Engineering Machinist Level 3 Apprenticeship

What knowledge and skills are covered?

Mandatory Qualifications

After a period of foundation skills and technical knowledge development all apprentices will be required to achieve the following qualifications:

• Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence)
• Level 2 Diploma in Machining (Foundation Knowledge)

After a further period of skills and technical knowledge development all apprentices will be required to achieve the following qualifications:

• Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Machining
• Level 3 Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge)

The Level 2 Knowledge and Competency Diplomas are delivered 1 day a week for 2 years. The knowledge and competency units covered are:

• Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
• Working efficiently and effectively in an engineering environment
• Using and communicating technical information
• Conducting business improvement activities
• Producing components using hand fitting techniques
• Preparing and using lathes for turning operations
• Preparing and using milling machines
• Preparing and using CNC turning machines
• Preparing and using CNC milling machines
• Producing CAD models (drawings) using a CAD system

Apprentices will then study the Level 3 Knowledge Diploma, which is delivered for 1 day a week for 2 years. The Level 3 Competency Diploma will be assessed in the work place for 2 years and the competency qualification units will be discussed and agreed with the employer.  The Level 3 knowledge qualification units are:

• Engineering and environmental health and safety
• Communication for machinists/engineers
• Properties and applications of engineering materials
• Engineering maths
• Advanced manufacturing CNC turning techniques
• Advanced manufacturing CNC milling techniques
• CAD/CAM
• Engineering inspection and quality control

What are the entry requirements?

Individual employers will set the selection criteria, but candidates will typically have 4 GCSEs at Grade C (4) or equivalent, including Mathematics, English and a Science subject

How often do I have to attend college?

College attendance of one day per week will be required over the duration of the course. This will be in conjunction with further assessment in the workplace. Our well-equipped workshops will allow apprentices to carry out practical work in a safe environment.

How will I be assessed?

College based assignments/examinations and accredited qualifications, work placed assessment in competency.

What can I do next?

Completion of the Apprenticeship is designed to be recognised by relevant Professional Engineering Institutions at the appropriate level of professional registration (EngTech). In the case of the Military specific pathway in the Aircraft Maintenance Fitter/Technician Standard, professional competence will be recognised by the Military Independent Assessment Authority (MIAA).

Possible progression into further training as a Higher Apprentice Level 4/5 or a Degree Apprenticeship level 6 with the support of a suitable employer.

Level 2 competency units delivered and covered are:

• Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
• Working efficiently and effectively in an engineering environment
• Using and communicating technical information
• Conducting business improvement activities
• Producing components using hand fitting techniques
• Preparing and using lathes for turning operations
• Preparing and using milling machines
• Wiring and testing electrical equipment and circuits
• Maintaining electrical equipment and systems
• Producing mechanical engineering drawings using a CAD system
• Preparing and using TIG equipment

Level 2 competency duration and times: Part-time attendance, 2 days a week for 36 weeks, 09.00-17.00

Level 2 competency units covered are:

• Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
• Working efficiently and effectively in an engineering environment
• Using and communicating technical information
• Conducting business improvement activities
• Producing components using hand fitting techniques
• Preparing and using lathes for turning operations
• Preparing and using milling machines
• Wiring and testing electrical equipment and circuits
• Preparing and using MIG/MAG equipment
• Maintaining Electrical Equipment and Systems
• Producing mechanical engineering drawings using a CAD system

All learners will have to undertake a Level 2 gateway assessment which may require a 1 week block assessment.  Following this, learners shall attend at Colchester to study the modular delivery that occurs in each semester.

Colchester: Level 3 knowledge duration and times: 1 day a week, 36 weeks, 3 years, 09.00-17.00

Student will study the Level 3 Knowledge qualification, which is delivered for 1 day a week for 3 years and the Level 3 competency, which will be assessed in the work place.  Level 3 competency qualification units will be discussed and agreed with the employer.

