1. What is an Apprenticeship in
Engineering?
An Apprenticeship in Engineering is a work-based learning
programme, which combines study at college or other registered
training provider with work-based learning. It also includes Key
Skills / Functional Skills, and learning about employment rights
and responsibilities. It is an opportunity to earn and learn
at the same time.
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2. What levels are there? What is their
value?
Apprenticeships are available in Engineering at threelevels:
Apprenticeships: at ‘Level 2’, equivalent to
GCSEs:
On this Apprenticeship, you’ll choose to
focus on either the Engineering or Manufacturing aspect of
production:
On the Engineering pathway, you could learn how to communicate
technical information and produce mechanical engineering drawings
using a CAD (computer-aided design) system. You could also learn
practical skills like welding, fabrication, general maintenance and
other engineering applications.
On the Manufacturing pathway (Improving Operational Performance),
you’ll learn how to report and record inspection test results, how
to test the quality of materials, as well as other methods of
manufacturing and production. As well as using more efficient and
greener ways of making today’s products.
Advanced Apprenticeships: at ‘Level 3’, equivalent
to A levels
This is suitable for technicians,
maintenance workers and those who carry out specific highly skilled
craft occupations (eg toolmaking, welding, fitting).
Higher Apprenticeships: a new programme which is at
‘Level 4’ or Foundation Degree level
This Apprenticeship develops engineering technicians and engineers
for a variety of job roles and job functions including:
design, development, engineering manufacture, quality assurance,
maintenance, test, commissioning etc and in engineering disciplines
of mechanical, electrical, electronic and systems engineering.
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3. How long do Apprenticeships in Engineering
take?
An Engineering Apprenticeship at Level 2 lasts for up to 2
years, while an Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3
takes three years or more. It is a big commitment, particularly at
Advanced Level, but you will get lots of support from your employer
to complete the programme.
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4.
Do I have to have a job to be an Engineering
Apprentice?
Most Apprentices in Engineering are employed from the first day
of their training. However, there is a lot of off-the-job
learning at the start of the programme, so some Apprentices do
start their training with a training provider, and find an employer
a bit later in the process. If you do this, you will receive
the Educational Maintenance Allowance until you are employed.
It is very important that you get the chance to apply what you
learn at college and off-the-job in a real workplace environment,
so you will receive lots of help to find an appropriate placement
before the end of your programme.
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5.
How old do I have to be to undertake an Apprenticeship in
Engineering?
Most Apprentices start the programme after the age of 16
and before the age of 19. Some employers prefer to recruit
students after AS or A levels, others accept students with
GCSEs. If you are over 19, an employer may still consider
you, but the public funding for your training is substantially
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6.
How do Apprenticeships fit with GCSEs / A levels and
Diplomas?
Apprenticeships are a ‘work-based’ qualification. You can do an
Apprenticeship after you have done academic qualifications.
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7. What should I bear in mind when
considering these different pathways?
It is important to understand that there are no options which
are ‘easier’ than others. You need to think about HOW, as well as
WHAT, you want to learn, and kind of learning style that suits you
best.
If you are happy to stay in an academic environment, like
school, and learn best in the classroom, you should consider the
academic qualifications available, such as GCSEs and A levels.
If you think you would learn better in the workplace, with time
spent at college to build up your underpinning knowledge, and know
that you want to go into a particular career, then an
Apprenticeship could be a good option.
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8. Who are Engineering Apprenticeships
for?
Apprenticeships in Engineering are for both young men and women
who know what kind of career they are looking for, have an interest
in science, technology and problem solving and and who enjoy
‘learning by doing’. It’s a team activity too so you will need to
be able to work closely with others to achieve success.
The programme does include a significant amount of college study,
usually one-day a week after the initial off-the-job preparation
(which can last 6-9 months at Advanced Level). You will also have
to study Functional Skills in English, Maths, ICT, Working with
Others and Improving Own Learning and Performance. This means that
you will be combining study in the classroom with work for your
employer. Engineering Apprenticeships are designed to give you
everything you need to have a great career, but it does mean taking
on quite a lot of work, and giving that extra effort when it
counts.
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9. What are the benefits of taking an
Apprenticeship in Engineering?
An Apprenticeship in Engineering will open the door to dozens of
careers across the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Engineers
and technicians are employed across the UK economy, in all kinds of
roles - you could be designing colour-matching technology to
determine the best makeup for different skin tones, working as part
of a team on a project to improve the performance of artificial hip
joints and the perks of a job in food may include tasting the
chocolate prior to production! An Apprenticeship will prepare you
for both the job your employer wants you to do, and a whole lot
more.
