CNC Machining Apprentice
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Company: SOUTH MIDLANDS COMMUNICATIONS CO LTD
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Location: EASTLEIGH, SO53 4BY
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Type: Apprenticeship
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Salary: £18,000.00 per year
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Sector: Engineering and manufacturing
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Ref: NAS-2000023609
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Application Deadline Date: 01/05/2026
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Start Date: 07/09/2026
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Positions Available: 1
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Working Week: Monday to Thursday 07:00– 16:00. Friday 07:30– 12:00. A total of 38.5 hours per week.
Brief Description
The Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA) is supporting SMC Group recruit a CNC Machining Apprentice to join their production team and develop within the company. You will be trained to become a highly skilled machinist, manufacturing complex parts and components from specialist materials using CNC machine tools.
Training to be Provided
Apprentices will undertake a Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship Standard programme This will include a full-time period of practical workshop based ‘off-the-job’ training at SETA’s Apprenticeship Centre in Southampton.
You will also undertake a knowledge qualification (depending on your prior attainments) where you will be required to attend SETA one day a week over two academic years. After your initial training at SETA, you will be with your employer working on developing your skills in relation to your job role.
Future Prospects
After successfully completing the apprenticeship, the apprentice would be offered a permanent role within the production team, subject to performance.
In the initial stages, they would continue to develop their skills as a CNC Machining Technician, gaining further experience in setting, operating, and programming CNC machinery, as well as working with a wider range of materials, components, and processes.
As experience and competence grow, there is an opportunity to progress into a Senior CNC Technician role. This would involve taking on more complex machining work, supporting process improvements, troubleshooting issues, and acting as a technical point of contact within the team.
There may also be opportunities to progress into a Team Leader position should vacancies arise in the future. In this role, individuals would take on additional responsibility for coordinating work, supporting team members, and helping to maintain quality and productivity standards.
In addition to formal progression, experienced technicians can further develop by mentoring new apprentices, supporting their training and development. This provides a valuable leadership pathway and helps build coaching and supervisory skills.
Overall, the apprenticeship provides a strong platform for long-term career in CNC machining, with opportunities to increase responsibility, develop specialist skills, and take on leadership or mentoring roles over time.
Vacancy Detail
Learning & Development
- Completing a recognised apprenticeship qualifying as a Machining Technician
- Working towards achieving required competencies, skills and behaviours within agreed timescales
Manufacturing & CNC Machining
- Learning how to check materials before starting work
- Becoming competent using technical information such as drawings, models and work order cards
- Setting up a range of working holding devices including chucks, fixtures and vices
- Learning how to programme, set, operate and adjust CNC machinery
- Completing milling and turning operations
- Adjusting a range of machining parameters to produce product with a high degree of accuracy and finish
- Gaining experience of manufacturing parts to a high degree of accuracy and finish
- Using a range of measuring equipment
- Checking and inspecting materials to be machined to ensure that they conform to quality standards
- Completing machine documentation at all stages of work activity and performing scheduled daily inspection, machine shut down or safe escalation
Quality & ISO Awareness
- Learning and applying ISO 9001 quality principles, including right first-time production and traceability
- Carrying out basic quality checks, once trained to do so
- Completing production and quality records accurately under supervision
- Reporting defects, errors or non-confirming items
Health & Safety
- Working safely at all times and complying fully with all H&S rules, procedures and instructions
- Following safe systems of work and using machinery, tools and equipment when trained and authorised to do so
- Participation in risk assessments, toolbox talks and safety briefings
- Reporting of hazards, near misses, accidents, or unsafe conditions to the Team Leader
Housekeeping & Workplace Standards
- Maintaining a clean, tidy, and organised work area at all times
- Learning and following housekeeping standards
- Taking care of tools, equipment, and materials