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Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship
186,000 engineers needed each year until 2024 to meet UK demand*. Be part of the next generation.
*Engineering UK
Duration:
Approx. 4 years dependent on pathway (20% of time must be spent off the job receiving off-the-job formal guided learning, with the remaining 80% spent learning with your employer).
Start Date:
Any time
Cost:
Employer/Government Funded

Whether you are already in employment and looking to improve your skills, or have just left school or college and want to develop a career path, an engineering apprenticeship can set you on your way to a rewarding vocation.

  • Earn while you learn (paid employment with holiday leave)
  • Receive a nationally-recognised qualification
  • Develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours that employers want
  • Develop critical skills needed in working life
  • Hands-on-experience in a sector or role of interest
  • At least 20% off-the-job training here at our specialist training facilities.
Advanced engineering Apprenticeships
Success stories
Meet Dempsey - Metal Fabrication Apprentice

Dempsey had always had an interest in Engineering and the way things work and took the leap to change his career direction with an Apprenticeship. He believes that having a trade with real skills is a chance to drive his career forward in the future.

 

“I wanted to change my life and realised that an Apprenticeship could be the route I was looking for. Derwent Training have supported me all the way. The atmosphere here is calm and friendly and I’m so pleased I made the decision to come here. Who knows where I will be able to go after this.”

What will I do on an Apprenticeship?

Our 4-year Engineering Apprenticeship Programme allows you to build skills, knowledge and practical experience to succeed in your chosen career.  You will combine both on-the-job learning at your employer with tuition from our trainers at our specialist engineering training facility in Malton one day per week.  Your trainers will carry out formal 10-week checks on your progress and set new targets.

You will choose from 4 development pathways. This will set by the employer dependent on the role you are completing in the workplace:

Mechanical Machining

The Level 3 Machinist Apprenticeship Standard has been developed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to carry out their role as a Machinist. Machinists are predominantly involved in highly skilled, complex and precision work, machining components from specialist materials using conventional tools such as centre lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines, horizontal and cylindrical grinding machines, electro discharge machines, as well as single and multi-axis computerised numerical control (CNC) machine tools.

Qualifications Received:
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Machining (EAL)
Level 2 units
  • Producing mechanical assemblies
  • Preparing and using lathes for turning operations
  • Preparing and using milling machines
  • Underpinning knowledge in hand fitting and sheet metal.
Level 3 units
  • Engineering and environmental health and safety
  • Engineering communications
  • Properties and applications of engineering materials
  • Engineering Maths
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC) techniques
  • Advanced Milling
  • Advanced Turning
  • Engineering Drawings
  • Workplace Improvement.
Portfolio of Evidence (Workplace Qualification)

Three jobs that are applicable to the apprentice’s job role. They will need to collate evidence for their portfolio. 

Typical Career Paths
Course Pathway
Year 1
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers.
Year 2
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers
Year 3
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers
Year 4
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer plus undertake an end-point assessment (EPA)
Mechatronics Maintenance

The Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Standard has been developed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to carry out their role. Mechatronics Maintenance Technicians ensure that plant and equipment perform to the required standard to facilitate production targets regarding safety, delivery, quality and cost within a high value manufacturing environment. Typically the work would cover a broad range of activities including installation, testing, fault-finding and the on-going planned maintenance of complex automated equipment.

Qualifications Received:
Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
  • Working efficiently and effectively in an engineering environment
  • Using and communicating technical information
  • Conducting business improvement activities
  • Producing components using hand fitting techniques
  • Wiring and testing electrical equipment and circuits
  • Wiring and testing programmable controller based systems
  • Assembling and testing electronic circuits
  • Producing sheet metal components and assemblies
  • Assembling, wiring and testing electrical panels/components mounted in enclosures
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • Health and safety in the engineering workplace
  • Communications for engineering technicians
  • Mathematics for engineering technicians
  • Engineering project
  • Electrical and electronic principles in engineering
  • Properties and applications of engineering materials
  • Engineering organisational efficiency and improvement
  • Application and principles of PLC’s
  • Engineering maintenance procedures and techniques
  • Installation of electrical equipment.
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Complying with statutory and organisational safety requirements
  • Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
  • Working efficiently and effectively in advanced manufacturing and engineering
  • Optional units to suit job role.
Typical Career Paths
Course Pathway
Year 1
1 day every week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer.
Year 2
1 day every week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer.
Year 3 & 4
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employer.
Year 4
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer plus undertake an end-point assessment (EPA)
Technical Support Technician

The Level 3 Technical Support Technician Apprenticeship Standard has been developed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to carry out their role in Technical Support within an Engineering and Manufacturing environment. Technical Support Technicians work as part of a team to provide technical support for all areas of the Engineering and Manufacturing function, including process control, performance and continuous improvement solutions, production schedule/planning, produce technical applications and capability, product development and innovation, engineering drawings and quality control.

