Apprentice Engineer (machining)
SPS AEROSTRUCTURES LIMITED
Annesley (NG15 0DP)
Closes in 19 days (Monday 24 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 5 August 2026
Contents
Summary
PCC Aerostructures is looking to appoint an engineering apprentice to undertake a variety of engineering tasks, for example, operating and maintaining a wide range of machinery and to gain and understand the practices and techniques used by the business.
- Wage
-
£16,224 a year
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday, 07.00 to 16.00.
Friday, 07.00 to 12.00.
39 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 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
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The apprentice will be offered a robust training and development plan to support some/all the following duties:
- Cross functional development, gaining skills across multiple departments
- Machining, Maintenance, CAD CAM, Engineering, Tooling Management, Production Control, NDT, Deburr, Inspection
- The use of a variety hand tools to carry out specific processes. Files, burr blades, spanners, mallets (where approved), drills, air grinders etc.
- Use of mechanical equipment to manufacture components or tooling, which include: CNC machines, Manual milling machines, pistol drills, off-hand grinders, lathes, pillar drills etc.
- Setting, Loading & Operating Multi-Axis CNC Machines
- Carry out basic maintenance and repair work – both mechanical and electrical
- Fabrication & sheet metal work
- Cutting materials and components
- Develop a good understanding of production processes and begin to identify potential cost savings and improvements to the process
- Assist colleagues with jobs to gain knowledge, experience & skill
- Adhering to safety & quality policies & procedures
- Adhering to work to lists and instructions
- Upkeep of TPM routines
- Upkeep the working area (6S)
Other Responsibilities:
- To attend college and complete course work on time and to a high standard
- To conduct yourself in a safe and diligent manner and comply with health and safety policies and procedures
- Uphold and promote company policies and procedures, promoting those specifically to your area of work, including Equality and Diversity
- Keep up to date, so far as necessary, for the efficient executing of your job, with new legislation, procedures and techniques
- To be conversant with and participate in activities and developments relevant to the post
- To maintain strict confidentiality and discretion at all times
- To present and promote an appropriate public image in representing both Vision Apprentices and our clients
- To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required commensurate with the post
Where you'll work
Willow Drive Sherwood Business Park
Annesley
NG15 0DP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 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
- This programme is delivered via a day release delivery model which means that one day per week, your attendance is required at our Engineering Campus
- This attendance is required during term time only
- You will work with expert assessors and tutors to develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours within the profession
- You will experience a blended learning model
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Desirable 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
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
Other requirements
- This role is 18+ due to insurance purposes
About this employer
Established in 1984 is a strong engineering business with a formidable record in the production of precision-machined fabrications and assemblies for civil and military aircraft and rotorcraft. PCC Aerostructures UK sets new standards in high speed, precision machining and NDT. Operating from dedicated facilities PCC offer .
• CNC turning & mill turning
• Centerless, universal & CNC grinding
• Flexible manufacturing systems (FMS)
• High speed 3, 4, & 5-axis machining
• Horizontal, vertical, and long bed machining
• Thread-rolling
To complement fabrication, we have a team of skilled engineers to undertake structural assemblies ranging from small details to highly complex components. Product families range from munitions, fuel connectors, and brackets to large structural ribs and stringers, to complete leading edge and trailing edge solutions.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- For the right candidate who successfully completes this apprenticeship, there may be the opportunity to progress their career with the company
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE
Libby
apprenticeships@wnc.ac.uk
01623 900290
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046591.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Monday 24 August 2026 at 11:59pm)