Machinist and Laboratory Operative Apprentice

Summary

The role will be working within a small team and is an opportunity to contribute fresh ideas to a growing business. The role will focus on the preparing specimens for metallurgical mechanical and testing (tensile, bend test and metallographic) for evaluation. There's opportunities to get involved with broader aspects of analysis and testing.

Wage

£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Training course

Engineering operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 5 October 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

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

· Effective planning to determine test specimen location(s) for cutting on bandsaws.

· Planning of cutting process to ensure smooth and effective flow of production.

· Appropriate documentation and Identification of test specimens and any offcuts to ensure full traceability.

· Machining of test specimens operating CNC machinery - Milling, Lathe and Surface Grinder.

· Using abrasive wheels.

· Assist with Mechanical and metallurgical testing when required.

· Inspection of test specimens to check for conformance with engineering drawings using a combination of measuring / inspection equipment – Vernier Callipers, micrometer, gap gauge, bore gauge, shadowgraph.

· Carry out operations in accordance with the MSL quality management system (ISO 17025) and promote quality awareness through the laboratory.

· General housekeeping to ensure a safe, clean and orderly working environment.

· Other duties as requested by management.

· Ensure Health & Safety practice is always followed and maintained.

Where you'll work

STATION APPROACH
TEAM VALLEY TRADING ESTATE
GATESHEAD
TYNE & WEAR
NE11 0ZF

Training

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

Training provider

GATESHEAD COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering operative (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
• Identify and deal appropriately with any risks, hazards, hazardous situations and problems that may occur within the engineering environment within the limits of their responsibility
• Demonstrate effective communication skills which include oral, written, electronic
• Complete appropriate documentation accurately, efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology where required
• Obtain and follow the correct documentation, specifications and work instructions in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the engineering activities, extracting the necessary data/information from specification and related documentation
• Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the engineering operation
• Deal appropriately with any problems that may occur within the manufacturing environment within the limits of their responsibility
• Work efficiently and effectively at all times maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste
• Carryout fault location on appropriate equipment using suitable maintenance diagnostic techniques
• Carryout maintenance activities in line with work instructions
• Carryout tests on the maintained equipment in accordance with test schedule/defined test procedures
• Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment to service by replacing or repairing components
• Plan the mechanical manufacturing operation before they start
• Mount and set the required workholding devices
• Produce individual components, sub-assemblies or completed assemblies using mechanical manufacturing techniques
• Carryout quality checks during and after mechanical manufacturing operations
• Wire and terminate different types of cabling e.g. single core, multi core, screened, fire resistant, armoured, etc.
• Assemble and test a range of electrical components e.g. component panels, isolator switches, fuses, circuit breakers, contactors, relays, rail mounted terminal blocks, etc.
• Assemble and test a range of electronic components e.g. resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors, etc.
• Follow appropriate completion activities and restore equipment/system to service after the assembly and testing has been completed
• Shape the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
• Join the materials using the appropriate methods and techniques
• Produce components which meet the specification requirements
• Carryout quality checks during and after the fabrication activities
• Plan the materials, processing or finishing operation before they start
• Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the materials, processing or finishing operation
• Carry out the material, processing or finishing operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
• Carryout quality checks during and after the materials, processing or finishing operation
• Plan the technical support operation before they start
• Prepare equipment, tooling, materials, etc. and complete set up activities before carrying out the technical support
• Carry out the technical support operation in line with specific safe working practices and specification requirements
• Carryout quality checks during and after the technical support operation

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade Grade C/4)
• Maths (grade Grade C/4)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Team working
• Willingness to learn