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10. How are Engineering Apprenticeships
valued by employers?
Apprenticeships have formed a cornerstone of training for
engineering companies for many years. The content of the
programme is agreed with employers so that all Apprentices meet a
national standard, as well as being flexible enough for an employer
to tailor elements to their particular needs. The Engineering
Apprenticeship is often referred to as the 'gold standard' for all
Apprenticeship programmes, because it is so rigorous, flexible, and
well regarded. Employers of former Engineering Apprentices
are impressed by their skills and attitude, as well as their
sectoral knowledge.
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11. What types of work will an Engineering
Apprenticeship prepare me for?
You could be involved in the aeronautical industry – developing
and building safe reliable aeroplanes that can whisk you off to
your holiday destination; automotive engineering – developing cars
with newer, greener engines that pollute less and are more
reliable; electronics engineering - understanding and building the
latest technological gadgets; building and repairing ships; looking
after medical equipment in hospitals - the scope is endless.
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12. What opportunities exist for further
progression?
Some Higher Apprentices go on to study at university, and many
are sponsored by their companies to complete a degree. Universities
are increasingly offering part-time and distance learning courses
to suit people who want to stay in work, and these can give former
Apprentices the chance to maintain the study patterns which they
have put in place during the Apprenticeship.
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13. How will I work and study at the
same time?
The most common arrangement for an Apprenticeship in Engineering
is a short period of time 'off-the-job' initially, then attending
college for one day a week, and working for your company for
the remaining four days a week. While you are in your
company, you will be collecting evidence for the portfolio
assessment of your NVQ. At college, you will study the
Technical Certificate, Key / Functional Skills, etc.
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14. What are the components of the
Apprenticeship in Engineering?
Apprenticeship (Manufacturing and Engineering routes)
- Competence-based element – NVQ Level 2
- Knowledge-based element – Technical Certificate Level 2
- Transferable skills either: Functional Skills – Level 1
(plus Level 2 in some cases) or Key Skills
- Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
- Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR)
Advanced Apprenticeship
- Specific work competence-based element – Extended NVQ Level 3
Diploma
- Knowledge-based element – Technical Certificate Level 3
- Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
- Transferable skills either: Functional Skills –
Level 2 or Key Skills at Level 2
- Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR)
Higher Apprenticeship
- NVQ Level 4 or 5
- Foundation Degree (HNC/HND minimum)
- Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
- Transferable skills either: Functional Skills –
Level 2 or Key Skills at Level 2
- Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR)
You will need to complete all the elements in your
Apprenticeship to get your certificate.
At Advanced Apprentice level, you normally begin your
Apprenticeship with a period of off-the-job learning, during which
you will gain three units of the NVQ2 in Performing Engineering
Operations, and start your Technical Certificate. This off-the-job
initial training lasts approximatley three months, and is designed
to prepare you for the workplace.
It normally takes about a year to complete the Manufacturing
pathway and two years to complete the Engineering route.
Once you are in the workplace, you can expect to attend college
one day a week for the length of the programme.
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15. What qualifications does an
Apprenticeship in Engineering lead to?
A Level 2 Apprenticeship in Engineering will give you an NVQ
Level 2, a Technical Certificate (such as a City & Guilds
Progression Award or BTEC First Certificate/ Diploma, Personal
Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)
Functional Skills/ Key Skills at Levels 1 and 2, and a
qualification in Employment Rights and Responsibilities.
An Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering at Level 3 will give
you an NVW Level 3 Extended Diplma, a Technical Certificate (such
as a BTEC National Certificate / Diploma), Personal Learning and
Thinking Skills (PLTS), Functional Skills/ Key Skills at Level
2, and a qualification in Employment Rights and
Responsibilities.
The Higher Apprenticeship incorporates a Foundation Degree / HNC
or HND, NVW at Level 4 or 5, Personal Learning and Thinking
Skills (PLTS), Functional Skills,at level 2 or Key Skills at level
2, plus a qualification in Employment Rights and
Responsibilities.
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16. How is the Apprenticeship in
Engineering assessed?
The various components of an Apprenticeship are assessed in
different ways. The Technical Certificate is usually a combination
of coursework and exams, the Functional Skills/ Key Skills are
assessed by an exam, and the NVQ requires you to produce a
portfolio of evidence of your work.
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17. What are Functional Skills/ Key
Skills? How are they covered in Apprenticeships?
Functional Skills/Key Skills are those skills which we all
need in the workplace, as they mean you are able to apply your
knowledge of English, Maths and ICT to practical situations. In
a Level 2 Engineering Apprenticeship, you will be expected to
achieve or have achieved Functional Skills at Level 1 or Key Skills
at level 2 and for the Advanced Apprenticeship they are all at
Level 2.
