Engineering Craft Machinist

Typical Salary

£13,500 To £30,000

Typical Hours

42 to 44 a week

between 8am and 6pm on shifts

How To Become a Engineering Craft Machinist

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You can do a college course, which will teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job. Courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Engineering Operations
Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can start on an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship and become a craft machinist once you get more experience.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You can join a company as a general engineering operative and train on the job to become a craft machinist.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with your hands
knowledge of maths
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to operate and control equipment
the ability to use your initiative
knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
observation and recording skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties may include:

choosing the correct machine tool for a particular job
planning the work steps following engineering instructions
setting tolerance levels on machines
working out cutting speeds
placing pre-formed parts in a lathe, or on the bed of a mill or grinder
monitoring a job's progress
checking the quality of finished items

Working Environment

You could work in a factory or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career Path & Progression

You could become a shift supervisor of a production section or whole workshop. With further training, you may be able to work as an engineering technician.

Your engineering craft skills will be useful in lots of different industries from aerospace to car manufacturing, so you may be able to specialise in one area or move between them, as your experience grows.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about engineering careers from Tomorrow's Engineers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.