Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

Summary

Gibbs Gears are looking for two motivated and keen apprentices to join their team. Candidates will be given the opportunity to gain experience a range of engineering core skills over the term of their Apprenticeship using a variety of equipment.

Wage

£19,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 08:00 - 16:30, and Friday, 08:00 - 15:30

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Sunday 31 August 2025

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

Programming, setting and operating all machine plant and tools after sufficient training in the following areas:

Quality Control - Inspecting own and others' work using conventional measuring equipment i.e. CMM, Micrometers, Vernier’s etc.
Wire eroding
Grinding – CNC & Manual
CNC 4 axis Turning
CNC 5 axis Milling
Gear cutting – Hobbing, shaping, Bevel gear on CNC and Manual equipment
Broaching
Gear Grinding
Assembly of gear boxes

You will also become responsible for the following activities in the workplace:

Ensuring housekeeping rules are followed
Assist in other areas of the business as required by their Supervisor
Comply with all Health and Safety guidelines
Continually improve the business with positive

Where you'll work

UNIT 4 TRIANGLE BUS.PARK
QUILTERS WAY
STOKE MANDEVILLE
AYLESBURY.BUCKS
HP22 5BL

Training

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

College or training organisation

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

Your 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.

Your training plan

Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Training with Milton Keynes College
Ongoing training, support and development with the employer

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4-9)
Maths (grade 4-9)
Science (grade 4-9)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

English (grade 4-9)
Maths (grade 4-9)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Organisation skills
Initiative
Good Numeracy

Other requirements

Predicted grades will be accepted. However, any offers made will be conditional, pending actual grades.

About this company

Gibbs Gears is a UK company engaged in the engineering, design and manufacture of high precision custom solutions. We provide custom gears, mechanical components, assemblies and motion control solutions to the most recognized names in the aerospace and industrial markets. We are one of the most technologically advanced and innovative precision gear and prototype transmission manufacturers in UK servicing the global Aerospace, Nuclear, Formula 1, motor sport, off highway, drivetrain, medical and commercial markets. We specialise in CNC Milling, CNC Turning, CNC Grinding and EDM whilst maintaining and vigorous quality control department conforming to ISO 9001 and AS 9100 requirements. We collaborate closely with our customers, from concept to product realisation, technical support to full prototype development.

https://www.gibbsgears.com (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

All Apprentices are expected to complete their training to level 3 standard
Apprentices who excel during this training will then be supported to continue their training with a view to them completing levels 4, 5 and 6(Degree Level with honours) at Buckinghamshire New University

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