Apprentice Manual Mechinist

FORWESSUN INTERNATIONAL LTD

SPEKE (L24 9NB)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 26 February 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Forwessun is a leading, innovative company in the field of electronics. We provide the industry with state-of-the-art test solutions for assembled printed circuit boards. We would like to expand our team and have opportunities for an Apprentice Manual Machinist to support our manufacturing and assembly team.

Wage

£15,600 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 08:30 - 17:00. Friday, 08:30 - 14:30.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 26 March 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

The role will include:

  • Working within a small, workshop based, manufacturing team.
  • Use of manual miller
  • Machining tolerances and angles
  • Use of manual lathe
  • Manufacture of small custom parts
  • Working to tolerances of +/- 0.05 mm
  • Working with POM, Steel & Aluminium
  • Use of manual pillar drill
  • Manual assembly of aluminium frames;
  • Screw fitting
  • Hand drilling
  • General hand tool usage
  • Thread making
  • Ability to read engineering drawings/diagrams
  • Assembly of intricate small and large parts and some mechanical systems.
  • Working with moving mechanical parts & vacuum powered mechanical systems
  • Highly precise craftsmanship and high attention to detail
  • Being able to work independently and efficiently.
  • Ability to self-check quality of parts produced.
  • Completion of QA checks throughout the manufacturing process

Where you'll work

THE PRINTWORKS
WOODEND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
WOODEND AVENUE
SPEKE
L24 9NB

Training

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

Training provider

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

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

In-house training plus the candidate will follow a Level 3 Apprenticeship programme and study towards a Machining Technician standard. This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College – South & West. If the candidate does not hold GCSE grades A-C (9-4) or equivalent, they will be required to complete a Level 2 Functional Skill in the relevant subject.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Team working
  • Reliable
  • Eager to learn
  • Hard working

Other requirements

Due to machining complex parts, good eyesight would be beneficial. 

About this employer

Forwessun is a leading, innovative company in the field of electronics. We provide the industry with state-of-the-art test solutions for assembled printed circuit boards. Established in 1971, we have gained and maintained a global presence. Our client base includes many specialist international PCB contract manufacturers as well as world renowned household brands such as Google, BMW, Cisco, Tesla, Nokia plus many more.

Company benefits

  • Pension contribution
  • Progression opportunities
  • 20 days annual leave (rising by 1 day per year of service)

After this apprenticeship

Permanent employment upon successful completion of apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

Becky Smythe

becky.smythe@ccsw.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018009.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 12 March 2026 at 11:59pm)