Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
Course overview
This apprenticeship will support learners in setting up machines prior to production as well as monitoring and correcting them as needed.
This apprenticeship is aimed at new or existing employees who want to gain machining skills and qualifications. Machining Technicians produce complex and precision machined products that are typically used in machinery. For example, aeroplanes and vehicles. They can also produce bespoke components or products for domestic appliances or medical equipment.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other Machining Technicians. They also interact with various stakeholders. They typically report to an engineering or manufacturing team leader. Typically, this would be as part of a defined or cross-functional team. They may also interact with customers, suppliers, colleagues, quality auditors and regulators.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality and accuracy of their work. They also must work efficiently and be productive in the work they undertake. They must work both individually and as part of a larger team. They must work within the relevant health, safety and environmental regulations. This includes the use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment. They are responsible for the correct use and housekeeping of machinery, tools and equipment. All work must be completed in a safe and efficient manner as directed by supervisory staff.
This apprenticeship standard is set at Level Three.
The qualification will be delivered at Reading College.
College attendance is required for one day per week for the first 36 months of this apprenticeship to complete the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge). Additional Activities will need to be completed in readiness for EPA in the final 12 months – which will require some college attendance and engagement in the workplace.
Throughout the duration of the program, apprentices will learn the required Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSB’s), with ongoing support from a dedicated performance coach visiting your workplace and support from your employer to generate real work experiences to meet defined KSBs and following duties
Duties
- Duty 1 Conduct safety checks and performance monitoring for machining, associated equipment and surrounding work area.
- Duty 2 Receive, read and interpret engineering data and documentation, engineering drawings and technical data. Contribute to or plan the days machining schedule.
- Duty 3 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.
- Duty 4 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.
- Duty 5 Set up, operate, adjust or edit conventional or CNC machining equipment settings and programmes for the machine tool being used.
- Duty 6 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.
- Duty 7 Inspect components produced. Adjust the machining equipment or programme and tooling to ensure components meet quality requirements.
- Duty 8 Identify, communicate and report issues affecting machining component quality, quantity and deadlines.
- Duty 9 Complete machining documentation at all stages of the work activity. For example, standard operational procedures, control documentation and contribution to audits.
- Duty 10 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.
- Duty 11 Keep stakeholders for example, customers, colleagues and line manage
- Duty 12 Perform scheduled daily inspection and machine shut down or safe isolation.
- Duty 13 Support continuous improvement activity to address business problems.
As part of the national apprenticeship guidance, you will also undergo Equality and Diversity, British values and Prevent Training, which will prepare you with the necessary behaviour needed to work within the Engineering industry.
For further details visit the Institute for Apprenticeships.
To achieve this apprenticeship standard, the employer, training provider and apprentice will agree when the apprentice has developed all the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined in the apprenticeship standard and clearly evidenced by the on-programme progression review meetings and records. The independent end assessment ensures that all apprentices consistently achieve the industry set professional standard and can commence at any point once the apprentice is competent after the twelve-month minimum period of learning and development.
The duration of this apprenticeship is typically 42 months (not including EPA period) and must complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
Prior to independent end assessment, the functional skills English and maths components of the apprenticeship must be completed.
The Mandatory qualification – Level 3 Extended Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge) must be completed
- The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship and evidence from this will be used as part of the EPA interview
- A practical demonstration with questions
- A Knowledge Test
Applicants should be employed in a suitable position and hold and have evidence of a minimum Grade 4 in English, maths and science.
This qualification will allow learners to progress into employment enhancing the skills and knowledge that they have gained at Level 3, or to progress to a Higher-Level Apprenticeship or an HNC/HND in Engineering.
Achievement of this qualification demonstrates to an employer that the Apprentice has the necessary technical skills and knowledge needed for a machinist role.
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
