Precision CNC Machinist Apprentice
Level: 3
Employer: NEMA LTD
Location: Unit 16, Chichester Business Centre
An exciting opportunity to join NEMA Ltd as a Precision CNC Machinist Apprentice. You will develop advanced machining skills including CNC turning, milling, grinding and wire EDM while completing your Machining Level 3 Apprenticeship.
Duration: 3 Years 6 Months
Expected start date: 07/09/2026
Hours per week: 37 hours
Wage: (Annually)
Job role includes
- CNC turning and milling
- Manual machining techniques
- Cylindrical grinding
- Wire EDM
- Honing processes
- Tool making
- CAD/CAM manufacturing using offline and online modelling and programming
- Working with a wide range of aerospace grade materials
Examples of components you will manufacture include:
- Housings and frames for electric motors used in aircraft landing gear systems
- Shafts and rotors for high-speed generators in micro gas turbines
- Ground magnetic assemblies for naval frigate winch motors
- Wire EDM components in high-efficiency electrical steel to extremely tight tolerances
- Precision tooling components
All work is produced to strict aerospace standards, requiring high levels of accuracy, technical understanding and attention to detail.
About employer
Established in 1954, NEMA Ltd is a Tier 2 aerospace engineering manufacturer supplying precision electro-mechanical products to leading global aerospace organisations. Operating to AS9100 Rev D standards, NEMA holds quality approvals with major aerospace manufacturers including BAE Systems, Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo and Triumph.
With over 95% of manufacturing completed in-house, NEMA provides apprentices with exposure to advanced machining, winding, assembly and testing processes within a highly controlled aerospace environment.
This is an opportunity to begin a career in high-precision aerospace machining, producing safety-critical components used across aircraft and specialist defence platforms.
Training will be delivered in partnership with Rochdale Training Association (RTA).
You will complete the Machining Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship.
During your apprenticeship you will:
- Develop core machining skills in CNC and manual operations
- Learn advanced programming using CAD/CAM systems
- Gain experience working to aerospace quality standards
- Rotate across workshop departments to build a full understanding of production processes
- Produce a complete electric motor assembly and its constituent components from scratch to gain a holistic understanding of the business
Subject to performance and attainment, progression to Level 4 engineering qualifications and beyond may be fully funded and supported by NEMA.
- Secure a permanent role within the precision machining department
- Progress to Level 4 engineering qualifications (fully funded)
- Develop into CNC programmer, senior machinist or specialist tooling roles
Upon successful completion, apprentices may:
Full-time employment?
Yes – subject to successful completion and performance.
Progression Opportunities Identified?
Yes – Higher technical qualifications and specialist machining pathways.
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Initiative
