Engineering
What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to develop your prospects and career in the industry. By starting an Engineering Apprenticeship you begin the first step to a challenging and rewarding career. With a mature, responsible attitude, you will need to be keen and willing to learn, have good communication skills and be able to work with others. You should be reasonably good at basic arithmetic, and have an interest in how things work and how to solve practical problems.
The Advanced Apprenticeship is available to you once you have completed your Apprenticeship. These are identical in structure to the Apprenticeship; however learning is at Level 3 which is equivalent to ‘A’ Level standard.
How do I find an Apprenticeship?
The first thing that you need to do is find a job. Engineering Apprenticeships are work-based, which means you need to be employed in an Engineering job role before you can start your training.
There are many places you can go to find a job; Connexions, the Apprenticeship Vacancies Website, local papers, Internet job sites and Job Centre Plus. You can also try friends and family to see if they know anyone who may have a vacancy.
Once you have gained employment contact Total People!
What happens then?
Total People will send one of their Training Advisers out to you. They will sit down with both you and your
employer to arrange your learning plan.
Your training will require you to attend college for one day a week. Your employer will give you time off to attend your classes and meet with your Training Adviser.
How long will it take?
The time taken to complete your NVQ depends upon you; how quickly you want to do it. However it normally takes up to 3 years to complete depending on the type of Apprenticeship you have undertaken.
The Technical Certificate is delivered at a college, therefore you will tend to start in September and finish around May / June time.
The other element of your Apprenticeship, Key Skills, takes around 12 months to complete, but again is
dependent upon you!
Completing your Apprenticeship
Your Engineering Apprenticeship is made up from 3 core elements;
- NVQ
- Technical Certificate
- Key Skills
Your NVQ portfolio is like a work diary, it records your activities and experiences. Your portfolio is assessed to make sure you are competent. Your work will be assessed at your place of work.
The Technical Certificate gives you the underpinning knowledge needed to carry out the tasks of your NVQ.
Key Skills are similar to Maths and English GCSEs, however learning is focussed around Engineering.
For example, you will evaluate the cost of downtime and then make recommendations based on these findings.
Further Progression
You will gain work-based practical experience and knowledge of Engineering, all leading to nationally
recognised qualifications. You will then be in a position to progress up the career ladder to more senior jobs such as a supervisor, manager or develop your technical skills to become a specialist in Non Destructive Testing, Quality Management, Engineering Design or Structural Engineering. The Apprenticeship route can provide a pathway into further study at degree level.
