Machining Technician Apprentice
LARKSHILL ENGINEERING LTD
BIRMINGHAM (B19 3LB)
Closes in 17 days (Monday 11 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 23 July 2025
Contents
Summary
Kick‑start your career in precision engineering with Larkshill Engineering, based in Hockley, Birmingham. This hands-on Level 3 Engineering Technician Machinist Apprenticeship delivers practical experience setting and operating CNC and manual machines while contributing to real-world projects across the aerospace, automotive, and nuclear sectors.
- Wage
-
£15,311.40 to £24,761.88, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Hourly Wage £8.55 per hour
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 07:30 - 16:00
Friday, 07:30 - 15:00.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 18 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
We are looking for two motivated and hands on individuals to join our progressive team as Level 3 Engineering Technician Machinist Apprentices.
This is a great opportunity to build a career in precision engineering while learning on the job and studying towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Based in Hockley, Birmingham, the company designs, manufactures and assembles precision components, machine tools and associated work-station fixtures for the aerospace, automotive and nuclear industries.
The great majority of our apprentices have remained with us long term and have become key members of our skilled workforce making a significant contribution to high profile projects for our customers, such as for Rolls Royce, BMW and Siemens Energy.
The apprenticeship is initially for the duration of the Level 3 apprenticeship training course with the opportunity to progress to a permanent position and further opportunities within the company.
What you will be doing at work?
- Conduct safety checks and performance monitoring for machining, associated equipment and surrounding work area
- Receive, read and interpret engineering data and documentation, engineering drawings and technical data
- Contribute to or plan the days machining schedule
- Check and inspect materials to be machined to ensure that they conform to quality standards
- Identify and report any issues or faults such as incorrect grades, dimensions and thicknesses
- Plan and prepare sequence for the machining activities
- Ensure that the correct tooling, work holding, and materials are used
- This applies to conventional complex or CNC complex machining tasks
- Set up, operate, or adjust conventional machines or set up, prove and validate CNC machining equipment settings and programs for the machine tool being used
- Machine high-quality complex components using a broad range of processes
- For example, internal or external thread cutting, slots and pockets, internal or external under cutting. Also profile forms, tapered and eccentric diameters, bored holes, and tee slots
Inspect components produced. Adjust the machining equipment or program and tooling to ensure components meet quality requirements - Identify, communicate and report issues affecting machining component quality, quantity and deadlines
- Complete machining documentation at all stages of the work activity. For example, standard operational procedures, control documentation and contribution to audits
- Maintain and restore the machining work area, performing housekeeping and waste management as appropriate
- Ensure tools, unused materials and equipment are returned to a safe, clean and approved condition on completion of machining work
- Keep stakeholders for example, customers, colleagues and line managers informed about machining work
- Perform scheduled daily inspection and machine shut down or safe isolation
- Support continuous improvement activity to address business problems
Where you'll work
8 BOND STREET
HOCKLEY
BIRMINGHAM
B19 3LB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SANDWELL COLLEGE
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
Machining Technician Level 3 (A level) Apprenticeship Standard:
Over a 42 month period, you will be working at the company for four days a week and then 1 day a week you will be in attendance at Sandwell College Engineering Centre
More training information
Please note: shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a two-week unpaid work experience trial as part of the selection process
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Math and English (grade 4)
- Science- Chemistry- Physics (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
- 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
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
Enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a desire to achieve. Interest and desire to understand the workings of machinery and fixing / solving mechanical problems. Good IT skills. Comfortable working in a team and following instructions.
About this employer
Larkshill Engineering manufactures, designs and assembles precision components, machine tools and associated work station fixtures. Established for over 30 years, we have grown to become a specialist in precision manufacturing across a diverse range of industries and applications. Our principle product range includes special purpose machines, jigs, fixture, press tools, moulds and gauges for application across a wide spectrum of engineering requirements. On site facilities also exist for general machining operations, particularly where precise tolerances are required in small batch production and one-off components.
After this apprenticeship
- Upon completion of your apprenticeship: A view to permanent employment
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SANDWELL COLLEGE
Gemma Taylor
apprentice@sandwell.ac.uk
0121 667 5018
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000333495.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Monday 11 August 2025 at 11:59pm)
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