Machining technician-Tool Room Setter Apprenticeship
SONE PRODUCTS LTD
Stanley (DH9 9QX)
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 1 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 8 October 2026
Contents
Summary
Main job objectives The Apprentice Tool Room Setter is responsible for the daily set ups of mould tools and repair work where necessary. To ensure that all injection and extrusion mould tools and ancillary equipment are correctly prepared, set and ready for production according.
- Wage
-
£15,808 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Machining technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Thursday 08.15am - 17.00. Friday 08.15 - 13.45. Monday - Thursday, 30-minute unpaid lunch break, Friday 20-min unpaid break.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 November 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
To ensure that all injection and extrusion mould tools and ancillary equipment are correctly prepared, set and ready for production according to product drawing specifications and in line with the standards laid down by the Tooling Engineer.
- Report directly to the Tooling Engineer
- Responsible for all equipment in the tool room
- Responsible for following H & S guidelines and rules
- Follow the production plan, one week in advance to ensure all tooling is correctly built up to produce the required part and is ready for production alongside Tooling Engineer.
- Perform insert changes
- Undertake routine tool repair and maintenance
- Undertake hot runner maintenance
- Polish tools to a mirror finish when required
- Manufacture, modify and service ancillary equipment when required
- Maintain and service tool room machinery
- General machine work when required
- Obtain quotes from suppliers
- Inform Coordinator of any quotes or spares required
- Aid and assist all departments with technical knowledge and expertise when required
Where you'll work
Stationfield Road Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate South Tanfield Lea
Stanley
DH9 9QX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DERWENTSIDE 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 Level 3.
The apprenticeship will be delivered using a blended approach. This will include one day per week release to Derwentside College and working within Sone Products for the remainder of the week.
Requirements
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
- Number skills
- Logical
Other requirements
Applicants must be 18 years old or above due to the nature of the role (for insurance purposes).
About this employer
SONE Products Ltd is a UK-based plastic packaging manufacturer that has been in operation for over 40 years. The company specializes in the design, manufacturing, and assembly of small plastic packs for liquids, including e-liquids and cosmetics. SONE Products is known for its exceptional customer care and has a no-compromise approach to providing market-leading products. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident in their ongoing investment in plant and machinery to support their business strategy. SONE Products Ltd is actively trading and has a registered office located in Stanley, County Durham.
Company benefits
This apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to build a broad understanding of how a plastics manufacturing business operates while gaining practical experience across a range of business functions.
The longer-term aim is to develop the apprentice into a valued and capable member of the business who can progress into a permanent position and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
The longer-term aim is to develop the apprentice into a valued and capable member of the business who can progress into a permanent position and take on increasing levels of responsibility.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DERWENTSIDE COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000057745.
Apply now
Closes in 23 days (Sunday 1 November 2026 at 11:59pm)