Qualifications Received:
Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
  • Working efficiently and effectively in an engineering environment
  • Using and communicating technical information
  • Conducting business improvement activities
  • Producing components using hand fitting techniques
  • Maintaining mechanical devices and equipment
  • Producing mechanical assemblies
  • Preparing and using lathes for turning operations
  • Preparing and using milling machines
  • Producing sheet metal components and assemblies
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • Health and safety in the engineering workplace
  • Communication for engineering technicians
  • Mathematics for engineering technicians
  • Engineering project
  • Mechanical principles of engineered systems
  • Properties and applications of engineering materials
  • Engineering organisational efficiency and improvement
  • CAD techniques
  • Engineering drawings for technicians
  • Principles and applications of engineering measurement systems
  • Mechanical measurement and inspection techniques
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Complying with statutory and organisational safety requirements
  • Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation
  • Working efficiently and effectively in advanced manufacturing and engineering
  • One optional unit to suit job role
Typical Career Paths
Course Pathway
Year 1
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers.
Year 2
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers.
Year 3
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employers.
Year 4
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer plus undertake an end-point assessment (EPA)
Metal Fabrication

The Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard has been developed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to carry out their role. The broad purpose of this occupation is to carry out metal fabrication work using things such as rolled steel joists, columns, channels, steel plate and metal sheet etc. Work includes manufacturing bridges, oil rigs, ships, cranes, platforms, automotive and machinery parts, sheet metal enclosures, and anything that can be fabricated out of metal.

Qualifications Received:
Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations Practical Units
  • MMA
  • TIG
  • MIG
  • Thermal Cutting
Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
  • Health and Safety in the Engineering Workplace
  • Communications for Engineering Technicians
  • Mathematics for Engineering Technicians
  • Engineering Organisational Efficiency and Improvement
  • Fabrication and Welding Principles
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • MMA Welding
  • MIG/MAG Welding
  • TIG Welding
  • Producing Sheet Metal Fabrications
  • Workplace Improvement

 

Portfolio of Evidence – Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours (Workplace)

A portfolio of 3 jobs to evidence Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours and will be collated with jobs the apprentice is doing in the workplace. This portfolio will be specific to the apprentice’s role.

End-Point Assessment

The final assessment for every apprentice to ensure they are competent to be certified in the role they have been training for the duration of the apprenticeship. This will be carried out by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation under exam conditions. Only once the apprentice passes their EPA will they be awarded their apprenticeship certificate.

Typical Career Paths
Course Pathway
Year 1
1 day every week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer.
Year 2
1 day every week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer.
Year 3
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days a week with employer.
Year 3 & 4
1 day per week at Derwent Training and 4 days with employer plus undertake an end-point assessment (EPA)
Where might this Apprenticeship take me?
  • Depending on your career pathway, you will achieve either a Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard, Level 3 Machining Technician or Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard
  • You will develop the skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience to set you on your path to a successful career in Engineering and Manufacturing
  • On completion of the Level 3 Apprenticeship you could progress on to the Level Engineering and Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship or the Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor Apprenticeship if you are moving into a management role, attend university or move into full-time employment with a new or existing employer. 
Ready to start your path to engineering success?
How to Apply

There are two main pathways to applying for an Apprenticeship:

  • You can apply directly to a local employer to apply for opportunities
  • You can apply to Derwent Training and our team can support you in securing an Apprenticeship with one of our partner employers. 

Apprenticeships are competitive and they are not like a full-time college course where you are guaranteed a place if you meet the entry requirements. You will need to be pro-active in applying for Apprenticeships, as well as preparing a CV and attending interviews’ with employers, just as you would for any job. 

Entry Requirements

  • You must be at least 16 years old. There is no upper age limit
  • You should have achieved a minimum of 4 GCSE’s (9-4 / A*-C) including English and Maths. GCSE Options such as Resistant Materials, Design Technology and Engineering may be helpful, but not essential
  • To start an Apprenticeship you must be employed in a role working a minimum of 30 hours’ per week and have the employers’ support to start an Apprenticeship
  • As part of our application process we can support you in securing an Apprenticeship but ultimately it is the employers’ decision as you will be their employee. 

Useful Websites

You can access our Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship Leaflet here. 

Our Team

Learn more about the team that will be training and supporting you

Our Training Centre

Learn more about the team that will be training and supporting you

Apprenticeship Funding
Learner Support
Getting Started with an Apprenticeship
How much does an Apprenticeship cost?

The cost of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government and your employer – there are no training costs to be paid by the apprentice. 

As you are earning a wage, your employer may expect you to pay for your travel to Derwent Training for your attendance day. This may be via car, bus or train but every employer is different. It is your responsibility to get to and from the training centre for your off-the-job training. 

Apprenticeship Wage

What you earn as an apprentice will depend on your age, the apprenticeship standard and the location of the employer.

If you are 16-18, or 19 or over and in the first year of your apprenticeship then you may be entitled to the National Apprenticeship Minimum Wage. Many employers do pay more than this but as you are their employee it is their decision. You must be paid for:

  • your normal working hours
  • training that is part of your apprenticeship (at least 20% of your normal working hours)
  • study towards English and Maths qualifications, if they are part of your apprenticeship. 

 

You will usually get at least 20 days of paid annual leave plus bank holidays. You can find information on the National Minimum Wage here.

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