Machinist Engineering Apprentice
Aerotight Manufacturing
Leicester (LE4 0AW)
Closes in 17 days (Monday 3 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 16 July 2026
Contents
Summary
Aerotight Manufacturing are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious Machinist Engineering Apprentice to join our manufacturing facility. This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn, gaining practical experience with traditional and modern manufacturing equipment while working towards a recognised engineering qualification.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£8.00-12.71 p/h dependent on experience
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
0845am – 5.30pm Mon Thurs;
0845-4pm Fri
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 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
Support the manufacture of Aerotight® self-locking nuts and precision-engineered components.
· Learn to set up, operate and monitor CNC and manufacturing machinery under supervision.
· Assist with machine maintenance, servicing and fault-finding activities.
· Conduct routine equipment inspections to ensure safe and efficient operation.
· Support production teams in achieving quality, productivity and delivery targets.
· Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
· Carry out dimensional and visual inspections using measuring equipment.
· Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
· Maintain accurate production, maintenance and quality records.
· Ensure compliance with ISO9001 quality standards and Health & Safety procedures.
· Attend apprenticeship training and complete all required coursework and assessments.
Where you'll work
4 Bradgate Street
Leicester
LE4 0AW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LEICESTER 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
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
4 days a week at Aerotight and 1 day a week at college.
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
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
About this employer
Aerotight® is a world-renowned range of all-metal self-locking nuts, engineered to deliver exceptional vibration resistance, reliability and safety in demanding applications. First developed during the Second World War for use on military vehicles, Aerotight has built a global reputation for secure fastening where conventional nuts may loosen under shock, vibration or movement. Its distinctive self-locking design provides dependable performance without the need for additional locking devices, making it trusted across engineering, automotive, aerospace, defence and industrial sectors. With a heritage rooted in precision manufacturing and proven service in critical environments, Aerotight remains recognised worldwide as a benchmark for high-quality self-locking nut technology.
http://www.apexstainless.com/aerotight (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
25 days holiday
Bonus scheme based on achieving annual production targets and profitability.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
It is expected that the apprentice will progress and gain further qualifications trained by Aerotight to become a Mechanical and Machinist Engineer overseeing production of the Aerotight product range.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LEICESTER COLLEGE
Sameera
sfaruk@leicestercollege.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043045.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Monday 3 August 2026 at 11:59pm)