As a technician you will have the responsibility of maintaining the safety, integrity and effective operations of plants and equipment in one or more of the following industries that are part of or have activities part of a broader national infrastructure engineering sector.

These include-

• The electricity generating environment- which may use different fuels including coal, gas, nuclear, wind and other renewable sources.

• Telecommunication power plants

• Oil and gas refining

• Nuclear waste reprocessing

• Processing and the production of chemicals

• Human and animal food

• Cosmetics

• Petrochemicals

• Sewerage

• Exploration and exploitation of oil and gas

If you pursue a career as an Mechanical Technician you will work on various types of plant and equipment commonly found throughout the Engineering Industry sectors and the Technicians can be expected to migrate through these sectors during the course of their careers. Dependent upon the sector that you are employed in there may be subtle differences in terms of the composition and application of the plant and equipment. However, the fundamental principles of operation will be the same regardless of the engineering sector.

As a mechanical technician you will be learning to-

• Position, assemble, install and dismantle mechanical plant and equipment which may include pumps, valves, gearboxes, pipework, to agreed specifications

• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on mechanical plant and equipment

• Replace, repair or remove components in mechanical plant and equipment and ensure that it returns to operational condition.

• Diagnose and determine causes of faults in mechanical plant and equipment

As an apprentice you need to be employed for at least 30 hours a week and you will attend college one day a week.

During your qualification you will be building up a portfolio of evidence including evidence of practical observations, progress reviews and work activities- this will go onto support you when you then reach the End Point Assessment period at the end of the programme.

The End Point Assessment (EPA) is made up of three elements which include;

• A Knowledge Assessment- weighting 20% of your overall grade. This involves an exam lasting 45 minutes consisting of 30 multiple choice some scenario-based questions. This will allow you to demonstrate the core technical knowledge in the standard.

• A Practical Observation- weighting 40% of your overall grade. This involves an independent assessor coming to observe you in practice. The content of the observation will relate to the specific role you are working towards. During this observation you will be asked questions to show the assessor your reasoning behind the different actions and choices you have taken completing a task.

• A Technical Interview- weighting 40% of your overall grade. This involves coming together with two independent technical experts for an interview to discuss the contents of your evidence portfolio which you will have complied over the course of your apprenticeship and finalised over the End Point Assessment period. The interview will allow you to be tested on the validity and coverage of the evidence you have covered in line with the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard. It will involve three scenario based question areas.

For more detail on the Apprenticeship standard for this qualification visit the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

This Apprenticeship has been developed by Rolls Royce, UTAS, AMTC, Silicoms, MoveTech UK, Paradigm Precision, MGTS, Heller Machine Tools, Selex, and Zeiss.

Upon completion of this apprenticeship you may wish to progress onto full time work specialising in one of the industries mentioned above. This may be as an Electrical Technician or as a Plant Operations Technician for example.

You will meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for registration as Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) by an appropriate Professional Engineering Institution.

You can discover all the opportunities available to you by exploring the full list of careers in the industry.

Students must consider the following:

• Awareness and regard for good health and safety practices

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Work well individually and as part of a team

• Attention to detail

• Commitment to study (attendance, punctuality & behaviour)

• Enthusiasm for the subject/area

5 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above including English, Maths and Science or Functional Skills Level 2

Or the ability to demonstrate ability to this level through initial assessments.

If you would like to apply for this course, please click 'Apply' in the top right, follow the steps, and our Admissions Team will be in touch with you.

For more information, advice and guidance please phone Student & Learning Services on 01524 521385 or 0800 306306 or email advice@lmc.ac.uk

Course code: A36182-A1A