Improving Operational Performance

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway, Performing Engineering Operations is 81 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway, Performing Manufacturing Operations is 72 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Pathway, Business Improvement Techniques is 64 credits.

The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway, Business Improvement Techniques is 152 credits.

Entry requirements

Level 2: Performing Engineering Operations, Performing Manufacturing Operations and Business Improvement Techniques

Employers wish to attract applicants who have an interest in working in an engineering or manufacturing industry, welcoming applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and anticipate that they will have a wide range of experience, achievements and qualifications.

The Level 2 Apprenticeship is suitable for applicants who have five GCSEs grade D to E or above including Maths, English and a Science. This is not a hard and fast rule but may vary according to the job role (operator or semi-skilled) and the suitability of individual applicants.

Employers would be interested in applicants who:

• have previous work experience or employment in the sector or
• have completed a 14 to 19 Diploma in Engineering or Manufacturing or
• have GCSEs in English, Maths, and a Science (grade D to E or higher) or
• have completed an Enhanced Engineering Programme (formerly Pathways to Apprenticeship programme) or
• without formal qualifications can show, possibly through a portfolio, that they have the potential to complete this apprenticeship, through having previously worked in the sector at Level 2 or
• are keen and motivated to work in an engineering / manufacturing and / or process / quality improvement environment or
• are willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the-job and apply this learning in the workplace or
• are practically minded and want to work with their hands or
• have completed a Young Apprenticeship in Engineering or other related area or
• have a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• have completed the Essential Skills Qualifications (ESQ) or
• have an interest in problem solving and organising activities or
• have completed tests in basic numeracy, literacy and communication skills and have spatial awareness.

Level 3: Business Improvement Techniques

Employers wish to attract applicants that have an interest to work in an environment where it is business critical to continually improve the organisations products, processes or services in order to remain competitive, and welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and anticipate that they will have a wide range of experience, achievements and qualifications.

They have strongly recommended that they would be interested in candidates who have:

• previous work experience or employment in the relevant sector and/or occupation
• achieved an N/SVQ Level 2 and/or Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant sector /occupation such as engineering, manufacturing or science
• completed a Foundation Apprenticeship pathway in the relevant sector such as Engineering Manufacture or Improving Operational Performance.

Employers may also consider candidates who:

• are willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the-job and apply this learning in the workplace
• are analytical and have an aptitude for finding solutions to problems
• enjoy working as part of a team
• have at least 5 GCSEs or equivalents including English, Maths, and Science - grade C or above or
• have a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• have A Levels or equivalents in Maths, Science, business or other vocational subject relevant to the sector

Applicants who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Foundation Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: Performing Engineering Operations (PEO)

Level 2: Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

Level 2: Performing Engineering Operations (Level 3 Knowledge) min on the job hours   214 /  min off job hours  428

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Performing Engineering Operations Level 2 (all manufacturing sub-sectors)

If undertaking a Level 2 Knowledge qualification Pathway with minimum total learning hours (Level 2 technical certificate) = 452 training hours

• Competence = minimum 214 hours/ minimum 40 credits

• Knowledge = minimum 70 hours (smallest technical certificate) / minimum 12 credits

If undertaking a Level 3 Knowledge qualification Pathway with minimum total learning hours (Level 3 technical certificate) = 642 training hours

• Competence = minimum 214 hours/ minimum 40 credits

• Knowledge = minimum 260 hours (smallest technical certificate) / minimum 37 credits

The minimum pathway duration time for completion is 12 months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 2: Performing Manufacturing Operations (PMO)

Level 2: Performing Manufacturing Operations (PMO) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Performing Manufacturing Operations Level 2 (all manufacturing sub-sectors)

Pathway with minimum total learning hours = 440 training hours

• Competence = minimum 216 hours/ minimum 48 credits

• Knowledge = minimum 56 hours (smallest technical certificate) /  minimum 12 credits

The minimum pathway duration time for completion is 12 months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 2: Business Improvement Techniques (BIT)

Level 2: Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

Pathway with minimum total learning hours = 473 training hours

• Competence = minimum 249 hours/ minimum 56 credits

• Knowledge = minimum 56 hours (based on the smallest technical certificate training hours) / minimum 13 credits

The minimum pathway duration time for completion is 12 months.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number

Level 3: Business Improvement Techniques (BIT)

Level 3: Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Progression

Level 2: Performing Engineering Operations

Progression routes into this pathway

Entrants to this pathway are likely to primarily be school leavers who have completed their GCSE studies, and in some cases relevant vocational activity such as a Diploma in Engineering, a Welsh Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate (with Principal Learning) or completing a Pre-Apprenticeship programme or extended work experience. More specifically they may:

