Apprentice Machinist
ULTRA I&C LIMITED
Hertfordshire (HP23 4JX)
Closes in 8 days (Thursday 13 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 31 July 2026
Contents
Summary
The apprentice will support the Machine Shop in the manufacture of precision components used in satellite communication systems, while learning to work safely, accurately and in accordance with company and industry-wide quality standards.
- Wage
-
£16,128 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Annual Salary
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
72 hours over 2-week period working 9 days in a fortnight.
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 31 August 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
What You'll Be Doing As part of our Machine Shop team, you'll learn how to:
- Set up and operate both Manual and CNC milling and turning machines
- Read and interpret engineering drawings and CAD models
- Manufacture precision components to exact specifications
- Use professional measuring equipment including: Micrometres Vernier callipers CMM inspection equipment
- Work safely in a modern engineering environment
- Learn about tooling, materials, machine programming and machining techniques
- Develop problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Support Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and 5S activities
- Work alongside engineers, machinists, quality teams and production specialists
- Take part in rotations across different departments to understand how the business operates
What We're Looking For We'd love to hear from you if you:
- Have a genuine interest in engineering, manufacturing or how things work
- Enjoy practical, hands-on activities
- Have strong attention to detail
- Are reliable, motivated and keen to learn
- Can work well as part of a team
- Are willing to obtain UK Security Clearance if required
Where you'll work
9 Icknield Way Industrial Estate
Icknield Way
Tring
Hertfordshire
HP23 4JX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
MILTON KEYNES 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
Machining Technician Apprenticeship You'll combine:
Practical workplace learning Expert mentoring College study (1 day per week)
By the end of the programme, you'll have the skills and experience needed for a successful career in engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 9-5)
- English (grade 9-4)
- Science (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
- Numeracy
- Attention to Detail
- Reliable
- Punctual
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
Other requirements
How will you get to site and to college. The employers location is not particularly close to any public transport routes so please bear in mind that you may need access to your own or private vehicle or already be local to get there. If a high volume of candidates are received, the apprenticeship advert may close early. If interested, please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We work a 9-day fortnight, meaning you'll have every other Friday off. More time to relax, socialise or pursue your hobbies.
About this employer
Ultra I&C delivers crypto solutions, mission software and tactical communications built to keep operations moving. Our AI-enabled solutions secure, move and make sense of data across all domains—powering decision speed and giving operators at the edge the clarity to act and the confidence to win. Trusted by defense forces and allies worldwide for decades.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Possible full time role for the right candidate on completion of apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
Ross Spencer
Apprenticeships@mkcollege.ac.uk
01908 637056
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045755.
Apply now
Closes in 8 days (Thursday 13 August 2026 at 11:59pm)