Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

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 4: Aerospace is 245 credits.

Level 4: Mechanical is 245 credits.

Level 4: Electrical / Electronics is 245 credits.

Level 4: Automotive is 245 credits.

Level 4: Maintenance is 245 credits.

Level 4: Wind Generation is 245 credits.

Level 4: Marine is 245 credits.

Level 4: Space Engineering is 245 credits.

Level 4: Rail Engineering is 245 credits.

Entry requirements

General Entry Requirements for - Level 4 – Aerospace/ Mechanical /Electrical / Electronics/Automotive/Maintenance/Wind Generation/Marine/Space Engineering/Rail Engineering.

Employers wish to attract applicants who have an interest in working in a manufacturing/ engineering environment at technician level and who come from a diverse range of backgrounds with a wide range of experience, achievements or qualifications. Please note: Applicants for this pathway need to be 18+ years.

Entry to this pathway is flexible so that applicants:

• may have variety of qualifications such as A Levels, Certificate/Diploma in Engineering, Apprenticeship in Engineering 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 3 or
• they are currently employed in the sector and are looking for personal development and career progression.

Learners who have completed the Welsh Baccalaureate may have completed units or short courses which will provide underpinning knowledge towards the Apprenticeship. This will be assessed during an initial assessment allowing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where appropriate.

Prior experience in the sector

Applicants that are already working in the sector or who have recently worked in the sector, can apply to have their experience formally recognised by an awarding organisation and this will count towards the qualification(s) in this pathway.

Specific Entry Conditions for - Level 4 – Aerospace/ Mechanical /Electrical/ Electronics/Automotive/Maintenance/Wind Generation/Marine/Space Engineering/Rail Engineering.

There are no additional requirements other than the general entry conditions.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 4: Aerospace

Level 4: Aerospace 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)

245 credits for competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Aerospace Foundation Apprenticeship is 1163.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Mechanical

Level 4: Mechanical 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)

245 credits for competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Signalling Apprenticeship is 1190.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4 Electrical / Electronics

Level 4 Electrical / Electronics 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

245 credits for competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Electrical / Electronics Higher Apprenticeship is 1198.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Automotive

Level 4: Automotive 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

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Automotive Higher Apprenticeship is 1275.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Maintenance

Level 4: Maintenance Qualifications

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Maintenance Higher Apprenticeship is 1215.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Wind Generation

Level 4: Wind Generation Qualifications

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Wind Generation Higher Apprenticeship is 1275.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Marine

Level 4: Marine Qualifications

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Marine Higher Apprenticeship is 1275.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Space Engineering

Level 4: Space Engineering Qualifications

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Space Engineering Higher Apprenticeship is 1275.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: Rail Engineering

Level 4: Rail Engineering Qualifications

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

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

245 credits for the combined competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the Rail Engineering Higher Apprenticeship is 1155.

Pathway duration approximately 42 months depending on the qualification and unit options selected.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

Applicants for this pathway need to be 18+ years

Progression

Progression from the Level 4 Apprenticeship – Aerospace/Mechanical/ Electrical - Electronics/Automotive/Maintenance/Wind Generation/Marine/ Space Engineering/ Rail Engineering

Progression routes into the pathway include those who have:

• A or AS levels in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subjects and GCSEs in English, Maths and Science - grade C (new equivalent grade 4) or above or
• a Welsh Baccalaureate or
• completed a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship or
• have completed a 14 to 19 Advanced Diploma in Engineering or Manufacturing or
•  previous work experience or employment in engineering at Level 3 or
• other relevant qualifications, experience or skills as given in the entry conditions.

 Progression from this pathway for those who have completed a Higher Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering :  

• progression to the new Degree Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering at Level 6
• progression to the Higher Apprenticeship pathway for Advanced Manufacturing Engineering at Level 6 Please note that there is no Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship programme
• employment as a technician in aerospace/mechanical/Electrical-Electronics/ Automotive/Maintenance/Wind Generation/Marine/Space/Rail engineering in a variety of job roles and functions (see job roles).

 This Apprenticeship provides excellent preparation towards professional registration as an Engineering Technician and progression to Incorporated Engineer registration via the Degree Apprenticeship or Level 6 pathways. It may also, where appropriate, provide progression to a range of honours degrees.

 Professional recognition The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) recognise that this apprenticeship pathway provides the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to allow apprentices to apply for Engineering Technician status within their institutions. The apprenticeship does not confer automatic membership of any of these institutions as an Engineering Technician. Apprentices are free to apply to the institution of their choice and engage the process of registration.

Please note each institution will charge a registration fee, details of these are available through the weblinks below.

www.aerosociety.com

www.theiet.org

www.imeche.org

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.

Cogent and Enginuity recognise the business benefits of having apprentices from a wide variety of diverse backgrounds to contribute to the talent pool. In particular the sector faces an aging workforce and the probability of skill shortages, therefore, we must look to attract new entrants from a much more diverse recruitment pool.

 We are committed to ensuring that equality and diversity drives all aspects of apprentice selection and recruitment and recognise that this is a challenge in a sector which is traditionally white and male-dominated:

• Process and Manufacturing Industries workforce historically has a poor image and a misconception that jobs in these industries are carried out in dark, dirty and potentially dangerous environments. On the contrary, nowadays Process and Manufacturing Industries are very high tech and largely controlled by sophisticated computer technology.  
• Science, engineering and technology - women make up 50% of the labour market, yet they make up less than 20% of the labour market in science, engineering and technology despite the Women into Science and Engineering projects run in the past.

 As partners in this apprenticeship we are taking the following actions to help address these imbalances:

Cogent

• Introduced a series of industry specific case studies and Careers Pathways on the Cogent Careers web site ( www.cogent-careers.com) to encourage people from all backgrounds to enter the nuclear industry
• Works very closely with the National Skills Academy for Nuclear to promote various initiatives such as Energy Foresight within schools (www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk)
• Regularly supports regional/national careers fairs/skills events to promote apprenticeships. 
• Works with representative groups such as the United Kingdom Resource Centre, engaging with their Women in Science and Engineering Work programmes.

 National Skills Academy Food and Drink (formerly Improve)

• Ongoing monitoring of data to identify any issues and intervene where necessary
•  Developing careers materials that are accessible to all 
• Identifying a process to make it easier for potential apprentices to gain information, e.g.by NSAFD's web site.

Enginuity

• Signing up to the Government’s United Kingdom Resource Centre (UKRC) leading body for advanced gender equality in science, engineering and technology and the CEO's charter in a bid to step up female recruitment
• Enginuity’s careers and qualifications centre includes an emag and articles encouraging more women into science and engineering
• Statement on our website that “Enginuity Apprenticeships Service encourages and supports equal opportunities in the engineering and manufacturing industry. Applications for apprenticeship positions are encouraged from all sections of the community to ensure the industry’s workforce reflects the communities in which companies are based. Applications from people with disabilities are encouraged, however it is recognised that the nature of some employment may limit access for those with certain disabilities”.
• Attend national careers fairs to promote science and engineering to a wide audience.

Apprenticeships are seen as a vital route to encourage and facilitate, a greater diversity of individuals into the industry, therefore entry conditions to this pathway are extremely flexible and mentoring has been included to contribute towards increasing retention and achievement rates.

 Enginuity expects providers and employers to comply with the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to and promotion within the sector.

Cogent and Enginuity will monitor take up and achievement through the Higher Apprenticeship Steering Group and take steps to address any barriers to take up and achievement as part of our Sector Qualifications Strategies.

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 Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government

DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

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