Overview
This is an HNC Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship.
Automation and Control Engineering Technicians install and maintain hardware and software for automation systems. This occupation is found in large and small engineering and manufacturing organisations providing products and services throughout a wide range of sectors, such as:
- Automotive
- Aerospace/Airworthiness
- Chemical Processing
- Land Systems
- Marine
- Maritime Defence
- Materials Manufacturers and their respective supply chains.
Research indicates that the sector needs to recruit approximately 124,000 engineers and technicians every year.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide specialist technical support for engineers, so that organisations can develop, produce or test new/existing products, processes, or procedures to meet a customer specification in terms of quality, cost and delivery, as efficiently and effectively as possible.
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Entry requirements
You will need at least one of the following:
- A minimum of one A level in an appropriate subject
- BTEC National Certificate in an appropriate engineering discipline
- BTEC National Diploma in an appropriate engineering discipline
- Access to HE in Engineering
- Any other Level 3 equivalent UK or international qualification in an appropriate subject.
Please contact our Apprenticeship team for further entry requirements. -
Level
Level 4
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Delivery/Study method
A minimum of 30 hours on the job training at the work place per week including a day/block release to study theory at our Uxbridge/Hayes/Richmond or Harrow campus.
You will study:
- Core and pathway-led knowledge modules learning the fundamental knowledge, through a combination of online learning and practical classroom workshops
- Level 2/3 English and maths.
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What will I learn?
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their line manager to confirm departmental programmes of work and to agree individual responsibilities. This in turn will align to an overarching organisational resource and delivery plan.
Engineering Manufacturing Technicians can be office based, manufacturing/plant based or more commonly combination of both, working with engineering and/or manufacturing teams at an operational level such as with production team leaders and/or management level working with specialist quality or design engineers.
As well as liaising with internal colleagues, they may also be responsible for working directly with customers and/or suppliers or with representatives from appropriate regulatory bodies. Typically this would involve interaction with auditors to demonstrate compliance to specific organisational or regulatory requirements (such as Civil Aviation Authority).Their time will be spent between working in an office environment and working in the manufacturing environment or visiting customers or suppliers as and when required.
Engineering Manufacturing Technicians gather information and data from a range of sources and analyse the information/data. They will make decisions, solve problems and produce and/or update technical documentation, reports or specifications covering areas such as:
- Quality
- Reliability
- Production schedules/targets
- Costing
- Other technical documentation that informs others, either internally or externally what needs to be done such as how a product must be designed, manufactured, tested, modified, maintained, stored, transported, commissioned or decommissioned.
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Duration and assessment
Typically 42 months
English and maths
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
Other mandatory qualifications
Higher National Certificate in Engineering or Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Operations. Additional mandatory qualifications applicable only to Aerospace apprentices to meet Civil Aviation (CAA) requirements. Ofqual regulated.
EAL Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence). To meet the requirements of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations all individuals trained against this standard must complete a period of mandatory protected training leading to successful achievement of the mandatory qualification 601/7289/7 EAL Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence). Ofqual regulated
Other types of assessment
- A work-based portfolio to demonstrate the skills you have learnt at work related projects
- An end-point assessment.
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Where next? Career/study opportunities
Professional recognition upon completion of the course may include:
- IET / Eng Tech
- IMechE / Eng Tech
- Royal Aeronautical Society / Eng Tech
Typical job titles may include:
- Manufacturing Engineer Quality
- Manufacturing Production Engineer
- Manufacturing Procurement Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Costing Engineer
- Test and Commissioning Engineer
- Installation Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Production Support Engineer.