Machining Technician Apprentice (Level 3 Engineering)

Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to become a Machining Technician Apprentice with SPS Technologies based in Leicester. Apply now for a Summer 2026 start!

Wage

£17,902.56 a year

Fantastic starting salaries offered. Salary dependent on age, between £17,902.56 - £25,574.58 per annum

Training course

Machining technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Thursday, 8.00am – 4:30pm. Friday, 8.00am - 1.00pm.

38 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Duration

3 years 9 months

Positions available

4

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 be able to use measuring gauges i.e. micrometre, vernier and various other measuring equipment (clocks, setting pins etc)
• To be able to set-up and operate various machines and to achieve production targets in a safe and competent manner within guidelines of company policies for quality and safety
• To read and understand engineering drawings
• Comply with industry health, safety and environmental working practices and regulations
• To be an integral team member in continuous improvement initiatives

Where you'll work

Troon industrial Area
191 Barkby Road
Leicester
LE4 9HX

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

• Primarily based in the workplace
• Attendance to Loughborough College one day per week, term time only
• Diarised visits 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
• Organisation skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Loughborough College will be shortlisting applications on behalf of SPS Technologies. Please check your emails for updates. Loughborough College reserves the right to withdraw this vacancy before the end date, following consultation with the employer.