Engineering Craft Machinist

Engineering craft machinists set up and operate the machine tools which cut, shape, drill and finish metal and other materials, very precisely, to make engineering parts.

The Work

You could be:

• making sure you have the materials needed to make the parts
• following instructions and technical drawings to set up hand-controlled or computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines.


• making sure the tolerances (ranges allowed) set on the machines are correct and accurate


• checking the standard of the work and adjusting the controls if necessary


• specialising in boring, drilling, milling, planning, shaping or turning


• quality checking finished items.

Conditions

• You would work in a factory or workshop.


• Working conditions can vary from clean and quiet to dirty and noisy depending on what you are making.


• You have to stand for long periods of time and you have to take care to avoid accidents with the machines.


• You would normally wear overalls and protective glasses, gloves and shoes.


• You may have to work shifts and there may be the chance of overtime.

Getting In

• You would normally enter through a Modern Apprenticeship.
• You usually need 3-4 Standard grades, including English, maths and a science or technological subject.


• You may have to sit an entry test to see if you are suitable for the work.


• You need good eyesight and general fitness for this job.


• If you have allergies, you may be at risk from certain materials that can irritate skin.

What Does It Take?

You need to be:

• accurate, methodical and well organised
• patient, with good concentration
• practical, with technical ability and good hand skills.

• understand engineering drawings
• visualise the finished item


• understand the strengths of metals
• do calculations, make measurements and adjustments


• use a computer, to work with computer-controlled machines
• concentrate for long periods
• work on your own at times.

Training

• Training through a Modern Apprenticeship combines on-the-job and off-the-job training and usually leads to Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering at Levels 2 and 3.


• If you enter direct and train through an employer's scheme you may gain the above qualifications or you may gain an SVQ in Performing Engineering Operations at Level 2.
• You may take short courses to update your skills and learn to use new machines.

Getting On

• With experience you may be promoted to a supervisory job.


• With more advanced training, you could move up to technician level.


• In some industries there may be opportunities to work abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

SEMTA is the Sector Skills Council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. The website includes a chart showing possible progression routes in engineering work.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.