Engineering Apprenticeships

Course Overview

Develop the practical skills, technical knowledge and workplace experience needed to begin a career in engineering and manufacturing.

Engineering operatives complete a range of activities that support the manufacture, assembly, maintenance, testing or finishing of engineering products and equipment.

The apprenticeship combines core engineering knowledge with training relevant to your job role. Your pathway will be selected according to the work undertaken by your employer.

Entry Requirements

To begin this apprenticeship, you must:

• Be employed in a suitable engineering or manufacturing role

• Hold GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 2 or above, or Functional Skills English and Mathematics at Level 1

• Be prepared to study towards and attempt Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Mathematics during the apprenticeship

• Be able to undertake the practical workplace activities required

• Demonstrate an interest in engineering and practical work

• Meet any additional requirements set by your employer

You will receive support to develop your English and mathematics skills alongside your practical and technical training.

Not yet employed? You can register your interest and search for suitable apprenticeship vacancies. You must secure an appropriate job before starting the programme.

Who Is This Apprenticeship For?

This apprenticeship could be right for you if you:

• Enjoy practical, hands-on work

• Are interested in engineering, machinery or manufacturing

• Like understanding how components and equipment work

• Can follow drawings and technical instructions

• Work accurately and pay attention to detail

• Enjoy solving practical problems

• Can work independently and as part of a team

• Want to earn a salary while developing engineering skills

Specialist Pathways

The apprenticeship includes core engineering skills and one specialist job-role pathway:

• Engineering maintenance

• Mechanical manufacturing engineering

• Electrical and electronic engineering

• Fabrication

• Materials processing or finishing

• Technical support

Your employer and New City College will confirm the pathway that reflects your workplace responsibilities.

What You Will Learn

Health and Safety

• Engineering health and safety requirements

• Identifying hazards and controlling risks

• Safe use of personal protective equipment

• Safe isolation and lock-off procedures where relevant

• Manual handling

• Safe use of machinery and equipment

• Maintaining clean and organised work areas

• Responding to emergencies

• Working within the limits of your competence

Engineering Information

• Reading engineering drawings

• Interpreting work instructions and specifications

• Understanding engineering symbols

• Measurements, dimensions and tolerances

• Completing job and production documentation

• Recording results accurately

• Using digital engineering information

• Reporting faults, defects or non-conforming work

Tools, Materials and Equipment

• Selecting appropriate hand and power tools

• Inspecting tools before use

• Using measuring and testing equipment

• Understanding common engineering materials

• Preparing materials and components

• Maintaining and storing tools correctly

• Identifying damaged or unsuitable equipment

• Using materials efficiently and sustainably

Quality and Improvement

• Following quality procedures

• Inspecting components and completed work

• Using measuring equipment to check accuracy

• Identifying defects and variations

• Understanding tolerances and quality standards

• Contributing to continuous improvement

• Reducing waste and improving efficiency

• Following workplace production procedures

Engineering Maintenance Pathway

You may learn how to:

• Complete planned maintenance activities

• Assist with fault diagnosis

• Remove and replace components

• Use maintenance tools and equipment

• Inspect machinery for damage or wear

• Test equipment following maintenance

• Restore equipment safely to operation

• Complete maintenance records

Mechanical Manufacturing Pathway

You may learn how to:

• Plan manufacturing activities

• Prepare machines and work-holding devices

• Measure and mark materials

• Produce components and assemblies

• Use mechanical manufacturing techniques

• Check dimensions and tolerances

• Inspect completed components

• Follow production and quality requirements

Electrical and Electronic Pathway

You may learn how to:

• Identify electrical and electronic components

• Prepare, route and terminate cables

• Assemble electrical panels and components

• Work with switches, relays, contactors and protective devices

• Assemble basic electronic components

• Follow safe isolation procedures

• Complete basic electrical tests

• Record and report test results

Materials Processing or Finishing Pathway

You may learn how to:

• Prepare materials for processing

• Operate relevant machinery and equipment

• Apply processing or finishing techniques

• Monitor operating conditions

• Inspect surface quality and finish

• Identify processing defects

• Follow environmental and waste-disposal procedures

• Complete production records

Technical Support Pathway

You may learn how to:

• Interpret technical drawings and information

• Support production or engineering teams

• Prepare technical documents

• Record and analyse engineering information

• Assist with inspection and testing

• Monitor work against specifications

• Communicate technical information

• Support improvements to engineering processes

What Will I Do at Work?

