Manufacturing Technician Apprentice
Encocam Ltd
Stukeley Meadows Industrial Estate (PE29 6DR)
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 2 August 2026)
Posted on 17 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Encocam in Huntington are looking for a Manufacturing Technician Apprentice, you will undergo a structured, hands-on training program designed to turn you into a specialist in panel mechanics and precision machining. You will learn the exact science behind core-to-skin bonding, vacuum consolidation, and how to program and operate CNC routers.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday, 07:30-17:00. Friday, 07:30-11:30.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 10 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 9 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
Encocam has evolved into a global engineering and manufacturing leader specialising in impact mitigation, energy absorption, advanced composite structures and lightweight core technologies. This evolution has been driven by sustained investment in engineering capability, testing infrastructure, manufacturing facilities and skilled personnel, enabling Encocam to support customers across safety-critical and performance-driven industries.
They are now looking for two apprentices to join their team.
The successful candidates will work as part of the employers Bespoke Composite Panels division - please see the link https://bespokecompositepanels.com
What will you be doing in the role?
Aluminium Honeycomb & Skin Preparation:
- Learn to handle, degrease, and chemically or mechanically prepare material surfaces to ensure optimal surface energy for adhesive bonding.
- Master the handling of an array of difference composite core types such as Aluminium honeycomb, learning how to cut, splice, and manipulate them before lay-up.
Structural Bonding & Assembly:
- Understand the properties of structural film adhesives and paste adhesives.
- Learn to assemble the "sandwich" stack (Skin-Adhesive-Core-Adhesive-Skin) according to strict engineering blueprints.
- Gain expertise in vacuum bagging techniques, pressure application, and monitoring oven/heated press curing cycles.
CNC Router Machining & Post-Processing:
- Train on the industrial CNC routers to safely perform panel profiling, pocketing, and drilling.
- Learn to set up workpiece holding (vacuum beds, fixtures) specifically tailored for composite panels and structures to prevent vibration or damage and ensure accuracy.
- Progressively learn to operate CNC machinery, select correct tooling, and assist with basic CAD/CAM programming.
Panel Finishing & Hardware Integration:
- Learn bespoke post-processing techniques, including edge-closing, potting, and installing inserts or edge members as part of the composite structure.
- Conduct visual and dimensional quality checks using vernier calipers, micrometres, and depth gauges to ensure compliance with client specifications.
Engineering Design & CAD Exposure:
- Gain hands-on exposure to industry-standard design software (SolidWorks) to understand how 3D digital models are built.
- Learn to interpret and create technical engineering drawings, mastering geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) to ensure components meet strict standards.
- Work alongside our design team to learn how bespoke sandwich panels are engineered from concept to physical reality, understanding how material selection affects panel weight, stiffness, and CNC machining limitations.
You will be required to attend the Bedford College campus from September 2026.
Where you'll work
22 Stonehill
Stukeley Meadows Industrial Estate
PE29 6DR
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BEDFORD 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
Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- Science (grade 9 - 4)
- English (grade 9 - 4)
- Maths (grade 9 - 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
- hardworking
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
Other requirements
Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of the Bedford College Apprenticeship Recruitment Team. Please note this is part of the recruitment process and must be completed in order for your application to be progressed to the next stage.
Please consider how you will get to work and the Bedford College Campus.
Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.
About this employer
This Apprentice role is to work for our Bespoke Composites Panel division (https://bespokecompositepanels.com/) which is a global manufacturer of composite panels specializing in aluminium honeycomb core technology. With a worldwide reputation, BCP works closely with customers to solve engineering challenges, design, and manufacture composite panels and vacuum tables which exceed expectations.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Encocam Ltd have a proven track record in developing the skills and talents of their apprentices, who go on to have flourishing careers within the business. The invaluable skills and qualifications obtained throughout the apprenticeship journey have also enabled previous apprentices to move into different roles and departments.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BEDFORD COLLEGE
Julie Carter
jcarter@bedford.ac.uk
(01536) 413508
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042345.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Sunday 2 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.