Fabrication and Machining Technician Apprentice
BROOKS FORGINGS LTD
Lye (DY9 8SZ)
Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 9 September 2025
Contents
Summary
Become a Level 3 Fabrication and Machining Technician Apprentice at Brooks Forgings Ltd. Gain hands-on experience with CNC and manual machines, learn tool-making and fabrication skills, and study one day per week at college. This 3.5-year apprenticeship prepares you for a career in advanced manufacturing.
- Wage
-
£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am – 4:30pm. Friday: 7:30am – 12:30pm.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 22 September 2025
- 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
- Work to engineering drawings and follow verbal instructions
- Repair and service tooling, gauging, and manufacturing equipment
- Learn tool-making and machining skills, including bench work, turning, milling, grinding, and CNC machining
- Gain experience with CAD, quality control, and continuous improvement
- Use a variety of tools and machinery safely and methodically
- Apply health & safety procedures and maintain an organised workspace
- Support the team in manufacturing and fabrication tasks
Where you'll work
Brooks Forgings Ltd
Bald S Lane
Lye
DY9 8SZ
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
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Training schedule
Duration: 3 years 6 months (42 months).
Work vs College:
- On-the-job training: 4 days per week at the employer’s site
- Off-the-job training: 1 day per week at Sandwell College
Year 1 – Foundation & Core Skills
On-the-job:
- Introduction to the workplace, safety procedures, and health & safety standards
- Basic tool handling, hand tools, and machinery operation
- Shadowing experienced machinists and technicians
- Simple machining tasks under supervision
Off-the-job (College):
- Engineering health and safety
- Introduction to engineering drawings and specifications
- Basic CAD skills
- Workshop maths and measurement
- Introduction to quality procedures
Year 2 – Developing Technical Competence
On-the-job:
- Operating CNC and conventional machines under supervision
- Tool maintenance, setup, and calibration
- Performing quality checks and inspections
- Using technical software (CAD/CAM) for part production
- Participation in small process improvement projects
Off-the-job (College):
- Intermediate CAD and technical drawing
- CNC programming and basic robotics
- Quality assurance and inspection techniques
- Process engineering principles
- Continuous improvement methods
Year 3 – Advanced Skills & Independence
On-the-job:
- Operating a wide range of machines independently
- Tool making, fabrication, and precision machining
- Producing components to specifications
- Troubleshooting, fault diagnosis, and problem solving
- Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives
Off-the-job (College):
- Advanced CNC programming and additive manufacturing
- Technical report writing and documentation
- Advanced quality control techniques
- Workplace project assignments
- Preparation for End Point Assessment (EPA)
End Point Assessment (EPA) Preparation – Final Months
- Practical demonstration of skills on CNC/manual machines
- Professional discussion based on portfolio of evidence
- Multiple-choice knowledge test covering theory, safety, and engineering principles
- Feedback and guidance from workplace mentors and college tutors
Support & Mentoring
- Assigned workplace mentor to guide daily tasks
- College tutor support for technical and academic learning
- Regular progress reviews with employer and training provider
- Access to online resources and e-portfolios for evidence collection
More training information
Training Structure:
- On-the-job training: 4 days per week at Brooks Forgings Ltd, gaining hands-on experience in tool-making, machining, and fabrication
- Off-the-job training: 1 day per week at Sandwell College, covering theoretical knowledge such as engineering principles, CAD, quality control, and health & safety
- Progress Reviews: Apprentices’ progress will be regularly assessed to ensure development of both practical and theoretical skills
- Support and Mentoring: Apprentices will work alongside experienced technicians and engineers, receiving guidance and feedback throughout the course
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
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
About this employer
Brooks Forgings Ltd is a leading UK manufacturer specializing in hot forged, machined, and fabricated metal components. Established in 1960 by Joseph Clive Brooks, the company has grown into one of Europe's most diversified manufacturing firms, offering over 20 on-site processes across three West Midlands site
After this apprenticeship
- For the right candidate to progress as a full-time employee
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SANDWELL COLLEGE
apprentice@sandwell.ac.uk
0121 667 5018
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000341221.
Apply now
Closes in 7 days (Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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