouth, Devon, and operates within the aerospace engineering sector.
We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and reliable individual who is keen to begin a career in engineering. This apprenticeship offers an opportunity to learn practical engineering skills, gain industry experience and work towards a recognised engineering qualification while developing within a professional engineering environment.
You will learn from experienced colleagues, develop your technical knowledge and build the skills required for a long-term career in aerospace engineering.
https://www.hymec.net/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
At Hymec Aerospace (UK) Ltd, we are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of engineers. As an apprentice, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, gain practical skills and build a strong foundation for your future career.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
For the right Apprentice they will encourage ongoing learning, professional development and the achievement of relevant engineering qualifications. Progression will depend on individual performance, competence, experience, available opportunities and business requirement and a full time role if there is a position available.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Tim Scott-Lloyd
tim.scott-lloyd@plymouth.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060637.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Monday 9 November 2026 at 11:59pm)