Mechanical Engineering Apprentice
J E B TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Mildenhall (IP28 7AS)
Closes on Friday 1 May 2026
Posted on 5 February 2026
Contents
Summary
UTM Limited are the number 1 manufacturer and supplier of Training Ammunition. Supplying military and law enforcement in over 70 countries worldwide, UTM are constantly developing new training ammunition products. The apprenticeship may involve working in both companies.
- Wage
-
£16,965 a year
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
4
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
Main roles and responsibilities:
- Training in a wide range of mechanical engineering skills
- Operating machine tools including milling machines, lathes and surface grinders
- Reading component drawings
- Working to tight tolerances
- Providing engineering support to production departments
- Working closely with other apprentices, technicians and supervisors
Where you'll work
UTM Ltd, Hampstead Avenue
Mildenhall
IP28 7AS
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST SUFFOLK 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
- The learner will be studying the Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard qualification
- Day release to West Suffolk College
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent 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
- Attention to detail
- Number skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
Other requirements
This is a technical role requiring good attention to detail and the ability to work to tight tolerances and deadlines. Candidates should be aware that there may be occasional overtime and shift work. Candidates are responsible for arranging their own transport to Mildenhall and Bury St Edmunds.
About this employer
UTM Limited are the number 1 manufacturer and supplier of Training Ammunition. Supplying military and law enforcement in over 70 countries worldwide, UTM are constantly developing new training ammunition products. Being part of a multi-national group of companies, our Mildenhall facility is shared with a further company which develops and manufactures medical devices from initial concept through to full production
After this apprenticeship
Potential future roles with the group include Toolmaking, design, development, production, wire/spark erosion, CNC, technical sales and maintenance. Previous apprentices work throughout the group in senior technical and management roles.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013273.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 1 May 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.