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18. What sectors are Apprenticeships
available in?
Semta is responsible for frameworks in the following
engineering/science disciplines
- Apprenticeship & Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering
Manufacture
- Apprenticeship in Improving Operational Performance
- Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture (Senior
Technician)
- Apprenticeship & Advanced Apprenticeship for Laboratory
Technicians
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19. Which Apprenticeships are most in demand
and why?
It depends where you are in the
country, as demand varies considerably by region. Engineering
Apprenticeships at large multinational companies can be highly
sought after, and competition is usually fierce for these places.
They often have more information on their websites and advertise
vacancies there.
There tends to be less competition for places in smaller firms,
but quality of the programme stays the same no matter where you
are. Small firms also may offer more opportunity for quick
progression, and the chance to branch out into other fields
earlier.
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20. What wages can I expect to earn as a
qualified Apprentice in Engineering?
Apprentices in Engineering are among the highest earners of all
apprentices.
A survey of apprenticeship pay in 2007 found that the average
net weekly pay for Engineering Apprentices at Level 2 was £172,
while for Advanced Engineering Apprentices it was £201. There may
also be opportunities for paid overtime during the
Apprenticeship.
Once you have completed an Apprenticeship at Level 2, you will
probably take up a job as an operative or craftsperson, which
usually pays £10,000-£23,000.
On completion of an Advanced Apprenticeship, you might become a
Technician, a role which attracts a salary of £14,000-£31,000.
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21. How are Apprenticeships valued by
universities? How can I find out more?
An Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering can give you entry
into university. The Technical Certificate of an Advanced
Apprenticeship is often accepted and attracts UCAS points. Look up
some engineering courses on the UCAS website, and see what they say
about accepting alternatives to A level. Many universities offer
degree courses on a part-time basis, which mean you could keep your
job – some employers will even sponsor you through university after
you have finished your Apprenticeship.
A Higher Apprenticeship includes an HNC/HND or Foundation Degree
which also give you entry onto a degree course and your employer
may well sponsor you through university.
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22. What funding/support will I receive for
taking an Apprenticeship?
If you are employed as an Apprentice, you will receive a salary
from your company.
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23. Where can I find out more about
opportunities in my local area?
Employers advertise their vacancies in local newspapers and job
centres. They might use a training provider (sometimes known as a
Group Training Association) to recruit apprentices – see Semta’s
list of GTAs on its website here.
They might also use a local college. Employers are
increasingly registering their vacancies on the National
Apprenticeships Vacancy Matching Service. It is also worth speaking
with friends, relatives and parents of friends. If there is a
company in the area you particularly want to work for, check their
website for details and contact them. Semta has created a
short guide to finding an Apprenticeship in England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland - download it here.
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24. What are the entry requirements / selection
procedures?
For entry to a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Engineering,
employers are usually looking for someone who has 3-4 GCSEs at D-G.
If you have English and Maths, that is even better.
For an Advanced Apprenticeship, 4-5 GCSEs at A*-C including
English and Maths is the usual entry requirement. Sometimes people
with A levels (AS or A2) are preferred, particularly if the
apprenticeship is in a very technical area such as defence.
For a Higher Apprenticeship, entry is normally after completing
an Advanced Apprenticeship or A levels in Maths and Science.
Some companies will consider you if you have not got the
necessary qualifications, but can demonstrate enthusiasm for
Engineering and a willingness to learn.
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25. What is the National Apprenticeships
Vacancy Matching Service?
This is a free service for prospective apprentices, and for
employers. If you are looking for an Apprenticeship, you can search
this site for opportunities, and apply online
here.
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26. How do I find out more about what young people
taking the Engineering Apprenticeship think of their
course?
To read about how Engineering
Apprentices have enjoyed their course, and what they are doing now,
go to The National Apprenticeship
Service website. Simply search under 'Apprentice'
tab and then Real Life Stories in the keyword
field.
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27. How will taking an Apprenticeship in Engineering
support longer term career goals?
Former Engineering Apprentices are to be found at all levels in
a company. Some focus on technical developments, others move into
Project Management – some are Chief Executives! If you are
interested in Engineering, an Apprenticeship will enable you to
explore all kinds of career pathways.
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28. I’ve got my Apprenticeship in
Engineering, what now?
Talk to your employer about further study – perhaps they will
support you to continue at college or go to university. If you have
completed an Advanced Apprenticeship, why not investigate
professional registration – you could become accredited to EngTech
status or above with one of the professional engineering
institutions.
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29. What are PLTS and how to I record evidence?
This document
provides an explanation of PLTS and an evidence
log.
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