Where will this course lead?

Engineering Operatives are vital to the success of the engineering and manufacturing sector, allowing employers to grow their business while developing a work force with the relevant skills and knowledge, to enhance and sustain the sector.

Apprentices cover a wide range of common and job specific skill sets, which are transferrable across the industry and throughout the duration of their career. Dependent on the sector that they are employed in, there may be subtle differences in terms of composition and application of specific skills and knowledge; however, the core skills and knowledge will be the same regardless of the area they work in.

Engineering Operatives will have clear reporting lines with anything outside their role and responsibility. They will work individually or as part of a team to carry out a range of engineering operations, which could include ensuring machines and equipment used are maintained and serviceable; dealing with breakdowns; restoring components and systems to serviceable condition by repair and replacement; operating a variety of machinery (CNC or Conventional); assembling and repairing machinery and press tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and other tools; fabrication/installation of a wide variety of other sheet fabrications and equipment; fabrication and assembly of metal parts joining techniques; preparing materials and equipment for engineering processes; providing technical support including communications software, test tools, performance, capacity planning, and e-commerce technology as required.

Engineering Operatives must comply with statutory regulations and the organisation's safety requirements, including any environmental compliance procedures and systems; identifying hazards and hazardous situations; preparing the work area and equipment; obtaining and following the appropriate job documentation and work instructions; extracting the necessary data and information from specifications and related documentation; carrying out the engineering activities in line with their job role; carrying out quality checks as required; working with minimum supervision, either individually or as part of a team and showing responsibility for their own actions and for the quality, accuracy and timely delivery of the work they undertake.

This apprenticeship is suitable for currently working in, or progressing into the following roles:

Servicing & Maintenance Operative; Machine Setter/Operative; Mechanical Engineering Operative; Fabricator; Engineering Fitter; Multi-disciplined Engineering Operative; Materials, Processing & Finishing Operative; Technical Support Operative; Founding/Casting Operative.

What will I study?

You will study the knowledge, skills and behaviours as set out within the apprenticeship standard, which may include the following subjects, dependent upon your role…

· How to obtain the necessary job instructions, engineering drawings and quality specifications and how to interpret them

· Relevant statutory, quality, environmental compliance procedures/systems, organisational and health and safety   regulations, relating to engineering operations (e.g. safe isolation)

· Individual roles and responsibilities within the organisation and the flexibility required to support the achievement of   company targets

· Engineering operational practices, processes and procedures

· Maintenance planning and diagnostic and fault finding techniques

· Mechanical manufacturing and specific equipment operating parameters

· Cable types, electrical and electronic assessment and testing

· Marking out and preparing for fabrication and joining

How will this course be delivered?

The apprenticeship programme consists of 'on-the-job' and 'off-the-job' training. You will receive on-the-job training from your employer and will also be allowed 20% off-the job training, which will involve your college day-release and independent study.

Your independent study will be recorded in a learning journal, to capture evidence of your experiences, reflections and achievements.

An assessor coach will be allocated to you and will visit your workplace on a regular basis, liaising with your work-based mentor, but you will also receive master-class workshops from college tutors.

This will give you the opportunity to do real work, developing work-based skills that employers' value and helping you to progress in your chosen career.

What qualifications will I get?

· Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard

· Level 1 Functional Skills Maths and English (if required)

How will I be assessed?

The apprentice's progress and development will be assessed at regular stages - this is likely to be a combination of assignments, activities, exams, reflective discussions and observations in the workplace.

The employer and training provider will formally sign-off the apprentice's readiness for the independent End Point Assessment (EPA) at 'gateway'. Gateway is the point at which the apprentice has met and can confidently apply the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required, as detailed within the apprenticeship standard.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) will consist of 2 distinct components:

· Practical observation with questions and answers

· Professional discussion supported by a portfolio of evidence

Performance in the EPA will determine your overall apprenticeship grade i.e. pass or distinction.

How do I get a place on the course?

In order to gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All applications are to be submitted via the college website:

https://www.solihull.ac.uk/apprentice/how-do-i-apply

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. If you need help with completing your application and at interview, we can provide support:

https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services

What are the entry requirements?

To secure a place of study on the Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship programme, the minimum entry requirements are as follows:

· English GCSE Grade 2/E, Level 1 Functional Skills, or equivalent

· Mathematics GCSE Grade 2/E, Level 1 Functional Skills, or equivalent

· Demonstrate a passion for engineering and manufacturing

· Be at least 16 years of age

You must also be employed in a relevant field (as indicated above) for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

What else do I need to know?

This course is a part-time programme and you will be expected to attend 1 day per week, between the hours of 09:00 to 17:00. Timetables will be issued to successful applicants prior to induction and enrolment, at the beginning of the course. As part of the national apprenticeship guidance, you will also undergo Equality and Diversity, British values and Prevent Training, which will prepare you with the necessary behaviour needed to work within the construction industry.

Furthermore, you will also be required to complete 20% 'off-the-job' training as a minimum requirement for the apprenticeship course, which may require self-directed study, where will be supported by your assessor coach and work-based mentor.

There are no direct additional costs for this course, but you may want to purchase some text books for further reading. A suggested reading list will be supplied at the beginning of your course; however, we also have a wide selection of library books and electronic books for you to use too. You will be expected to supply your own stationery, such as folders, pens and paper. Connection to the internet is expected, but facilities are available at college to do this if necessary. Please contact the Employer Services Team for more information regarding funding and costs: apprenticeships@solihull.ac.uk

Please note that employers are responsible for providing, replacing and paying for the apprentice's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is required for training in our workshop environments.

What can I do after this course?

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you can:

· Continue your employment in the industry

OR

· Progress onto a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship