Wage: £18,252 a year
Training course: Machining technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday - Thursday 08.00 - 16.30, Friday 08.00 - 15.30.
Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Duration: 3 years 6 months
Positions available: 1

Summary

William Hughes specialises in the design and manufacture of custom-made springs, wire forms and assemblies. We are seeking to employ enthusiastic and hardworking individuals as Engineering Apprentices.

We are looking for people who enjoy both practical and academic work with an aptitude for, and an interest in, Engineering.

Wage £18,252 a year Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) Training course Machining technician (level 3) Hours Monday - Thursday 08.00 - 16.30, Friday 08.00 - 15.30. 39 hours a week Start date Tuesday 1 September 2026 Duration 3 years 6 months Positions available 1

What you'll do at work

Spending 39 hours per week, day-shift working in our Stalbridge factory from 08.00 to 16.30 (15.30 on Fridays) with one or two days spent at college each week. Spending time in our different departments over the 4-year Apprenticeship learning about Wire Forming, Spring-Making and Welding and a range of other processes and treatments of our products. Learning to use a variety of mechanical equipment, including CNC Milling Machines, grinding and abrasive wheel machines, mechanical lifting equipment, including fork lift trucks. Learning about the inspection and quality control procedures needed to meet our Automotive and Aviation customers' exacting standards. Learning how to work safely in a factory engineering environment.

Where you'll work

STATION ROADSTALBRIDGEDORSETDT10 2RZ

Training

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

What you'll learn

Course contents 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

The apprenticeship training is delivered through a combination of workplace learning and regular college attendance. This training will teach you the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the Level 3 Machining Technician Standard.

On completion, the apprentice will receive the Pearson BTEC L3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Machining) (Development Technical Knowledge) qualification. Functional Skills in Maths and English may also be required depending on current level.

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade Grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)Maths (grade Grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)Science (grade Grade 9 – 4 / A* - C)

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

Skills

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsProblem solving skillsNumber skillsAnalytical skillsLogicalTeam workingInitiativePatiencePhysical fitnessGood attendeePunctualReliableHard working and enthusiastic

About this employer

British Engineering Since 1790. Future-Ready, Sustainable Manufacturing for Specialist Sectors.

William Hughes has evolved from wire specialists to trusted innovators in spring, wire form and assembly solutions. We’ve been engineering solutions since 1790 and today, our team continues that legacy, designing, prototyping and producing precision springs, wire forms and complex assemblies for some of the most demanding industries.

Our success has been based on the traditional values of a family firm’s commitment to its customers, concern for quality and a dedication to continual improvements in production and technology, with the latest in CNC, robotic and cleanroom technologies. Our facilities in the UK, Bulgaria and Poland are trusted by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers across aerospace, automotive and medical manufacturing.

https://www.wmhughes.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Successful completion of the Apprenticeship will then lead to further progression and advancement within the company. Many of our apprentices go on to senior roles in the Company, both in the UK and in our European companies in Poland and Bulgaria.

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