• have previous employment or work experience in the sector or
• have completed a 14 to 19 Diploma in Engineering or Manufacturing or
• have GCSE's in English, Maths and a Science (grade D to E or higher/new equivalent grade 2 or higher) or
• have completed an Enhanced Engineering Programme (formerly Pathways to Apprenticeship programme) or
• be keen and motivated to work in the engineering/manufacturing industry or
• be practically minded and want to work with their hands or
• be willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the job and apply this learning in the workplace or
• have completed a Pre-Apprenticeship in Engineering or other related area or
• have a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• have completed the Essential Skills Qualifications (EQS) or
• have an interest in problem solving and organising activities or
• have completed tests in basic numeracy, literacy and communications skills and have spatial awareness.

Other entrants may have experience from working in the sector in an engineering or manufacturing context, and are now seeking to become qualified by undertaking an apprenticeship programme.  Particular interest would be shown to those applicants who have had previous work experience or employment in the sector.

Progression routes from this pathway:

It is likely that a significant number of Foundation Apprentices will progress on completion of this pathway to the Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture at Level 3, as the full PEO is the preferred method of acquiring basic engineering skills among employers on this programme.

More generally, most ex-apprentices will start off by carrying out semi-skilled job roles within manufacturing and engineering (see job roles described for the pathway). It is likely that a period of consolidation will be required in these roles before progression can take place. Most

will aspire to a combination of internal promotion within their companies to team leader or supervisor level, while at the same time this affords the opportunity to undertake further education qualifications or an Apprenticeship to upgrade their competence and knowledge to fully skilled status. The Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture at Level 3 offers a choice of 14 occupational sub-sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine, electrical/electronics etc.  This gives wide ranging opportunity.  If they progress on to the Level 3 pathway and already possess a Level 3 Technical Certificate, the Work Based Learning (WBL) contract holders will allow a Level 4 Technical Certificate to be included, depending on industry demand.

The general nature of the Performing Engineering Operations Level 2 NVQ can also allow for apprentices to move between and across sectors.

Level 2: Performing Manufacturing Operations

Progression routes into this pathway:

Entrants to this pathway are likely to primarily be school leavers who have completed their GCSE studies and in some cases relevant vocational activity such as a Diploma in Engineering, Pre-Apprenticeship programme, a Welsh Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate (with Principal Learning) or completing a Pathways to Apprenticeships programme or extended work experience. More specifically they may:

• have previous employment or work experience in the sector or
• have completed a 14 to 19 Diploma in Engineering or Manufacturing or
• have GCSE's in English, Maths and a Science (grade D to E or higher have completed an Enhanced Engineering Programme (formerly Pathways to Apprenticeship programme) or
• be keen and motivated to work in the engineering/manufacturing industry or
• be practically minded and want to work with their hands or
• be willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the job and apply this earning in the workplace or
• have completed a Pre-Apprenticeship programme in Engineering or other related area or
• have a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• have completed the Essential Skills Qualifications (ESQ) or
• have an interest in problem solving and organising activities or
• have completed tests in basic numeracy, literacy and communications skills and have spatial awareness.

Other entrants may have experience from working in the sector in a manufacturing context, and are now seeking to become qualified by undertaking an apprenticeship programme.

Particular interest would be shown to those applicants who have had previous work experience or employment in the sector in a manufacturing context, and are now seeking to become qualified by undertaking an apprenticeship programme.

Progression routes from this pathway:

It is likely that a significant number of Foundation Apprentices will progress on completion of this pathway to the Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture at Level 3, as this is the preferred method of acquiring basic manufacturing skills among employers.

More generally, most ex-apprentices will start off by carrying out semi skilled job roles within manufacturing. It is likely that a period of consolidation will be required in these roles before progression can take place. Most will aspire to a combination of internal promotion within the company to team leader or supervisor level, while at the same time this affords the opportunity to undertake further education qualifications or an Apprenticeship to upgrade their competence and knowledge to fully skilled status.

The Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture at Level 3 offers a choice of 14 occupational sub-sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine, electrical / electronics etc.  This gives wide ranging opportunity.

The general nature of the Performing Manufacturing Operations Level 2 NVQ can also allow for apprentices to move between and across manufacturing sectors.

Level 2: Business Improvement Techniques

Progression routes into this pathway:

It is likely that there will be a mix of entrants into this pathway. Although some will be school leavers who have completed their GCSE studies and in some cases relevant vocational activity such as a Diploma in Manufacturing or other related activity.  Pre-Apprenticeship programme or extended work experience - it is highly likely that older apprentices in the 18 to 24 age category and adults post 25 years will also use this pathway, who have worked in a process driven context and are now considering a Foundation Apprenticeship. Particular interest would be shown to those applicants who have had previous work experience or employment in the sector.

