Advanced Technician in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering(Pilot)

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of four mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,

• Micro Credential Outcomes

• Essential Skills

• On/off the job training

IN SUMMARY

• Level 2 Sustainability Knowledge Pre-requisite

• Level 3 EAL NVQ Diploma in Access to Advanced Engineering Manufacture (Skills) (or agreed proxy of a successful Level 3 apprenticeship framework outcome in a engineering related subject area)

• Level 4 EAL Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advanced Engineering Manufacture (Skills) 

• Level 4 Higher Knowledge Qualification from choice relating to pathway route

• Microcredential Outcomes relating to chosen pathway route

• Essential skills or proxies.

Entry requirements

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 at Level 3 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 (Deemed Mature Entry Learner 25+) 

• they are currently employed in the sector and are looking for personal development and career progression. (Deemed Mature Entry Learner 25+)

 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.

It is important to note that learners registering on this Qualification should have achieved the EAL Level 2 Award in Sustainable Engineering (610/4198/1) as a requirement for successful completion of this framework. Please see the EAL website for further details.

This framework has been designed to support a learner’s development and build their proficiency in engineering skills that will be transferable across contexts. It does this by offering eight pathway routes, each of which have units at Levels 3 and 4. 

The units have been selected by employers and industry- based organisations to reflect the specific pathways and offer the opportunity to demonstrate the required depth of blended skills at these levels for the pathway context.

This relevant NVQ Qualification is gained when all the necessary units including pre-requisites have been achieved. The centre will then be able to apply for the learner’s NVQ certificate of achievement. The learner will also receive a certificate of unit credit, listing all the units they have achieved.

If learners do not complete the full qualification, they can still claim a certificate of unit credit for the units achieved. This will mean that they will still have proof of their ability as accredited prior learning and could complete one of the NVQ qualifications at a later date.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 4: Advanced Technician

Level 4: Advanced Technician Qualifications

Participants must achieve both competence qualifications and one knowledge qualifications stated below. However a learner having documented evidence of completing a Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme in an Engineering and Manufacturing discipline is exempt the Level 3 competence element of the framework listed below.

Participants must achieve one of the knowledge qualifications from Annex 1

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh 

On/Off the Job training

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 19+ years minimum and abide by entry pre-requisite rules.

Progression

Progression into the pathway for some learners could be achieved by having: 

• 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 successfully completed a Higher Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering could be: 

 progression to a Degree Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering at Level 6. Please note that there is no Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship framework, but it is expected to begin the Degree Apprenticeship at higher entry stage after discussions with a relevant University in Wales

• employment as an advanced 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).
• Both of the above

 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 framework . It may also, where appropriate, provide progression to a range of honours degrees. 

 Professional recognition (tbc)

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

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.

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that any apprentices new to the industry (direct entry)(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 framework is delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from Medr

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