Apprentice Machinist

MARDEN EDWARDS LIMITED

Dorset (BH21 7SH)

Closes on Monday 6 July 2026

Posted on 17 February 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

The Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA) is supporting Marden Edwards in recruiting Level 3 Machining Technician Apprentices to join our manufacturing team. This is an excellent opportunity to develop strong engineering skills with a leading global machinery manufacturer.

Wage

£16,224 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Year 2 wages will rise to atleast £18,596.00

Salary will align with the National Minimum Wage for apprentices as a minimum. Age related rates apply, and exact starting salary will be discussed at interview.

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday–Thursday: 07:30–16:45 (45 minute unpaid lunch at 12:30). Friday: 07:30–12:30.

39 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

2

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

After completing initial training at SETA, the apprentice will work at Marden Edwards with one day per week at SETA. Typical duties include:

  • Operating machinery within the Manufacturing Division (machine shop).
  • Working with manual lathes and mills, cut‑off saws, CNC lathes and mills, and deburring tools.
  • Applying skills learnt during training and gaining additional in‑house instruction to become a competent engineering machinist.

Where you'll work

2 Nimrod Way
East Dorset Trade Park
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 7SH

Training

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

Training provider

SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)

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

Apprentices will complete the Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard.

Training includes:

  • A full time, practical, workshop-based period at SETA’s Apprenticeship Centre in Southampton.
  • A technical knowledge qualification, requiring day release attendance at SETA over two academic years.
  • Continued development in the workplace following initial off the job training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/5)
  • Maths (grade C/5)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Science related (e.g. physics) or a STEM-related s (grade Grade C/4-5)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Practical Aptitude
  • hands on

Other requirements

Travel to and from SETA training and workplace.

About this employer

Marden Edwards is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of overwrapping and packaging machinery, as well as coding and tracking systems. With over sixty years of expertise, more than 10,000 systems have been produced at our UK facility and supplied to over 150 countries worldwide.

https://www.mardenedwards.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

All employees are entitled to use the Pluxee Benefits Platform, which gives discounts on various items, including holidays, supermarkets, department stores, food and drink, etc.

Free parking.

Free tea or coffee during breaks. 

After this apprenticeship

We encourage apprentices who successfully complete their training to continue developing their skills within their role.

Previous apprentices have progressed into managerial and engineering positions. Career advancement depends on business needs and succession planning, but we actively support internal development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SOUTHAMPTON ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED (THE)

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014324.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 6 July 2026