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An apprenticeship is a cost-effective way to recruit a new Engineering Operative for your business or to upskill your existing staff. An apprenticeship will enable you to train someone to work in the way that suits your organisation.

This apprenticeship will help you to develop a skilled Engineering Operative, who may be carrying out activity such as operating machinery and equipment, performing maintenance tasks, servicing, assembling and preparing materials and equipment for engineering processes. An Engineering Operative may work in a variety of roles that include machine setter/operator, fabricator, fitter, finishing operative and technical support operative. The apprentice will learn to be proactive in finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improving how the business operates. By completing the apprenticeship, they should be capable of joining your team as a valuable member of staff.

Apprentices without Level 1 (or equivalent) in English and Maths must ensure that they achieve Level 1 and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking the End Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for apprentices for whom this is their primary language.

Core Skills

An Engineering Operative will be able to:

• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems, and other relevant guidelines
• Identify and deal appropriately with any risks, hazards, hazardous situations and problems that may occur within the engineering environment within the limits of their responsibility
• Demonstrate effective communication skills which include oral, written and electronic communications
• Complete appropriate documentation accurately, efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology where required
• Obtain and follow the correct documentation, specifications and work instructions in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the engineering activities, extracting the necessary data/information from specification and related documentation
• Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the engineering operation
• Deal appropriately with any problems that may occur in the manufacturing environment, within the limits of their responsibility
• Work efficiently and effectively at all times, maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste

Manufacturing and engineering organisations require their apprentices to have a set of behaviours that will ensure success both in their role and in the overall company objectives.  The required behaviours are:

• Personal responsibility and resilience â€“ comply with the health and safety guidance and procedures, be disciplined and have a responsible approach to risk; work diligently regardless of how much they are being supervised; accept responsibility for managing time and workload; and stay motivated and committed when facing challenges.
• Work effectively in teams â€“ integrate with the team; support other people; consider the implications of their own actions on other people and the business while working effectively to get the task completed.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills â€“ an open and honest communicator; communicates clearly using appropriate methods; listens well to others; and has a positive and respectful attitude.
• Focus on quality and problem-solving â€“ follow instructions and guidance; demonstrate attention to detail; follow a logical approach to problem-solving; and seek opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency.
• Continuous personal development â€“ reflect on skills, knowledge and behaviours and seek opportunities to develop; adapt to different situations, environments or technologies; and have a positive attitude to feedback and advice.

Engineering Operative Apprenticeship Standard

Additional qualifications: Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (skills) and Level 2 Certificate in Engineering operations (knowledge)

On-programme Assessment

The employer and training provider will use the mandatory Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (competence) and Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Engineering Operations (knowledge) within the Engineering Operative Standard to develop a training plan to ensure that the apprentice receives the appropriate level of knowledge and skills to advance to and successfully complete the Independent End Point Assessment (EPA).

Employer Gateway Review for Progression to Independent End Point Assessment/Readiness for End Point Assessment (EPA)

Before going forward for the EPA, the employer must be satisfied that the apprentice has:

• Satisfactorily completed training covering the skills, knowledge and behaviours as described in the standard
• Achieved all mandatory qualifications – Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations (competence) and Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Engineering Operations (knowledge)
• English and Mathematics at Level 2 (apprentices without English and Mathematics at Level 2 must have achieved Level 1 English and Mathematics and have taken the tests for Level 2. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and Maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualifications are an alternative to English qualifications for apprentices for whom this is their primary language.
• Sufficient evidence in the form of a reflective portfolio to allow the apprentice to consistently demonstrate knowledge, skills and behaviours as described in the standard. Guidance on what should be included in the reflective portfolio can be found within the professional discussion section.

Who decides if the apprentice is ready for EPA?

Once the apprentice has successfully completed appropriate on-programme training and assessment, the judgement on whether the apprentice is deemed occupationally competent and ready for the EPA will be made by their employer, on the basis of the knowledge, skills and behaviours attained by the apprentice and taking into consideration the apprentice’s work experience, the views from the training provider where applicable and the apprentice, to inform this decision.

When satisfied that the apprentice is ready for EPA, the employer will directly (or via their lead provider) inform their selected End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the EPA requirements to be planned and carried out.

End Point Assessment

End Point Assessment must be undertaken by an Independent End Point Assessment Organisation that is on the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s Register of End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs).

In conjunction with the College, you will be asked to formally sign-off that the apprentice has met the minimum requirements for knowledge, skills and behaviours within the apprenticeship standard and confirm they are ready to move on to the End Point Assessment, which will be measured as follows:

• Reflective Portfolio: to showcase the apprentice’s knowledge and skills and which will consist of workplace activity and projects to support the professional discussion.
• Practical Observation: this will assess the apprentice’s application of skills within the job role and their place of work.
• Professional Discussion: to holistically assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours within the apprenticeship standard and which will be informed by reflective portfolio.

Successful achievement of the End Point Assessment will lead to final certification of the apprenticeship and demonstrate that the apprentice is a fully competent Engineering Operative. The practical observation must be completed prior to the professional discussion.

Yes, on day release and attendance for End Point Assessment is also required at the end of the apprenticeship.

Apprentices will be expected to comply with their company’s standard PPE dress code. Any shortfalls in safety equipment will be addressed during the first week of the course.

Completion of this apprenticeship standard will be recognised by the relevant professional institutions as the evidence required for Engineering Technician status.

For those deemed capable and ready, further career development and progression opportunities could be considered, such as the Advanced Apprenticeship as an Engineering Technician (Apprenticeship Standard).

• Engineering Operatives working within a technical support role
• Engineering Operatives working within a maintenance role
• Engineering Operatives working within a manufacturing engineering role

You may already have someone in your organisation or someone who has come to you directly asking for an apprenticeship. But, if you don’t, we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and can undertake external advertising through social media and the National Apprenticeship Service’s website.

If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421