CNC Machinist

Overview

CNC milling, or computer numerical control milling, is a machining process which employs computerised controls and rotating multi-point cutting tools to progressively remove material from the work piece and produce a custom-designed part or product. This process is suitable for machining a wide range of materials, such as metal, plastic, glass, and wood, and producing a variety of custom-designed parts and products.

The CNC Milling competition prepares you for industry by putting you in the role of the CNC machinist. Competitors will work to a set brief and use CNC machine tools to cut, drill, shape and finish products and components used in engineering and manufacturing.

The skills you need to demonstrate

Math skills
IT skills
Understanding of health and safety
Safe handling of machinery
Familiarity with CAD/CAM system
Problem solving
Interpret drawings
Process planning

Useful resources

Prepare for competition success

Our library of endorsed local skills competition briefs ‘benchmarking assessments’ helps prepare learners to build technical skills, productivity, and mindset competencies for national competition success, including employability progression pathways.

Paired with the benchmarking tracker, educators can record progress, identifying strengths and target areas for improvement. Together, they offer a reliable, standards-led framework, creating a sustainable model for skills development that supports educators to empower learners to be competition ready.

Access on the Learning Lab

Contact details

l.pratt@uwtsd.ac.uk

Entry criteria

This is an individual competition
There are no limits to the number of competitors that can register for this competition
Competitors must be familiar with all of the core competencies (these can be found in the in the National Standard of Excellence ‘Useful Information’ section below), but must not have more than 5 years of industry experience
The competition is intended for those studying, training and/or working in the CNC Industry. Competitors will use CNC machines to cut, drill, shape and finish products and components used in engineering and manufacturing
This competition is open to anyone studying qualifications at level 3 for England, Northern Ireland and Wales or SCQF Level 6 in Scotland, with relevant experience in programming, setting and operating CNC machines.

How it works

1. Register

Registrations open on Monday 2 March 2026, 9am and will close Friday 27 March 2026, midnight.

2. Entry stage

Entry Stage will be released between Monday 3 March with a final deadline of 2 May, 2025 (Exact dates will vary by competition).

3. National Qualifiers

Qualifiers will take place on the 25 June 2025 (Remote submission).

4. Training and Development

To help finalists prepare ahead of the UK Final, we will provide relevant technical training and share mindset development techniques, to support them to remain focused on achieving success.

5. National Finals

The National Finals are scheduled to take place in Wales during the week commencing 16 November 2026.

6. Squad UK

Competitors who are age eligible and have achieved the benchmark score will be invited to opt into Squad UK for the WorldSkills 2028 Cycle, subject to the skill progressing to the international competition cycle.