Machining Technician Apprentice

PENNY & GILES CONTROLS LIMITED

CHRISTCHURCH (BH23 6HH)

Closes in 29 days (Sunday 15 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

Apprentices will receive training from industry professionals in one of Curtiss-Wright’s key segments. Apprentices will have the opportunity to work across multiple departments within the organisation, allowing valuable hands-on experience with the machining processes.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 7.45am- 4.15pm Friday 7.45am- 12:45pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

4 years

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

  • Provide support to various departments/department leads during the training period completing work assignments as directed by the local Supervisor
  • Recruited as entry level and supported through a local educational institute, and Apprentice will spend 1 day per week completing College training
  • Learn about products, processes, machinery, systems, culture and people through completion of the apprenticeship scheme
  • Provides reports, analysis, and statistical data as required by local management
  • May provide support and guidance to other Apprentices and to the Manager, Human Resources in delivering induction/hiring activities, presentations etc. 
  • Under general supervision, performs routine and semi-routine assignment planning, layout, set up, operating and making tool adjustments for various types of manual, numerically controlled and computerised machine shop equipment
  • Under general supervision, works from blueprints, process sheets and sketches to perform production tasks, which may include the cutting and shaping of metal to precision dimensions
  • May communicate directly with engineers to understand the purpose of a part assembly
  • Checks and inspects machining operations against specified tolerances
  • May identify and repair minor machine malfunctions

Where you'll work

CURTISS-WRIGHT
15 ENTERPRISE WAY
CHRISTCHURCH
BH23 6HH

Training

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

Training provider

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, 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

Machining Technician Level 3 

An apprentice attends Day Relase at Bournemouth and Poole College to complete their apprenticeship qualifications. The apprenticeship training course is a total of 4 years. An apprentice will support different departments and work in a supervised environment for the majority of their training period. They will start in September of each year and progress through the salary scales, which are linked to the successful achievements of each year of their college course. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade A* - C)
  • Maths (grade A* - C)
  • Science (grade A* - C)

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
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working

Other requirements

You must have good practical skills and work carefully and methodically.

Applicants should demonstrate an active interest in working in an engineering environment. 

About this employer

Curtiss-Wright is a long-standing company who were at the forefront of aviation. Since its early days in aviation, the Company has diversified into many areas and has grown through acquisition. The role will typically support a business unit and provide a comprehensive service to an established function.

After this apprenticeship

  • Upon successful completion of the course and end point assessment, you can expect to continue in machining or continue your studies

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014905.

Apply now

Closes in 29 days (Sunday 15 March 2026 at 11:59pm)