Machinist Apprentice - Metallics

HAMBLE AEROSTRUCTURES LIMITED

SOUTHAMPTON (SO31 4NF)

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 6 September 2026)

Posted on 19 August 2026

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Summary

Hamble Aerostructures is seeking to recruit and train a Machinist Apprentice to work as part of an established team within the Machining/Metallics department. The role includes a range of practical tasks, and you should demonstrate flexibility and work effectively as part of a larger multi-disciplined team within a manufacturing environment.

Wage

£24,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Incremental salary reviews as your training progresses

Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Mon - Thu 6am to 2.15pm; Fri 6am to midday.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 September 2026

Duration

3 years 9 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

You will initially train within the Training School before joining a specific team, where you will work alongside experienced machinist and fitters to gain hands-on experience and develop your practical skills. Throughout the apprenticeship, you will progressively build your competence while contributing to the team's activities under appropriate supervision.

The essential responsibilities for the successful Machining Apprentice will include:

  • EHS - Promote a safe workplace environment without risk to health and minimising the impact to the environment. Ensure that all Environmental, Health and Safety policies, procedures, rules and regulations are adhered to and that all accidents and incidents are reported
  • Clocking and Booking - Ensure that all required clockings (time and attendance) and bookings (job costings) are made in an accurate and timely manner
  • Housekeeping - Ensure that workstations are kept clean and maintained, with all tools and equipment stored correctly. Uphold a clear desk policy
  • Quality - Ensure that all Quality standards, processes and procedures are complied with. All work is completed with care and attention minimising wastage
  • Cost Management - Support cost reduction and management initiatives through reducing unnecessary expenditure
  • Knowledge & Skills - Keep knowledge and training up to date for necessary operations to the best of your knowledge and belief to achieve specification and acceptable standards for your role. For example, Approved Operator (AO) stamp(s) to be kept up to date
  • Team Working - Must actively participate in team meetings and be prepared to share knowledge, coach and mentor trainees when required, be willing to be trained in other areas Any other reasonable duties that fall in line with the level of the role

The role will also include, but is not limited to:

  • Report directly to the Section Shopfloor Manager and work as part of an established team to support the safe, efficient and timely delivery of production requirements
  • Work alongside experienced colleagues and functional specialists (such as Engineering and Quality) to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for your apprenticeship
  • Read and follow work instructions, engineering drawings, specifications and manufacturing procedures using both electronic and paper-based documentation
  • Learn to interpret engineering data, technical drawings and other approved manufacturing documentation
  • Accurately complete production documentation and work route cards to maintain quality standards and product traceability
  • Follow all Environment, Health and Safety, and Quality requirements, ensuring a safe working environment at all times
  • Develop practical skills and knowledge through structured on-the-job training while working towards successful completion of the Level 3 apprenticeship
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues, communicate effectively and contribute positively as a member of the team
  • Progress towards working with increasing confidence and independence under the guidance and supervision of experienced colleagues
  • Training towards manufacturing components in a variety of materials following detailed drawing specifications to produce high quality parts for a variety of aircraft
  • Working to high tolerances, the role will train to set and operate manual and CNC machining centres to produce complaint aircraft components to the required quality, within budget and timescales
  • Select and use cutting tools, work holding equipment and measuring instruments safely and correctly

Where you'll work

KINGS AVENUE
HAMBLE-LE-RICE
SOUTHAMPTON
SO31 4NF

Training

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

Training provider

PETA LIMITED

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 Skilled Machinist role combines hands-on training with theoretical learning to build a strong foundation in machining and engineering principles.
You will be studying a Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship. Throughout your Apprenticeship with Hamble Aerostructures, you will be supported by your company mentor and your PETA Learning and Development Coach.
You will attend PETA’s Havant training centre for off-the-job training, one day per week for 39 months of the apprenticeship.
Overall duration 45 months.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Good numeracy and literacy
  • Good IT skills
  • Good attention to detail
  • Planning and problem solving
  • Strong work ethic
  • Positive attitude to succeed
  • Excellent communication skills

Other requirements

  • Shift working required
  • There are certain aspects of this role that require mechanical / manual lifting of parts so some lifting will be required and you must be capable of undertaking activities with appropriate assistance if required

  • Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security

  • Due to insurance requirements, applicants for this apprenticeship must be aged 18 or over at the time of starting the role

About this employer

Hamble Aerostructures Limited is a leading supplier of major civil and military aircraft structures in hi-tech composites, metallic, acrylics and hybrid structures. Hamble has a long history in the aerospace industry, first established in 1937.

Our capabilities enable us to assume full responsibility for the programs over the Product Life Cycle: From conceptual and detail design, testing & certification to serial production and in-service support.

https://www.aernnova.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 26 days holiday
  • 4x salary life cover
  • Pension Scheme
  • On-Site Parking (first come first served)
  • Cycle to Work Scheme

After this apprenticeship

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

At Hamble Aerostructures, an apprenticeship is the start of a long-term career. On successful completion of your Level 3 apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to become a skilled fitter within either our Transparencies or Military Assembly operations.

As your experience grows, you will have the opportunity to develop your technical expertise by working on a wide range of products, including more complex and specialist builds. We value skilled craftspeople and support our employees to continue developing their knowledge and capabilities throughout their careers.

Many of our employees choose to build long and successful careers with us. Our average length of service is 14 years, reflecting the rewarding work, supportive environment and opportunities to develop as a skilled engineering professional. In fact, our current Production Director began their career as an apprentice, demonstrating the long-term opportunities available at Hamble Aerostructures.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PETA LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048927.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Sunday 6 September 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.