Where will this course lead?

Engineering Manufacturing Technicians are found in large and small engineering and manufacturing organisations, providing products and services throughout a wide range of sectors, such as: automotive, aerospace/airworthiness, chemical processing, land systems, marine, maritime defence, materials manufacturers and their respective supply chains. Research indicates that the sector needs to recruit approximately 124,000 engineers and technicians every year.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide specialist technical support for engineers, so that organisations can develop, produce, or test new/existing products, processes, or procedures and meet customer specifications in terms of quality, cost and delivery, as efficiently and effectively as possible. Engineering Manufacturing Technicians gather information and analyse data from a range of sources and make decisions, solve problems and produce and/or update technical documentation, reports, or specifications, covering areas such as quality, reliability, production schedules/targets, costing or other technical documentation that informs others (internally or externally); Further to this, they will state what needs to be done, such as how a product must be designed, manufactured, tested, modified, maintained, stored, transported, or commissioned/decommissioned.

In their daily work, an apprentice in this occupation interacts with their line manager to confirm departmental programmes of work and to agree individual responsibilities and this in turn will align to an overarching organisational resource and delivery plan. Engineering Manufacturing Technicians can be office based, manufacturing/plant based, or more commonly a combination of both, working with engineering and/or manufacturing teams at an operational level, such as with production team leaders and/or management that are working with specialist quality, or design engineers. As well as liaising with internal colleagues, they may also be responsible for working directly with customers and/or suppliers, or with representatives from appropriate regulatory bodies. Typically this would involve interaction with auditors to demonstrate compliance to specific organisational or regulatory requirements (such as Civil Aviation Authority).

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the quality, safety and delivery of the manufactured product or service, ensuring it is delivered to the customer on time and at the agreed cost. They will typically report to an engineering or manufacturing manager as part of a cross functional team and the size of this team and its responsibilities will vary depending upon the size of the employer. Although working within defined quality processes and procedures, they are responsible for the delivery, quality and accuracy of the work they complete. They have the autonomy to use judgement when

undertaking the occupational duties and applying their technical knowledge, skills and behaviours, in a wide variety of contexts and environments. They use a range of tools and techniques to support decision making and solve problems that are often complex and non-routine. Apprentices also have a responsibility to identify and contribute to making improvements, such as business processes, procedures and methods of working.

This apprenticeship is suitable for currently working in, or progressing into the following roles:

Manufacturing Engineer Quality; Manufacturing Production Engineer; Manufacturing Procurement Engineer; Quality Engineer; Costing Engineer; Test and Commissioning Engineer; Installation Engineer; Process Engineer; Production Support Engineer.

What will I study?

You will study the knowledge, skills and behaviours as set out within the apprenticeship standard, which will include the following subjects…

· Problem solving tools/techniques, such as practical problem solving (PPS), root cause analysis (RCA) and process failure mode effects analysis (PFMEA)

· Effective communication techniques and supporting others

· Lean methods and tools used in manufacturing and engineering (such as Kaizen, Six Sigma and 8 wastes)

· How Industry 4.0 will impact organisations, including the integration of automation, digital systems and manufacturing engineering systems

· Quality management and compliance systems such as ISO9001, AS9100, ISO 14001 and TS16949 and their internal governance arrangements

· Manufacturing methods such as machining, joining, forming, assembling, shaping, processing, printing, moulding, extruding and casting

· Principles of quality control and quality assurance in an engineering and manufacturing environment

· Team integration techniques, including conflict resolution and managing difficult conversations

· Core engineering principles such as mathematics, science, mechanical and electrical/electronic applications

· Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), recording systems and documentation and the potential implications on safety

· Statutory and organisation health and safety policies, procedures and regulations, including the risk assessment process and its procedures

· Project management techniques, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar charts and summary risk profiles

· How human factors can influence and impact individual characteristics, performance and behaviours in the workplace

· Engineering and manufacturing documentation used, such as job cards / build records, 2D & 3D drawing/models, Bill of Materials (BOM), cost analysis reports, compliance reports, Standard Operating Instructions (SOIs), Standard Process Instructions (POIs), Engineering Query Notifications (EQNs) and Drawing Query Notifications (DQNs)

· Prioritisation of workload/time management techniques

· How organisations manage and monitor internal and or supplier performance to ensure that cost, quality, delivery and sustainability objectives are being delivered

· Use of common metallic and non-metallic materials

· Different production methods, such as single, batch, flow and mass

· Measurements such as dimensions, weight, signal, temperature, time and testing, such as non-destructive and destructive

· Create, record and review financial data and information

· Computer based software system/packages used such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), data analytics, collection systems and databases

· The impact of sustainability and environmental efficiency and how such matters influence manufacturing decisions

How will this course be delivered?

The apprenticeship programme consists of 'on-the-job' and 'off-the-job' training. You will receive on-the-job training from your employer and will also be allowed 20% off-the job training, which will involve your college day-release and independent study.

Your independent study will be recorded in a learning journal, to capture evidence of your experiences, reflections and achievements.

An assessor coach will be allocated to you and will visit your workplace on a regular basis, liaising with your work-based mentor, but you will also receive master-class workshops from college tutors.

This will give you the opportunity to do real work, developing work-based skills that employers' value and helping you to progress in your chosen career.

What qualifications will I get?

· Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Standard

· Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Engineering / Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Operations

· EAL Level 2 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Competence Qualification)

· Level 2 Functional Skills Maths and English (if required)

How will I be assessed?

The apprentice's progress and development will be assessed at regular stages - this is likely to be a combination of assignments, activities, exams, reflective discussions and observations in the workplace.

The employer and training provider will formally sign-off the apprentice's readiness for the independent End Point Assessment (EPA) at 'gateway'. Gateway is the point at which the apprentice has met and can confidently apply the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required, as detailed within the apprenticeship standard.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) will consist of 2 distinct components:

· Observation with questioning

· Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

Performance in the EPA will determine your overall apprenticeship grade i.e. pass or distinction.

How do I get a place on the course?

In order to gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All applications are to be submitted via the college website:

https://www.solihull.ac.uk/apprentice/how-do-i-apply

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. If you need help with completing your application and at interview, we can provide support:

https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services

What are the entry requirements?

To secure a place of study on Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician programme, the minimum entry requirements are as follows:

· 1 A Level, or 2 AS Levels (40 UCAS points), or an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, such as a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship, or Level 3 Applied Science BTEC Diploma.

· 5 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above and the below…

· English GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent

· Mathematics GCSE Grade 4/C, Level 2 Functional Skills, or equivalent

· Demonstrate a passion for the engineering and manufacturing industry

You must also be employed in a relevant field (as indicated above) for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

What else do I need to know?

There are no direct additional costs for this course, but you may want to purchase some text books for further reading. A suggested reading list will be supplied at the beginning of your course; however, we also have a wide selection of library books and electronic books for you to use too. You will be expected to supply your own stationery, such as folders, pens and paper. Connection to the internet is expected, but facilities are available at college to do this if necessary. Please contact the Employer Services Team for more information regarding funding and costs: apprenticeships@solihull.ac.uk

Please note that employers are responsible for providing, replacing and paying for the apprentice's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is required for training in our workshop environments.

What can I do after this course?

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you can:

· Continue your employment in the industry

OR

· Progress onto the Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer (Degree) Apprenticeship