Apprentice CNC Machinist
PETFORD TOOLS LIMITED
West Midlands (DY2 0QU)
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 16 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 3 October 2025
Contents
Summary
As an Apprentice Miller, you will gain hands-on experience and training in CNC machining, supporting the production of high-precision injection mould tools and heavy engineering components. This is a hands-on, workshop-based role suitable for individuals who are mechanically minded and keen to develop skills in Machining and CAM.
- Wage
-
£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 7.00am - 3.30pm and Friday, 7.00am - 2.30pm
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 20 October 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
Key Responsibility, but not limited to the following
- Support and maintain Health and Safety Procedures to a high standard
- Housekeeping to be kept to a high standard and taking responsibility for your own area
- To offer flexibility within the role to ensure internal and external requirements are met
- Assist in the setting and operating of CNC machines (milling, turning, EDM, etc.) under supervision
- Gain knowledge of programming CNC machinery using Heidenhein controllers and work NC CAM Software
- Ensure quality standards are met through inspection and measurement of machined parts
- Work closely with experienced machinists, toolmakers, and engineers to develop practical skills
Personal qualities:
- Strong interest in engineering, machining, and manufacturing
- Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to work
- Ability to follow instructions accurately and work as part of a team
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Willingness to learn and take direction from experienced Machinists
- Basic understanding of maths and engineering principles
- Punctual, reliable, and a team player
Training Provided:
- Structured training in-house and with Sandwell College
- Exposure to both traditional and modern Maching techniques, including CNC, EDM, CAD/CAM, and tool design principles
Where you'll work
Peartree Lane
Dudley
West Midlands
DY2 0QU
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 Apprenticeship Standard:
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
- 4 days per week on-the-job at Petford Group
- 1 day per week off-the-job training at Sandwell College Engineering Centre, West Bromwich
Requirements
Essential 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
We are one of the Black Country’s most enterprising manufacturers. Since our formation in 1971 we have developed to become one of the country’s leading mould toolmakers.
After this apprenticeship
- Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to a full-time permanent position within the company, with opportunities for further development and progression
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 VAC1000345116.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Thursday 16 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
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