Machinist Technician Apprenticeship
Level: 3
Duration: Up to 4 years
Role Profile
Machinist in the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering sector are predominantly involved in highly skilled, complex and precision work, machining components from specialist materials using conventional and/or CNC machine tools such as centre lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines, horizontal and cylindrical grinding machines, electro discharge machines, single and multi-axis CNC machine tool centres. They will be expected to be able to set up, operate and adjust/edit equipment settings as applicable to the machine tool being used. When using CNC equipment, they will be expected to be able to produce, prove and/or edit programmes. During and on completion of the machining operations they will be expected to measure and check the components being produced and make adjustments to the equipment/programme to ensure components meet the required specification
Entry requirements:
A minimum of three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English Language, Maths and Science.
Where will I study?
North West Training Council
How will I study?
Year 1 – I day per week at NWTC, 4 days in your workplace
Year 2 – 1 day per week on technical certificate at NWTC, 4 days in your workplace
Year 3 / 4 –1 day a week at NWTC, 4 days in your workplace undertaking assessments
SPECIFIC SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
What will I learn?
Conduct safety checks and performance monitoring for machining, associated equipment and surrounding work area.
Receive, read and interpret engineering data and documentation, engineering drawings and technical data. Contribute to or plan the days machining schedule.
Check and inspect materials to be machined to ensure that they conform to quality standards. Identify and report any issues or faults such as incorrect grades, dimensions and thicknesses.
Plan and prepare sequence for the machining activities. Ensure that the correct tooling, work holding, and materials are used. This applies to conventional complex or CNC complex machining tasks.
Set up, operate, adjust or edit conventional or CNC machining equipment settings and programmes for the machine tool being used.
Machine high-quality complex components using a broad range of processes. For example, internal or external thread cutting, slots and pockets, internal or external under cutting. Also profile forms, tapered and eccentric diameters, bored holes, and tee slots.
Inspect components produced. Adjust the machining equipment or programme and tooling to ensure components meet quality requirements.
Identify, communicate and report issues affecting machining component quality, quantity and deadlines.
Complete machining documentation at all stages of the work activity. For example, standard operational procedures, control documentation and contribution to audits.
Maintain and restore the machining work area, performing housekeeping and waste management as appropriate. Ensure tools, unused materials and equipment are returned to a safe, clean and approved condition on completion of machining work.
Keep stakeholders for example, customers, colleagues and line managers informed about machining work.
Perform scheduled daily inspection and machine shut down or safe isolation.
Support continuous improvement activity to address business problems.
SPECIFIC SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
What qualifications will I achieve?
After a period of foundation skills and technical knowledge development all apprentices will be required to achieve the following qualifications
EAL L3 Extended diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge)
or
Pearson BTEC L3 diploma in Advanced manufacturing engineering (Machining) (Development Technical Knowledge)
or
City and Guilds Machining technician (1273)
ROLES FOR A MACHINIST
Precision engineer
CNC machinist
CNC machinist programmer
Machinist technician
Gear cutter