Engineering Apprentice – CNC & Machining Technician

SALESMADE LTD

Buckinghamshire (HP20 1DQ)

Closes in 16 days (Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 29 September 2025

---

Summary

Ready to get stuck in and learn real skills? Join Salesmade Ltd in Aylesbury as an Engineering Apprentice – CNC & Machining Technician and kickstart your career in precision engineering!

• Wage:

  £18,000 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Annual Salary

• Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 5 January 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

At Salesmade Ltd, you’ll train on powerful workshop machines like manual mills, lathes, saws, and even high-tech CNC routers.

You’ll be part of a skilled team, learning how to:

• Read cool engineering drawings and turn them into real parts
• Transform raw materials into precision components
• Keep machines running like a dream
• Check product quality and make sure everything’s spot on
• Level up to programming and operating CNC machines

Every day is different, and you’ll be gaining real-world experience that sets you up for a future in engineering and manufacturing.

Where you'll work

Unit 18-19, Farmbrough Close
Stocklake Industrial Estate
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 1DQ

Training

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

Training provider

MILTON KEYNES 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

You'll be enrolled in the Machining Technician Apprenticeship delivered by Milton Keynes College, specifically at their Innovation & Technology Centre. Typically, one day per week at college, four days per week on-site at Salesmade Ltd.

• Work with experienced engineers and technicians
• Get hands-on with real machines and real projects
• Learn how to turn raw materials into precision parts
• Build confidence and skills in a live manufacturing environment

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

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

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Problem solver
• Good communicator
• Team player
• Precision focused

Other requirements

Salary - 16,000-18,000 Your own transport is a bonus! You must have: Lived in the UK, a British Overseas Territory, or Crown Dependencies (e.g. Channel Islands, Isle of Man) for at least 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. The right to work in the UK. You can still apply if you have higher qualifications (like A-levels or a degree), as long as they’re not in the same subject area as the apprenticeship.

About this employer

Salesmade is a top manufacturer working on exciting projects—from custom aluminium parts to greenhouses for Kew Gardens! You’ll be part of a team that builds real stuff that makes a difference.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship, a permanent role may be offered. This is more than just a job—it’s your launchpad into a skilled, future-proof career.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000344219.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 11:59pm)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.