Engineering and Manufacturing icon - 2 cogsOverview

A Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician's job is to maintain the safety, integrity and effective operation of plant and equipment in industries that are part of the national infrastructure engineering sector, such as electricity generating, oil and gas refining and pharmaceuticals.

Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technicians cover 7 roles:

  1. Electrical Technicians
  2. Mechanical Technicians
  3. Control and Instrumentation Technicians
  4. Wind Turbine Technicians
  5. Electrical System and Process Control Technicians
  6. Electromechanical Technicians
  7. Plant Operations Technicians.


They will maintain the safety, integrity and effective operation of plant and equipment in one or more of the following industries that are part of or have activities that are part of the broader national infrastructure engineering sector:

  • The electricity generating environment, which may use a range of different fuels including coal, gas, nuclear, wind and other renewable sources
  • Telecommunications power plants
  • Oil and gas refining
  • Nuclear waste reprocessing
  • Processing and production of chemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Human and animal food
  • Cosmetics
  • Petrochemicals
  • Sewerage
  • The exploration and exploitation of oil and gas.

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  • Entry requirements
  • Level

    Level 3

  • 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.

  • What will I learn?

    A Technician must have the core requirements below and demonstrate specialist requirements in one role.

    Core Knowledge

    A Technician will understand:

    • First principles relating to the operation and maintenance of appropriate plant and equipment
    • Relevant industry health and safety standards, regulations, and environmental and regulatory requirements
    • Maintenance and operational practices, processes and procedures covering a range of plant and equipment
    • The relevant engineering theories and principles relative to their occupation.

    Core Skills

    A Technician will apply their knowledge of plant and systems to safely perform maintenance and operational activities with minimum supervision. This will require them to:

    • Comply with industry health, safety and environmental working practices and regulations
    • Locate, and rectify faults on plant and equipment
    • Communicate with and provide information to stakeholders in line with personal role and responsibilities
    • Read, understand and interpret information and work in compliance with technical specifications and supporting documentation
    • Prepare work areas to undertake work related activities and reinstate those areas after the completion of the work related activities
    • Inspect and maintain appropriate plant and equipment to meet operational requirements
    • Assess and test the performance and condition of plant and equipment
    • Communicate, handover and confirm that the appropriate engineering process has been completed to specification.

  • Duration and assessment

    Typically 36 to 45 months

    Types of assessment:

    • An end-point assessment. Apprentices must achieve level 2 English and maths prior to taking the end-point assessment for the apprenticeship if they haven’t achieved them on entry.

  • Where next? Career/study opportunities

    This standard will meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for registration as Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) by an appropriate Professional Engineering Institution.

    Typical job titles include:

    • Mechanical Fitter
    • Electrical Fitter
    • Electronic Fitter
    • Instrumentation Fitter
    • Pipe Fitter
    • Controls and Systems Fitter.