Apprentice Machining Technician

Cheshire College - South & West; Birkenhead; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheshire College - South & West in Birkenhead is offering a Level 3 Machining Technician apprenticeship. You will learn on the job, set up conventional and CNC machines, and work from engineering drawings to produce precision components.

The program combines hands-on manufacturing with specialist training, requires GCSEs in Maths and Science, and leads to a full machining technician qualification after completion.

Qualifications

• GCSE in Maths (minimum grade 4/C) is required.
• GCSE in Science (minimum grade 4/C) is required.
• Apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect prior knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Set up, run and adjust conventional and CNC machines to produce complex parts.
• Read and analyse engineering drawings, specifications, and digital work instructions.
• Measure finished parts using precision equipment to ensure correct tolerances.
• Select, secure, and monitor cutting tools and work‑holding devices.
• Maintain a clean workspace and perform daily safety checks.

Skills

Analytical skills

Initiative

Reliable

Education

GCSE Maths (4/C)

GCSE Science (4/C)

Job description

The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce complex and precision work by machining components. Components are machined from metal or specialist materials using conventional or CNC machine tools. Machining Technicians interpret information and plan their activities.

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Hours Monday to Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm, Friday - 7:30am - 2pm.

40 hours a week

Thursday 17 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

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

Reporting to the senior engineer, the vacancy will require the candidate to:

• Set up, run and adjust conventional and CNC machines (milling, turning, grinding) to produce complex parts
• Read and analyse engineering drawings, specifications, and digital work instructions
• Measure finished parts using precision equipment like micrometres and vernier callipers to ensure correct tolerances
• Select, secure, and monitor cutting tools and work‑holding devices
• Maintain a clean workspace
• Perform daily safety checks
• Follow strict health and safety protocols

Where you'll work

194 PRICE STREET
BIRKENHEAD
CH41 3PR

Training

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

• 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.

The candidate will follow a Level 3 Standard Apprenticeship programme and study towards a full Level 3 Machining Technician.

This training will be structured and delivered by Cheshire College - South & West. If the candidate does not hold GCSE grades A*-C (9-4) or equivalent, they may be required to complete a Level 2 Functional Skill in the relevant subject.

Requirements

GCSE in:

• Maths (grade 4/C)

GCSE in:

Science (grade 4/C)

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

Skills

• Analytical skills
• Initiative
• Reliable

About this employer

Machfab Engineering Limited provides high quality engineering services to a wide range of clients, including the Automotive, Aerospace, Plastics, Food, Pharmaceutical, Petro-Chemical, Off-Shore and various other Manufacturing Industries.

The company offers general & precision engineering plus tooling solutions fromdesign through to manufacture.

Regional reputation has been built upon a culture of innovation, quality product development, technical excellence & customer service.

Established in 2004, we serve industries both local and afar with high specification sub-contract components.

Full-time CNC/conventional machinist role is available upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHESHIRE COLLEGE SOUTH AND WEST

[e-mail]

The reference code for this apprenticeship isVAC2000049331.