Depending on your pathway, your responsibilities could include:

• Preparing tools, materials and work areas

• Reading engineering drawings and instructions

• Manufacturing or assembling components

• Supporting maintenance activities

• Wiring or testing electrical components

• Cutting and preparing fabrication materials

• Operating manufacturing or processing equipment

• Inspecting finished work

• Recording measurements and results

• Identifying and reporting defects

• Maintaining tools and equipment

• Supporting improvements to safety, quality and efficiency

Mandatory Qualifications

During the apprenticeship, you must complete:

• Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (Skills)

• Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Engineering Operations (Knowledge)

These qualifications must be completed before you progress to the end-point assessment.

Duration

The apprenticeship typically takes 18 months to reach the end-point assessment gateway. The end-point assessment must normally begin within three months of confirmation that the gateway requirements have been met.

The overall duration may vary according to your previous experience, prior learning and workplace opportunities.

How You Will Be Assessed

Your knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours will be developed and assessed throughout the apprenticeship through:

• Practical engineering activities

• Technical knowledge assessments

• Workplace observations

• Mandatory engineering qualifications

• A reflective evidence portfolio

• Employer feedback

• Regular progress reviews

• English and mathematics development

At the end of the programme, you will complete an independent end-point assessment consisting of:

• Practical skills observation: Demonstrating the core skills and specialist activities relevant to your job

• Professional discussion: Discussing your engineering knowledge, workplace experience and evidence portfolio with an independent assessor

You must pass both components. The overall apprenticeship grades are pass, distinction or fail.

Why Study With Us?

At New City College, you will benefit from:

• Practical training in engineering workshops

• Teaching from experienced engineering professionals

• Training linked directly to your workplace responsibilities

• Development in engineering safety, quality and practical skills

• Regular progress reviews involving you and your employer

• Support to complete the mandatory qualifications

• Guidance when building your reflective portfolio

• Structured preparation for your end-point assessment

As an apprentice, you will earn a salary, gain valuable industry experience and receive your apprenticeship training without paying tuition fees.

Career Opportunities

After completing the apprenticeship, you could progress into roles such as:

• Engineering operative

• Manufacturing operative

• Maintenance operative

• Mechanical engineering operative

• Electrical or electronic operative

• Fabrication operative

• Machine operative

• Assembly operative

• Technical support operative

• Materials-processing operative

Further development could include:

• Engineering Fitter Level 3

• Machining Technician Level 3

• Metal Fabricator Level 3

• Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Level 3

• Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3

• Relevant technical qualifications or a T Level

• Supervisory or team-leadership roles

Take Your Next Step

Already employed in a suitable engineering or manufacturing role? Speak to your employer about starting the apprenticeship with New City College.

Looking for an opportunity? Register your interest and explore our current engineering apprenticeship vacancies.

NB. This standard is currently undergoing revision, although the existing version remains approved for delivery. This page will therefore be reviewed when Skills England publishes the revised standard.

Course Overview

Develop the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to maintain, repair and improve the machinery, equipment and systems that keep modern industry running.

Engineering maintenance technicians work across sectors including manufacturing, energy, utilities, food production, pharmaceuticals, transport and building services. They complete planned and reactive maintenance, diagnose faults, repair or replace components and safely return equipment to operation.

You will complete your apprenticeship in one specialist discipline, selected to match your job role:

• Electrical Engineering Maintenance

• Mechanical Engineering Maintenance

• Control and Instrumentation Engineering Maintenance

Entry Requirements

To begin this apprenticeship, you must:

• Be employed in a suitable engineering maintenance role

• Have GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2

• Have GCSE English at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills English Level 2

• Be able to undertake the workplace activities required by your selected pathway

• Meet any additional requirements set by your employer

Relevant engineering experience and previous qualifications will be considered during your initial assessment.

Not yet employed? You can register your interest and search for suitable apprenticeship vacancies. You must secure an appropriate job before starting the programme.

Who Is This Apprenticeship For?

This apprenticeship could be right for you if you:

• Enjoy understanding how machines and systems work

• Like practical tasks and technical problem-solving

• Can work carefully and follow safety procedures

• Are interested in electrical, mechanical or control systems

• Want to earn a salary while gaining recognised skills

• Can work independently and as part of an engineering team

What You Will Learn

All apprentices will develop knowledge and skills in:

• Health, safety and environmental working practices

• Planned, preventative and reactive maintenance

• Fault diagnosis and structured problem-solving

• Safe isolation and preparation of equipment

• Inspection, testing and condition monitoring

• Repairing and replacing components

• Reading engineering drawings, schematics and technical information

• Recording maintenance activities and reporting technical findings

• Quality assurance and continuous improvement

• Sustainability and energy efficiency

• Teamwork, communication and professional behaviours

Specialist Pathways

Electrical Engineering Maintenance

You may learn how to:

• Maintain electrical circuits, motors and power supplies

• Work with single-phase and three-phase systems

• Inspect cables, conductors, switchgear and control panels

• Complete safe electrical isolation

• Diagnose electrical faults

• Repair and replace electrical components

• Test equipment before returning it to operation

Mechanical Engineering Maintenance

You may learn how to:

• Maintain bearings, shafts, gears, belts and couplings

• Work with pumps, valves, pipework and mechanical assemblies

• Dismantle, inspect and rebuild machinery

• Complete alignment and adjustment activities

• Diagnose mechanical faults and equipment wear

• Repair or replace mechanical components

• Test machinery and confirm its operational condition

Control and Instrumentation Engineering Maintenance

You may learn how to:

• Maintain sensors, transmitters and measuring equipment

• Work with control panels and automated systems

• Measure variables such as temperature, pressure, flow and level

• Calibrate and configure instrumentation

• Diagnose faults in control and instrumentation systems

• Interpret control diagrams and technical data

• Test systems before returning them to service

Your employer and New City College will confirm which pathway best reflects your occupational role.

What Will I Do at Work?

Your responsibilities could include:

• Inspecting equipment and identifying signs of wear or failure

• Completing servicing and preventative maintenance

• Responding to breakdowns and equipment faults

• Diagnosing problems within your specialist discipline

• Repairing and replacing defective components

• Testing equipment before returning it to operation

• Updating maintenance records

• Reporting technical findings

• Supporting improvements to reliability, efficiency and performance

Duration

The apprenticeship typically takes 42 months, or 3.5 years, followed by an end-point assessment period of approximately four months.

The duration may vary depending on your previous experience, prior learning and workplace opportunities.

How You Will Be Assessed

Your progress will be assessed throughout the apprenticeship using practical activities, technical assignments, workplace evidence and regular progress reviews.

At the end of the programme, you will complete an independent end-point assessment consisting of:

• An observation of your work with questions

• An interview supported by an evidence portfolio

• A multiple-choice knowledge test

You must pass all three components. The overall apprenticeship grades are pass, merit, distinction or fail.

Why Study With Us?

At New City College, you will benefit from:

• Practical engineering training linked to your workplace

• Teaching from experienced engineering professionals

• Regular progress reviews involving you and your employer

• Support to develop technical knowledge and practical competence

• Guidance when building your evidence portfolio

• Structured preparation for your end-point assessment

• Opportunities to learn alongside apprentices from different industries

As an apprentice, you will earn a salary, gain valuable industry experience and receive your apprenticeship training without paying tuition fees.

Career Opportunities

After completing the apprenticeship, you could progress into roles such as:

• Electrical engineering maintenance technician

• Mechanical engineering maintenance technician

• Control and instrumentation technician

• Plant maintenance technician

• Engineering maintenance technician

• Service technician

• Reliability technician

• Commissioning technician

With further experience and study, you could progress to senior technician, supervisory or engineering leadership roles.

Further study could include:

• A Level 4 apprenticeship

• HNC

• HND

• A relevant engineering degree

The apprenticeship also aligns with the professional requirements for Engineering Technician (EngTech) recognition through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Take Your Next Step

Already employed in a relevant engineering role? Speak to your employer about starting the apprenticeship with New City College.

Looking for an opportunity? Register your interest and explore our current engineering apprenticeship vacancies.

Course Overview

Develop the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to maintain the complex automated equipment used in modern engineering and manufacturing.

Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, electronic, fluid power and control systems. As an apprentice, you will learn how these technologies work together and how to install, test, maintain and repair integrated equipment.

Mechatronics maintenance technicians work in sectors including advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, logistics, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, defence and energy. Their work helps organisations maintain safe, reliable and efficient production.

Entry Requirements

To begin this apprenticeship, you must:

• Be employed in a suitable mechatronics or engineering maintenance role

• Have GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2

• Have GCSE English at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills English Level 2

• Be able to undertake the workplace activities required by the apprenticeship

• Meet any additional requirements set by your employer

Relevant engineering experience and previous qualifications will be considered during your initial assessment.

Not yet employed? You can register your interest and search for suitable apprenticeship vacancies. You must secure an appropriate job before starting the programme.

Who Is This Apprenticeship For?

This apprenticeship could be right for you if you:

• Enjoy understanding how machinery and automated systems work

• Are interested in both electrical and mechanical engineering

• Like practical tasks and technical problem-solving

• Can work carefully and follow safety procedures

• Want to develop skills across several engineering technologies

• Can work independently and as part of an engineering team

• Want to earn a salary while gaining recognised qualifications

What You Will Learn

The apprenticeship develops skills across several interconnected areas of engineering.