Level 3 Knowledge Units (All Pathways except Craft Machinist)

A selection of the Level 3 knowledge qualification units taught include:

• Health & Safety in the Engineering Workplace
• Communications for Engineering Technicians
• Mathematics for Engineering Technicians
• Engineering Project
• Mechanical Principles of Engineering Systems
• Electrical and Electronic Principles
• Properties and Applications of Engineering Materials
• Applications of Mechanical Systems in Engineering
• Engineering Organisational Efficiency and Improvement
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) Techniques
• Further Mathematics for Engineering Technicians
• Engineering Maintenance Procedures and Techniques
• Maintenance of Mechanical Systems
• Installation of Electrical Equipment
• Features and Applications of Electrical Machines
• Three Phase Motors and Drives
• Further Electrical and Electronic Principles

What knowledge and skills are covered?

• understanding the importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations
• understanding of general engineering/manufacturing mathematical and scientific principles, methods, techniques, graphical expressions, symbols formulae and calculations used by engineering technicians
• understanding the structure, properties and characteristics of common materials used in the sector
• understanding the typical problems that may arise within their normal work activities/environment
• understanding approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering/manufacturing problems
• understanding the importance of only using current approved processes, procedures, documentation and the potential implications for the organisation if this is not adhered to
• understanding and interpreting relevant engineering/manufacturing data and documentation in order to complete their job role
• understanding the different roles and functions in the organisation and how they interact.
• understanding why it is important for an organisation to continually review their processes and procedures
• obtaining, checking and using the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
• working safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
• planning and where applicable obtaining all the resources required to undertake the work activity
• undertaking the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment
• carrying out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment
• dealing promptly and effectively with engineering/manufacturing problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel
• completing any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity
• restoring the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location

What are the entry requirements?

Individual employers will set the selection criteria, but candidates will typically have 4 GCSEs at Grade C (4) or equivalent, including Mathematics, English and a Science subject

How often do I have to attend college?

College attendance of 1 day per week will be required for four years. This will be in conjunction with further assessment in the workplace. Our well-equipped workshops will allow apprentices to carry out practical work in a safe environment.

How will I be assessed?

College based assignments/examinations and accredited knowledge qualifications, work placed assessment in competency qualification. An end-point assessment takes place at the end of the apprenticeship with an independent organisation and apprentices must successfully complete this to pass the programme.

What can I do next?

Completion of the Engineering Machinist Apprenticeship is designed to be recognised by relevant Professional Engineering Institutions at the appropriate level of professional registration (EngTech). In the case of the Military specific pathway in the Aircraft Maintenance Fitter/Technician Standard, professional competence will be recognised by the Military Independent Assessment Authority (MIAA).

Possible progression into further training as a Higher Apprentice Level 4/5 or a Degree Apprenticeship level 6 with the support of a suitable employer.

How is my business going to benefit from an Engineering Technician Apprentice?

Having an Apprentice Engineering Machinist employee that can demonstrate the following behaviours:

1. Personal responsibility, resilience and ethics. Comply with health and safety guidance and procedures, be disciplined and have a responsible approach to risk, work diligently at all times, accept responsibility for managing time and workload and stay motivated and committed when facing challenges. Comply with any organisational policies/codes of conduct in relation to ethical compliance
2. Work effectively in teams. Integrate with the team, support other people, consider implications of their actions on other people and the business
3. Effective communication and interpersonal skills. open and honest communicator, communicating clearly using appropriate methods, listening to others and have a positive and respectful attitude
4. Focus on quality and problem solving. Follow instructions and guidance, demonstrates attention to detail, follow a logical approach to problem solving and seek opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency
5. Continuous personal development. Reflect on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seeks opportunities to develop, adapt to different situations, environments or technologies and have a positive attitude to feedback and advice

What will this cost my business?

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

College attendance of 1 day per week will be required for four years. This will be in conjunction with further assessment in the workplace. Our well-equipped workshops will allow apprentices to carry out practical work in a safe environment.

How is the apprentice assessed?

College based assignments/examinations and accredited knowledge qualifications, work placed assessment in competency qualification. An end-point assessment takes place at the end of the apprenticeship with an independent organisation and apprentices must successfully complete this to pass the programme.

What about support in the workplace?

Skilled and knowledgeable staff must be available to support the apprentice as they complete work- based tasks

Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?