CNC Machining Apprentice
BLOOCHIP LTD
SHILDON (DL4 2RA)
Closes in 29 days (Thursday 8 January 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 December 2025
Contents
Summary
A CNC Machining Apprentice learns to program, set up, and operate CNC machines to create precise parts from technical drawings. They focus on safety, quality checks, tool setting, and problem-solving, combining on-the-job training with college study. Key duties include CAD/CAM, calculating speeds/feeds, and inspecting components.
- 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 to Friday 9am to 5pm, may work occasional overtime on evenings and weekends
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 13 April 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
Key Responsibilities
Machine Operation: Set up and run CNC lathes, mills, or other machines to produce parts.
Programming/Setting: Load programs, set cutting tools, feeds, speeds, and validate machine settings.
Quality Control: Measure and check finished parts against specifications and identify deviations.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Perform routine machine upkeep, diagnose faults, and resolve issues.
Documentation: Interpreting technical documents, follow procedures, report problems, and record progress.
Learning: Attend college/training, learn from experienced machinists, and develop technical knowledge.
Core Skills & Knowledge
Technical: Reading engineering drawings, using measuring tools, basic math (speeds/feeds/angles).
Soft Skills: Teamwork, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, self-motivation, and a strong safety focus.
Industry Standards: Understanding HSE, COSHH, risk assessments, and lean manufacturing principles.
Where you'll work
UNIT 8
DABBLE DUCK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
SHILDON
DL4 2RA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NC GROUP LTD
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
The apprenticeship will involve day release for training at NC Group Ltd, with the remaining days spent working at Bloochip.
More training information
NC Group Ltd is a specialist independent training provider with a strong focus on Engineering and Manufacturing apprenticeships. Their programs are designed to be highly practical and bespoke, ensuring the training is directly relevant to your role at Bloochip.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Punctuality and Reliability
- Attention to Detail
- Numeracy and Literacy skills
About this employer
Bloochip Ltd operates as a progressive engineering service company, established in 2012, functioning as a comprehensive CNC machining facility and engineering consultancy with integrated design and manufacturing capability. The company consistently delivers superior value by either producing component parts with the most efficient cycle time or employing the latest techniques in designing fixtures.
After this apprenticeship
Successful completion of the apprenticeship is intended to lead to a permanent position as a Skilled Technician. From this foundation, you will have the opportunity to pursue Higher Qualifications (HNC/HND/Degree Apprenticeships) and progress into high-value roles such as CNC Programmer or Quality Engineer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NC GROUP LTD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000004208.
Apply now
Closes in 29 days (Thursday 8 January 2026 at 11:59pm)
Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.