Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career in engineering and join Ivor Searle as one of our engine remanufacturing apprentices. We seek to offer apprenticeships to 3 potential candidates so that they can learn alongside our experienced technicians about the engineering & remanufacturing process for engines & gearboxes.
Wage
£16,640 a year
Hourly rate can range from £8.00 to £10.85/hour depending on age/experience
Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 7.30am - 4.30pm and Friday, 7.30am - 1.30pm
40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 3 August 2026
Duration
4 years
Positions available
3
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
Whilst training 'on the job', you will be learning the remanufacturing processes alongside our experienced technicians in each of our production departments for:
* Engine stripping
* Crankshafts
* Cylinder heads
* Engine blocks
* Engine assembly
* Gearboxes
* Range development
You will be working on a variety of manual machinery and learning to measure and work to close tolerances.
Where you'll work
2 REGAL LANE
SOHAM
ELY
CB7 5BA
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
Training course
Machining technician (level 3)
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
* Successful candidates commence their 48 month Engineering Technician Machinist Level 3 Apprenticeship with the college in September 2026, which will involve day release training at the college (1 day per week for years 1, 2 & 3; on site work based learning for the final year) and on the job training
* Minimum qualifications required for the apprenticeship are GCSEs at grade 4 & above in maths and English.
* Don't worry if you don't have your grades yet, if you are due to sit your exams this year we still want to hear from you now
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Maths & English (grade 4 and above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Problem solving skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Patience
* Good timekeeping
Other requirements
The apprenticeships are based in Soham, Cambridgeshire and you will be required to attend college at either West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds or the North Cambs Training Centre in Chatteris depending on availability with the college