Machining Technician

On a machining technician apprenticeship course, you will help craft intricate and precise workpieces by machining various components. These components are fashioned from metal or specialised materials, utilising traditional and CNC machine tools.

You will help play a pivotal role in this process as you’ll help decipher information, strategise their tasks, and execute various functions, including machine tool setup, operation, adjustment, and program manipulation when dealing with CNC machinery.

Additionally, you’ll help conduct thorough inspections of components and machinery, document any identified issues, and actively contribute to ongoing improvement initiatives.

What you’ll learn

On a machining technician apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Deal with engineering representations, drawings, graphical data, and specifications.
• Apply engineering mathematical and scientific principles, including calculations and conversions.
• Utilise planning techniques, managing time, optimising workflows, creating work schedules, developing work plans, organising documents, and categorising work systems.
• Understand engineering materials, their structures, properties, and characteristics, their impact on usage, and the reasons for potential material failures.
• Demonstrate awareness of engineering standards and regulations, such as British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation Standards (ISO), European Norms (EN), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Grasp the purpose and operation of tooling and work-holding devices required for complex machining tasks.
• Operate engineering machining processes, tools, and equipment, including milling, turning, grinding, Electro Discharge Machine (EDM), and gear cutting.
• Employ machining operations and techniques to manufacture intricate components.
• Practise quality assurance principles, following established practices, and maintaining accurate records.
• Employ fault-finding methods and diagnostic techniques to identify engineering and manufacturing issues, with knowledge of escalation procedures.
• Use and apply measurement, calibration, and testing equipment in the field.
• Enhance communication skills, both verbally and through knowledge of machining industry terminology.
• Handle documentation, whether electronic or paper-based.
• Implement housekeeping and maintenance practices and techniques, including planned, preventative, and predictive methods, determining frequency, and addressing reactive activities.
• Recognise organisational variations concerning their work culture, values, and production processes within the machining industry.
• Execute inspection processes, adhering to procedures, maintaining accurate documentation, and understanding escalation protocols.
• Stay updated on technological advancements and innovations in the machining sector, including Industry 4.0 and digitalisation.
• Embrace continuous improvement principles and practices, such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen.
• Comply with equality, diversity, and inclusion requirements within the workplace.
• Manage stock and services considerations, including availability, stock lead times, proper handling, stock valuation, and the faulty stock returns process.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Five GCSEs at 9-4 (or A*-C on the old grading scale), including English and Maths.
  

Assessment methods

The programme is assessed in various ways before completing the End Point Assessment including practical demonstration with questions, interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence and knowledge test.

Restrictions and requirements

• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion