Overview

If you're keen to earn while you learn an apprenticeship is for you. The apprenticeship in Engineering is designed to meet the skills needs of employers. Apprenticeships are offered at Advanced and Higher level. Each level is designed to enable you to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience, along with functional and interpersonal skills. You'll learn these through a mix of learning in the workplace, formal off the job training and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in a real work situation.

Am I ready to start?

If you have good hand skills, have an interest in how things work and like solving problems then this could be the career for you.

Entry criteria varies depending on the pathway you are studying and the needs of the employer, but a good level of secondary education is expected and many employers expect you to have maths and English GCSE at a C grade or above.

Employers also look for skills like motivation, good interpersonal skills, good communication skills, teamwork and a willingness to learn and will set their own specifications depending on the role.

How does an Apprenticeship Work?

An apprenticeship programme is delivered via a mixture of on and off the job training, whereby you can apply your skills in real work contexts.

The apprenticeship programme usually consists of the following elements:

Knowledge element
This is the technical certificate and covers the theory side of your work which is delivered when you attend College, so that you can put these newly acquired skills into practice at work.

Competence element
This is the practical side of the programme and is assessed directly within the workplace by a Harlow College Assessor to ensure that you are developing your skills within the workplace and putting all that you learn at College into practice
Functional skills: This area covers English and Mathematics.

The duration of the course is typically 42 months. You will attend College for 1 day a week and be in the workplace for the remaining 4 days.

What does the course involve?

Mechatronics Maintenance Technicians ensure that plant and equipment perform to the required standard to facilitate production targets regarding Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost within High Value Manufacturing environments. Typically the work would cover a broad range of activities include installation, testing, fault finding and the on-going planned maintenance of complex automated equipment. This requires the application of a complex blend of skills, knowledge and occupational behaviours across the electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems disciplines.

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). 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) – Mechatronics Maintenance Technician
• Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)

Plus functional skills at Level 2 Maths and Level 2 English if you do not hold a C/4 or above grade in GCSE.

Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?

Demand for skilled Engineers is high. Successful completion of this apprenticeship could lead to a range of careers including; Operations Management, Electronics, Design, Aeronautical/Aerospace, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Maintenance, CNC Programming, Marine. The average salary for a qualified engineer is £35,879 and typically ranges from £28,000 to £50,000 but can go beyond that for experienced and senior engineers.  

You could even progress into further training as a Higher Apprentice, where the HNC is studied or progress into more senior or management engineering roles.