Engineering Apprenticeship (Manufacturing or Electrical-Electronic)
Introduction to the trade:
Engineering remains one of the UK’s most important industries, offering a diverse range of challenging employment opportunities. Opportunities are vast and at a broad level include mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, electrical and electronic engineering. Engineers apply science to solve problems or meet needs and this can range from the design stage through to development and manufacture.
Engineering companies in the UK have recognised that to compete in today’s world market they must not only keep pace with rapidly changing technology but must ensure that their workforce is well qualified and highly skilled. If you are interested in engineering and the challenge of work but want to keep learning in a practical way, then the Engineering Apprenticeship scheme is for you.
The usual route is to complete the Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2) before progressing onto the Advanced (Level 3) Apprenticeship, but fast track onto Level 3 is available for those with good GCSE’ s in English and Maths.
The College will assist you in finding employment with a suitable local employer in the first instance. You will receive comprehensive training both at work and at College, following a training programme that is tailored to you and your employer’s needs. Therefore, the skills and knowledge that you acquire will be relevant to your employment and help you to progress in your chosen career.
Each apprentice has a nominated Business Development Officer who will provide co-ordination between the employer, the College and the apprentice, giving continuity and support throughout the apprenticeship.
What qualifications will I gain?
Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2)
- Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations - This is the competency part of the qualification and essential for you to achieve the full apprenticeship. This qualification will demonstrate that you can work safely and effectively in an engineering environment and provide you with the basic skills for your chosen field.
- Level 2 BTEC Engineering qualification (Diploma) - to show that you have the necessary technical skills, knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts as well as knowledge and understanding of the relevant market and industry.
- Functional Skills - Providing you with a good level of literacy and numeracy at Level 1
Duration: This can be completed within 12 months by spending up to 3 days a week at college, alternatively it can be completed over 24 months by completing the NVQ and Functional Skills in the first year over 2 days a week and the BTEC Engineering qualification in the second year, spending 1 day a week at college. Which option you follow will be determined by your employer.
Advanced Apprentice (Level 3)
You would have either already achieved a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Engineering or will have been selected by your employer to fast-track onto the Advanced Apprenticeship, based on your GCSE results.
- Units from the Level 2 NVQ in Performing Operations to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of working safely and effectively in an engineering environment
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering, assessed in the workplace and job specific
- Level 3 BTEC Engineering qualification (Diploma) - to show that you have the necessary technical skills, knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts as well as knowledge and understanding of the relevant market and industry.
- Functional Skills - Level 2 Maths, English and IT
Duration:
Year 1: Advanced apprentices typically spend 2-3 days in college completing the first year of the BTEC qualification and the core Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations NVQ units, along with Functional Skills.
Year 2/3: More time is spent in the workplace, completing the Level 3 NVQ, which is tailored to suit your day-to-day job. You will attend college for one day per week to complete the Level 3 BTEC qualification started in year 1.
How will I be trained?
Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that takes you through the skills you need to do a job well. There are targets and checks to make sure that your employer is supporting you and you are making progress.
As an employee you will be in the workplace for the much of your time as most of the training takes place on the job. The rest takes place at HCT. All the things you study at college during this time will be useful in your job and help you to succeed in your future career.
How will I be assessed?
The NVQ is assessed through a portfolio of evidence and observations in the workplace by the NVQ assessor. The BTEC qualification is assessed by a combination of assignments, projects and internal phase tests. Functional Skills is assessed by external exam.
What are the entry requirements?
- Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeships requires 4 GCSE grades in the C –E range, to include including maths and English or alternatively an appropriate level 1 qualification
- Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship requires 5 GSCE grades in the A* - C range, to include a C in English and B in Maths. Alternatively, an appropriate level 2 qualification such as the BTEC level 2 in Engineering, with a Merit / Distinction profile in Maths
- All prospective apprentices will need to complete an initial assessment and this will also help determine the level at which you start
- You will also need a suitable employer able and willing to support you during your apprenticeship programme
Competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you. You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.
Key Facts
Campus: Hereford
Minimum Age: 16
Duration: 1-2 years for the Intermediate (Level 2) / 3-4 years for the Advanced (Level 3) depending on mode of attendance (see above).
Typical Employment:
Fully qualified apprentices will go on to have successful careers in the Manufacturing, Mechanical, Maintenance, Electronic / Electrical fields as operators, supervisors, project managers and design engineers.
Progression:
There is scope to progress further to a higher level of employment and management training at NVQ Level 4 or 5 or progress to an HNC/HND or University.
Contact: 0800 389 9805
busdev@hct.ac.uk
