Advanced Apprentice - Inserts Engineering

CooperVision; Southampton; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Healthcare cover

Life assurance

Wellness Platform access

Job summary

CooperVision is offering an Advance Apprentice – Inserts Manufacturing in Hamble. You will join an 4-year Engineering Apprenticeship Programme, earning qualifications including Engineering Operative Level 2 while working with advanced tooling and precision equipment.

You’ll learn to set up and run CNC lathes, perform metrology, and contribute to continuous improvement in a high-tech environment. Internal applicants only.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (English and Maths) required; engineering interests encouraged.
• Further study in engineering or science is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience in tooling or manufacturing is beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture high-precision tooling to exacting standards.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC lathes and workshop equipment.
• Use metrology equipment for inspection and quality checks.
• Develop practical machining and toolmaking skills with manual and automated processes.
• Support production by delivering high-quality components safely and on schedule.
• Contribute ideas to improve manufacturing processes and drive improvement.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Enthusiasm to learn

Problem solving

Basic IT skills

Education

GCSEs including English and Maths

Further study in Engineering advantageous

Tools

Optoform lathe

Hardinge lathe

CNC machining

Metrology equipment

Job description

Job Description

Job title: Advance Apprentice – Inserts Manufacturing

Department: Engineering

Location: Hamble

GLS: TE1

Working hours: Monday – Friday 37.5 hours a week

Internal applicants Only

Job summary – What to expect

Join our exciting 4 year Engineering Apprenticeship Programme and build a career in advanced manufacturing while earning nationally recognised qualifications, including an Engineering Operative Level 2 certification.

As an Apprentice, you'll gain hands on experience working with cutting edge technology, precision tooling, and specialist manufacturing processes that help produce world class contact lenses. You'll develop skills in CNC machining, tool making, metrology, fault diagnosis, and quality inspection, while learning from experienced engineers in a highly technical environment.

Throughout the programme, you will

• Manufacture and maintain high-precision optical tooling to exacting quality standards.
• Learn to set up, operate, and troubleshoot CNC lathes and workshop equipment.
• Use advanced measuring and inspection technology, including microscopes and metrology systems.
• Develop practical machining and toolmaking skills using both manual and automated processes.
• Support production by delivering high-quality components safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Contribute ideas that help improve manufacturing processes and drive continuous improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop specialist engineering skills, work with industry-leading technology, and become part of a team dedicated to innovation and manufacturing excellence.

Knowledge, Skills and training to be provided throughout the apprenticeship

• Set up, programme and operate advanced CNC machinery, including Optoform and Hardinge lathes, to manufacture precision optical tooling.
• Produce tooling inserts and plugs to extremely high tolerances and optical quality standards.
• Carry out inspections using advanced metrology equipment, including interferometers, shadowgraphs, microscopes and radius measurement systems.
• Use precision measuring instruments such as micrometres, gauges and vernier callipers to verify component accuracy.
• Operate specialist equipment including laser etching, laser systems and EDM machinery.
• Support equipment validation, calibration and continuous improvement activities.
• Perform fitting, assembly and basic pneumatic system work as required.
• Use hand tools and finishing techniques to achieve exceptional surface quality.
• Produce technical documentation and reports to support manufacturing and quality activities.
• Work safely, collaboratively and flexibly to meet production, quality and business objectives.

What the working environment looks like

• The job operates within a tool room that contains 15-20 different machines. This is an air-conditioned, temperature-controlled environment where standards of cleanliness must be maintained to high levels.
• The job holder must wear protective clothing in the form of safety glasses, overall and safety shoes for certain function.
• There is a controlled exposure to cleaning chemicals and solvents.
• Controlled exposure to working with high voltage and high current equipment.
• Controlled exposure to working with class IV laser system.
• The work involves high precision engineering with very fine tolerances and is therefore mentally demanding.
• Dynamically changing environment due to technology developments across cooper vision global.
• The understanding of health and safety requirements especially relating to lathe machinery and laser, (class3A-4) systems.

A full job description is available upon request.

Experience & Education

We're looking for a motivated and career focused individual with a hands on approach to learning and a genuine passion for engineering. You'll be eager to develop new skills, work collaboratively as part of a team, and take pride in delivering high-quality work.

To be successful, you'll have:

• A keen interest in engineering, manufacturing, and high-precision machinery.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing work to a high standard.
• A positive attitude, enthusiasm to learn, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team.
• Basic IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (Grade 5/C or above), including English Language and Maths.
• Further study in an Engineering or Scientific discipline would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Previous experience in tooling, injection moulding, Optoform lathes, or a manufacturing environment is beneficial but not required.
• Knowledge of contact lens manufacturing or development processes would be advantageous.

This apprenticeship is ideal for someone who is ambitious, curious, and ready to combine academic learning with practical engineering experience to build a rewarding long-term career.

Internal applicants Only

What we offer

You will receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, healthcare cover, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

We are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we will give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect

As a CooperVision employee, you will be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success.

Internal applicants Only