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Pathway summary

Engineering Manufacture

Framework:
Engineering Manufacture
Level:
2/3

Engineering manufacture apprenticeships will provide you with the knowledge and skills in specialist areas of expertise. Areas include engineering operations and techniques; and maintenance of equipment and machinery.  

Manufacturing companies produce things on both industrial and small scales, which in turn keeps all the other industries supplied with the materials needed to do their job.

Engineering, meanwhile, is all about making these things work and includes everything from servicing escalators to checking RAF aircraft to activating phone lines.

Pathway options and levels

Engineering Manufacture (Operator and Semi-skilled) – Level 2

Example of job roles include:

Pathway 1: Semi-skilled Fitter (Aircraft assembly), Aerospace Component Assembly Fitter, Survival Equipment Maintenance Mechanic, and Aircraft Maintenance Fitter.

Pathway 2:  Marine Fabricator, Installation Engineer Mechanical Fitter, Boat Builder/Shipwright, and Sailmaker.

Pathway 3:  Machine Setter Operator, Semi-skilled Sheet Metal Worker, and CNC Operator/Setter.

Pathway 4: Mechanical Maintenance Fitter, Military Armourer and Marine Maintenance Fitter.

Pathway 5: Maintenance Welding Operative, Fitter Welder, Pipe Fitter, Semi-skilled Sheet Metal Worker and Welder.

Pathway 6: Materials Processing and Finishing – examples of job roles include Mould and Core Maker, Process engineer (Casting), Sand Caster, Die Caster and Casting Inspector.

Pathway 7: Examples of job roles include Production Engineering, Non-Destructive Testing, Technical Support, Quality Control Inspector and Metrology Assistant.

Engineering Manufacture (Craft and Technician) – Level 3

Examples of job roles include:

Pathway 1: Aircraft Systems Fitter, Aero Engine Fitter, Aircraft Systems Development Technician, Aircraft Maintenance Fitter, Composite Technician and Airframe Fitter.

Pathway 2: Marine Fabricator, Marine Machinist, Marine Carpenter, Electronics Technician, Specialist Welder (Submarines).

Pathway 3: Skilled Machinist ,Tool-maker, Metal Forger, Skilled Sheet Metal Worker, Skilled Fitter, Composite Manufacturer and Pipe Fitter and Assembler

Pathway 4: Marine Engineer, Marine Electrician, Shipwright (Boat builder), Marine Painter, Rigger/Boatmover, Fit out Carpenter.   

Pathway 5: Mechanical Maintenance Technician, Electronics Maintenance Technician, Lift Services, Plant, Systems Maintenance Technician.  

Pathway 6: Sheet Metal Worker, Plater/Fabricator and Welder.

Pathway 7: Process Engineer(Casting), Mould and Core Maker(semi-skilled),Sand caster and Die Caster.

Pathway 8: CAD Draught-person, Measurement and Control Technician, Quality Control Inspector, Technical Support Engineer and Metrology Inspector.

Pathway 9: Industrial Electrician, Electrical Engineering Technician, Electronics Technician, Electronics Assembly Technician, Electronics Manufacture Technician.

Pathway 10: Installation and Commissioning Technician (Heavy plant equipment) and Installation and Commissioning Technician (Light equipment).  

Pathway 11: Toolmaker (Manufacture) and Toolmaker (Research and development).

Pathway 12:  Vehicle Test Technician, Motorsport Technician, Vehicle Builder (Commercial and passenger carrying vehicles) and Vehicle Development Technician.

Pathway 13: Engineering Woodworking, Pattern and Model making – supports the job roles of Engineering Woodworker, Engineering Model maker and CNC Wood.

Pathway 14: Project Leader (Engineering), Project Manager (Engineering) and Product Support Engineer.

Further information

Duration

Level 2:  18 months

Level 3:  42 months

Progression routes

Level 2 Routes include:

  • Employment
  • Further Education or an Apprenticeship to upgrade competence and knowledge to fully skilled status.

Level 3  Routes include:

  • Team Leader or supervisory roles
  • Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering
  • Foundation degree or HNC/HND.

Qualifications

Level 2: NVQ Diploma

Level 3: NVQ Extended Diploma/Diploma  

What are the entry requirements for this pathway?

All apprenticeship pathways in Wales have entry requirements.
If you are interested in undertaking this pathway – you need to have the following entry level qualification(s);

Level 2

The Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture framework is suitable for applicants who have five GCSEs grade C (new equivalent grade 4) or above including Maths, English, and a Science. 

Employers would be interested in applicants who:

  • have previous work experience or employment in the sector; or
  • are keen and motivated to work in an engineering/manufacturing 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
  • have a Welsh Baccalaureate; or
  • have GCSEs in English, Maths and 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) in a relevant discipline; or
  • are practically minded and want to work with their hands; 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
  • have completed the Essential Skills Qualifications (ESQ).

Level 2: No additional formal entry requirements

Level 3

The Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture framework is suitable for applicants who have five GCSEs grade C (new equivalent grade 4) or above including Maths, English, and a Science. 

Employers would be interested in applicants who:

  • have previous work experience or employment in the sector; or
  • are keen and motivated to work in an engineering/manufacturing 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
  • have a Welsh Baccalaureate; or
  • have GCSEs in English, Maths and 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) in a relevant discipline; or
  • are practically minded and want to work with their hands; 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
  • have completed the Essential Skills Qualifications (ESQ).

Level 3: No additional formal entry requirements

View full pathway

Document revisions

26 November 2021