This pathway would particularly suitable for those people who are good at problem solving and enjoy organising activities.

Progression routes from this pathway:

The purpose of this pathway is to enable BIT trained employees to make a contribution to the overall efficiency of their manufacturing or engineering business. The NVQ is about how to continuously improve the processes and procedures involved in carrying out work. It is likely

that Foundation Apprentices will progress on completion of this pathway to work in various aspects of the business to identify and eliminate waste, create flow and improve quality, leading to greater efficiency and increased profitability.

More generally, most ex-apprentices aspire to a combination of internal promotion within their company to team leader or supervisor level, while at the same time taking Further Education qualifications to augment their knowledge.

Some apprentices will go on to complete the Operations and Quality Improvement Apprenticeship which has been produced in partnership with major employers and their supply chains to develop a pool of talent across the UK to support businesses to become more productive and remain competitive often in global markets.

Level 3: Business Improvement Techniques

Progression routes into this pathway:

It is likely that there will be a mix of entrants into this pathway. Although some will be school leavers who have completed their GCSE or Welsh Baccalaureate studies and in some cases relevant vocational activity such as a Diploma in Manufacturing or other related activity, Pre-Apprenticeship programme or extended work experience - it is highly likely that older apprentices in the 18 to 24 age category and adults post 25 will also use this pathway, who have worked in a process driven context and are now considering an Apprenticeship. Particular interest would be shown to those applicants who have had previous work experience or employment in the sector.  More specifically they may:

• have GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science - grade C or above or
• have a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• have A or AS levels in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subjects or
• have completed a Foundation Apprenticeship such as the Engineering Manufacture or Improving Operational Performance Apprenticeship or
• be keen and motivated to work in the selected sector and working environment or
• be willing to undertake a course of training both on-the-job and off-the-job and apply this learning in the workplace or
• have previous work experience or employment in the sector or occupation or
• have completed a 14 to 19 Diploma in a related discipline such as the Engineering or Manufacturing Diploma or
• have completed a Young Apprenticeship in Engineering or other related sector.

This pathway would particularly suitable for those people who are good at problem solving and enjoy organising activities.

Progression routes from the pathway

The purpose of this pathway is to enable employees to make a contribution to the overall improvement of a business. The components included in the Operations and Quality Improvement will ensure that employees can continuously improve processes and procedures as identifying and eliminating waste, creating an efficient flow of a process and improving quality leading to greater efficiency and increased profitability.

While significant numbers of Apprentices will seek internal progression within their companies, some will want to progress to a Higher Apprenticeship such as the Higher Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing; others may decide to opt for a Foundation degree or HNC/HND. More generally, most ex-apprentices aspire to a combination of internal promotion while at the same time undertaking company sponsored qualifications as specified above.

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.

SEMTA recognises the training and business benefits of having apprentices from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring equality and diversity drives all aspects of apprentice selection and recruitment. Equal opportunity and diversity

refers to the active elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination against any person or group.

SEMTA wishes to make a Gender Equality Commitment.  SEMTA has signed the United Kingdom Resource Centre (UKRC) CEO's charter in a bid to step up female recruitment in its key sectors and programmes.

Due to impending skills gaps it is estimated that 187,000 people will be required to be recruited and trained between 2010-2016 within SEMTA’s sectors of aerospace, automotive, bioscience, composites, electrical, electronics, maintenance, marine, mathematics, metals and engineered metal products, renewables and science.

The UKRC is the Government’s leading body for advanced gender equality in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) and the CEO’s charter is a formal commitment to the UKRC’s agenda to challenge the under-representation of women in SET. Women make

up 50% of the labour market, yet they make up less than 20% of the labour market in science, engineering and technology.

The UKRC believes that only a concerted effort by the SET industry will break down the gender barriers that exist in traditionally male dominated environments and we want to be part of a new consensus which will create an inclusive working environment for women.

The manufacturing industries in which this Pathway operates are traditionally dominated by a white, male workforce. However, faced with an ageing workforce and the probability of skill shortages we must look to attract new entrants from a much more diverse recruitment pool.  This means that all young people and adults considering engineering and manufacturing as a career are welcome.

Providers of apprenticeship training and employers must actively monitor equality of opportunity and diversity procedures and take positive action where necessary to ensure equal access and treatment for all. Apprenticeships must be seen as a vital route to encourage and facilitate long term change in the equality and diversity of the

Engineering sector, therefore entry conditions into this Pathway are extremely flexible. All effort should be made to increase the diversity of our apprentice population.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

 Further information may be obtained from: Medr

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