Machining Technician: Mechanical Engineering

The application window to apply for apprenticeships starting in September 2024 is now closed. HETA will begin accepting applications for their September 2025 opportunities from October 2024.

An instrumentation technician monitors environmental and atmospheric changes in industrial environments.

Machinists are involved in highly-skilled, complex and precision work, machining components from specialist materials using machining tools such as centre lathes & milling machines.

This is a 3-year Mechanical apprenticeship programme. Those on the machining programme will complete units of Computer Aided Design, turning, and milling as well as CNC.

Learners will train at HETA for the first six months of their programme. The training plan will include:

• Producing components using hand fitting techniques.
• Preparing and using CNC milling machines, lathes fr turning operation, proving CNC machine toll programmes.
• Working efficiently and effectively within an engineering environment.
• Preparing and using the lathe for turning operation.
• Computer Aided Design
• Engineering Mathematics and Science principles.

From March to July in the first year, learners will spend 3 weeks a month in their company completing their level 3 competence diploma portfolio under block release. Learners must be able to demonstrate:

• Advanced manual turning techniques
• Advanced manual milling techniques
• Engineering inspection and quality control.

For the remainder of the apprenticeship, learners will spend four days a week in their company completing their level 3 competence diploma portfolio. Learners will return back to HETA following day release and learn the following:

• Health and safety in engineering.
• Communications for engineering
• Mathematics for technicians
• Properties and applications of engineering materials
• Computer Aided Design in engineering.

Apprentices will be assessed via:

• Portfolio work based assessments
• Engineering Assessor to review apprentices progression in sponsored company (help with support and mentoring)

In the final year of your apprenticeship, we will book you in for your End Point Assessment (EPA). This is a series of assessments that you must complete in order to successfully pass your apprenticeship.

The EPA typically consists of:

• A knowledge-based exam
• A practical observation
• A technical interview

HETA's entry requirements are a minimum of 4 GCSEs - grades 5-9 (or A*-C) including:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• Additional GCSE

As well as Level 3 qualifications, HETA also offer a two year Higher National Certificate (Level 4) and a one year Higher National Diploma (Level 5). Learners may have the opportunity to enrol on the following programmes within the second year of their apprenticeship programme. HNC’s and HND’s are a great route to moving on to higher-level qualifications; you can do extra studies working with our university partners to top up the HND into a full degree.

Completing Higher level qualifications like HNC’s and HND’s give you great opportunities in your career. Not only are you more competent but also gives you a stepping stone into senior and management roles.