Electrical and Electronic Systems

• Electrical circuits, components and power supplies

• Motors, drives, sensors and actuators

• Electrical and electronic testing

• Safe isolation procedures

• Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults

Mechanical Systems

• Bearings, shafts, gears, belts, chains and couplings

• Mechanical drives and transmission systems

• Dismantling, inspecting and rebuilding machinery

• Alignment, adjustment and component replacement

• Diagnosing wear and mechanical failure

Fluid Power

• Hydraulic and pneumatic systems

• Pumps, valves, cylinders and control components

• Reading fluid-power diagrams

• Testing pressures and system performance

• Diagnosing leaks, restrictions and component faults

Automation and Control

• Automated production equipment

• Programmable logic controllers

• Control systems and operating sequences

• Sensors, safety devices and system interfaces

• Fault-finding within integrated automated systems

• Maintenance and storage of software programs and backups

Maintenance Practice

• Planned, preventative and reactive maintenance

• Condition monitoring and equipment inspection

• Fault diagnosis and structured problem-solving

• Installation, testing and commissioning

• Calibration and use of measuring equipment

• Technical drawings, schematics and maintenance information

• Maintenance records and equipment handover

• Continuous improvement and reducing equipment downtime

Professional Behaviours

• Health, safety and environmental responsibility

• Working accurately and meeting quality standards

• Communicating technical information

• Teamwork and professional conduct

• Taking responsibility for tools, equipment and work areas

• Adapting to new technologies

• Continuing professional development

What Will I Do at Work?

Your responsibilities could include:

• Inspecting automated plant and production equipment

• Completing planned and preventative maintenance

• Responding to equipment breakdowns

• Diagnosing electrical, mechanical and control-system faults

• Repairing or replacing defective components

• Testing equipment before returning it to operation

• Installing or modifying machinery and systems

• Monitoring equipment condition and performance

• Updating technical and maintenance records

• Supporting improvements to reliability, efficiency and productivity

Depending on your employer, you may work in factories, workshops, distribution centres or other engineering environments. Some roles may involve shift work or working in challenging environments.

Mandatory Qualification

As part of the apprenticeship, you will complete an approved Level 3 technical knowledge qualification in advanced manufacturing engineering. The specific qualification will be confirmed at enrolment and must be achieved before you begin your end-point assessment.

Duration

The apprenticeship typically takes 42 months, or 3.5 years, to reach the end-point assessment gateway, followed by an assessment period of approximately six months.

The duration may vary depending on your previous experience, prior learning and workplace opportunities.

How You Will Be Assessed

Your knowledge, skills and behaviours will be developed and assessed throughout the apprenticeship through:

• Practical engineering activities

• Technical assignments and assessments

• Workplace observations

• An evidence portfolio

• Regular progress reviews with you and your employer

• Completion of the required technical knowledge qualification

At the end of the programme, you will complete an independent end-point assessment consisting of:

• Observation with questions: An independent assessor will observe you completing practical work

• Interview supported by a portfolio: You will discuss your knowledge, skills and workplace experience with an independent assessor

The overall apprenticeship grades are pass, distinction or fail.

Why Study With Us?

At New City College, you will benefit from:

• Practical training across electrical, mechanical and automated systems

• Teaching from experienced engineering professionals

• Training linked directly to your workplace responsibilities

• Regular progress reviews involving you and your employer

• Support to develop technical knowledge and practical competence

• Guidance when building your evidence portfolio

• Structured preparation for your end-point assessment

• Opportunities to learn alongside apprentices from different industries

As an apprentice, you will earn a salary, gain valuable industry experience and receive your apprenticeship training without paying tuition fees.

Career Opportunities

After completing the apprenticeship, you could progress into roles such as:

• Mechatronics maintenance technician

• Mechatronics technician

• Multi-skilled maintenance technician

• Automation maintenance technician

• Maintenance technician

• Field service maintenance technician

• Manufacturing maintenance technician

• Maintenance team member

With further experience and study, you could progress into senior technician, reliability, automation, engineering supervision or technical leadership roles.

Further study could include:

• Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4

• Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 4

• An engineering HNC or HND

• A manufacturing or engineering degree apprenticeship

• A relevant engineering degree

The apprenticeship aligns with the professional requirements of the Institution of Engineering and Technology for Engineering Technician recognition.

Take Your Next Step

Already employed in a relevant engineering or automated maintenance role? Speak to your employer about starting the apprenticeship with New City College.

Looking for an opportunity? Register your interest and explore our current engineering apprenticeship vacancies.