Apprentice Machinist (Level 3 Engineering)

Summary

Join the team at QMS as an Apprentice Machinist in Summer 2026! Apprentices will work with various machine tools, different materials and both large & small components, learning the procedures and techniques by working with and observing experienced Machinists. Apprentices have on-the-job training and day release to Loughborough College.

Wage

£16,640 a year

Annual pay review plus annual bonus after one years’ continuous service

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8.00am to 4:30pm. Daily Breaks: 30 minute unpaid lunch break and 2 x15 minutes paid tea breaks.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

2

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 be expected to become proficient in:

• Setting and operating CNC machine tools (in line with your capability/ progression).
• Training may also be provided on manual turning, dependant on business needs.

Working within the Machine Shop you will be required to:

• Read and understand engineering drawings.
• Use various hand and power tools.
• Become familiar with the use of a variety of measuring equipment, micrometers etc.
• De-burr/polish finished parts.
• Maintain the machine shop and machines as required.
• You will also work alongside / observe other engineering areas of the company including inspection and design (CAD) to broaden and underpin your general engineering knowledge.

Where you'll work

BARDON HILL
COALVILLE
LEICESTER
LE67 1TH

Training

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

Training provider

LOUGHBOROUGH COLLEGE

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• 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

• Attendance to Loughborough College one day per week, term time only.
• Visits in the workplace from dedicated Trainer/Assessor.
• On-the-job training.
• Off-the-job training.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

5 GCSE's including Maths, English and Science (grade C / 4 or equivalent)

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
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

Please ensure you are able to travel to the workplace in Coalville and Loughborough College before applying.