Apprentice Machinist, Setter Programmer

LORDGATE ENGINEERING LTD

HUNTINGDON (PE29 6ED)

Closes on Friday 28 August 2026

Posted on 16 July 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

We’re looking for a driven and enthusiastic individual to join Lordgate Engineering Ltd as a CNC Machining Apprentice. Learn to manufacture components using advanced machining equipment, gain recognised qualifications, and work alongside skilled engineers while earning and developing valuable industry skills.

Wage

£18,200 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Weekly pay
Various bonuses paid through the year

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8am-4:30pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 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

Start your engineering career with Lordgate Engineering as a CNC Machining Apprentice. Learn to manufacture components using advanced machining equipment, gain recognised qualifications, and work alongside skilled engineers while earning and developing valuable industry skills

As a CNC Machining Apprentice, you will work within our Machine Shop, learning how to manufacture components.

Your duties may include:

  • Setting up and operating CNC milling and turning machines
  • Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications
  • Selecting and preparing materials, tooling, and fixtures
  • Using measuring equipment such as micrometers, verniers, and gauges to inspect parts
  • Carrying out routine machine maintenance and housekeeping activities
  • Supporting continuous improvement and quality initiatives
  • Working safely in accordance with company procedures and health and safety standards

Where you'll work

1 STONEHILL
STUKELEY MEADOWS INDUSTRIAL ES
HUNTINGDON
PE29 6ED

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL 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

The apprentice will attend college at Cambridge Regional college and have a work mentor, where you will receive hands-on training from experienced machinists and engineers.

More training information

The Apprentice can be sent on a programming course if required as well.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 or C)
  • Maths (grade 4 or 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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

Role may include the odd heavy lifting. 

About this employer

Lordgate Engineering Ltd, a trusted name in precision engineering and manufacturing.

With over 40 years of experience, we specialize in high-quality fabricated metal products, serving industries such as rail, aerospace, and defence. Our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence ensures that we deliver customized solutions tailored to your needs.

Expertise in Welding & Fabrication
Advanced Engineering & Design Services
Sustainable Manufacturing Practices
Reliable Supply Chain & Project Management

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be an opportunity to progress into a permanent CNC Machinist position within the Machine Shop. With further experience and training, you could develop into roles such as:

  • Senior CNC Machinist
  • CNC Programmer
  • Quality engineering
  • Production engineering

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043182.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 28 August 2026