Machining Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3)
DYER ENGINEERING LTD.
Co Durham (DH9 7RU)
Closes in 13 days (Friday 6 March 2026)
Posted on 20 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Master how to produce high precision components using CNC and manual machining techniques. You’ll read engineering drawings, set up and operate machines, work to tight tolerances and carry out quality checks, while building a strong understanding of materials, tooling and manufacturing processes.
- Wage
-
£16,933.80 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Annual salary increase in June.
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Wednesday: College, 9am - 4.30pm
Thursday: Work, 7.30am - 4.30pm
Friday: Work, 7.30am - 12.30pm
(Subject to change)
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- 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
- Production: Understanding core manufacturing processes and how components are made on the shopfloor
- Quality Control: Learning how industry leading standards are applied, measured and maintained
- Engineering Solutions: Developing real-world, problem-solving skills by supporting engineering challenges and continuous improvement projects
Where you'll work
Unit 3 & 5
Morrison Road Industrial Estate
Annfield Plain Stanley
Co Durham
DH9 7RU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
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.
You’ll join a multi award winning programme, where you’ll be matched with your own mentor, supported through regular reviews and guided by clear quarterly milestones.
From day one, you’re part of our team and will work on real world projects across key industries including energy, rail, defence and processing, supporting global customers and learning from our experienced engineers along the way.
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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
About this employer
Founded in 1977 and based in the heart of the UK’s advanced manufacturing region, we collaborate with global brands to deliver industry leading engineering solutions.
After this apprenticeship
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is expected to progress into a permanent role as a Machining Technician/CNC Machinist within the business (subject to performance and business needs).
With further experience and development, career progression may include:
- Senior Machining Technician
- CNC Programmer
- Multi-skilled Machinist (milling, turning, grinding, gear cutting)
- Production/Manufacturing Team Leader
- Quality Inspector or Quality Engineer
- Process Improvement/Continuous Improvement Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer (with further study)
Apprentices will gain highly transferable skills relevant to the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector, including Aerospace, Automotive, Nuclear and Construction. This opens opportunities to work across a wide range of precision engineering environments.
We actively encourage continued professional development, including higher-level technical training, specialist programming skills and potential progression to HNC/HND or degree-level engineering qualifications.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DYER ENGINEERING LTD.
Sara Churchill
sara.churchill@dyer.co.uk
07842448510
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017013.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Friday 6 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.