• What are Apprenticeships?
• Who are Apprenticeships for?
• What will I be doing?
• Do I get paid and what are the benefits?
• How do I get started?
• What support do I receive from my employer?
• What type of career could I have when I’ve finished my Apprenticeship?

Apprentices learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. You work towards a work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualifications. Employers all over the country recognise and value Apprenticeships as they show that you’ve been trained in the skills they need.

Engineering Apprenticeships typically take between two and four years to complete, depending on the type of Apprenticeship and the level. There is no set time to complete an Apprenticeship, as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on the ability of the individual apprentice and the employer's requirements.

An Apprenticeship is essentially a set of qualifications called a ‘framework’, developed by what are known as Sector Skills Councils. The relevant council for engineering is Semta (the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies). The three routes to an engineering apprentice are:

• Intermediate Level Apprenticeships

  Apprentices progress towards work-based learning qualifications, such as an NVQ Level 2 (eg, Performing Engineering Operations), Key Skills (Essential Skills in Wales) at Level 1 and a relevant knowledge based qualification (known as the Technical Certificate, usually studied off-the-job at a college), as well as Employment Rights and Responsibilities.

  In England, they also need to achieve and evidence the areas of Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills, although in Wales the 3 Wider Key Skills are embedded in the NVQ qualification.

  These provide the skills needed for a chosen career and/or allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

• Advanced Level Apprenticeships

  Advanced apprentices progress towards work-based learning qualifications, such as an NVQ Level 3, Key Skills (Essential Skills in Wales) at Level 2 and a relevant knowledge-based certificate (known as the Technical Certificate). They also study Employment Rights and Responsibilities, and need to achieve and evidence the skill areas of Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (England) or 3 Wider Key Skills in Wales.

  To start this programme, the applicant should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or Diploma, or have completed an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship.

  Advanced Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for progression to higher education, including a Higher Apprenticeship.

• Higher Apprenticeships

  Higher Apprentices progress towards work-based learning qualifications at NVQ Level 4, Key Skills (Essential Skills in Wales) at Level 2 and a knowledge-based qualification, such as an HNC or HND or Foundation Degree. They, too, study Employment Rights and Responsibilities, and need to achieve and evidence the skill areas of Personal and Thinking Skills (England) or 3 Wider Key Skills in Wales.

  Apprentices gain the skills required to carry out a wide variety of technician roles. This apprenticeship is recognised as meeting the requirements of Eng Tech registration and some of the professional requirements of Incorporated Engineer, and may also, where appropriate, provide positive progression to a higher degree, NVQ Level 5 and possibly Chartered Engineer registration.

  Higher Apprenticeships were introduced in 2009 in the Engineering and IT sectors. Like Intermediate and Advanced Level Apprenticeships, they combine a range of on and off the job training, and can vary in the length of time they take to complete, depending on your business needs.

  Recent research into stimulating the supply and support of Higher Apprenticeships through the engagement with professional bodies identified that 70% of to the professional bodies interviewed believed Higher Apprenticeships were a great way for professionals in their sector to become fully qualified.

  In 2010, the government announced its commitment to grow Higher Apprenticeships, creating career pathways right through to higher level roles and on-going opportunities to maximise the benefits of a highly skilled workforce.

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Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16 years-old, whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. You just need not to be taking part in full-time education when you begin.

There may be different entry requirements, depending on the Apprenticeship and the industry sector. However, competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you. You also need to be happy to work as both part of a team and individually, and be able to use your own initiative.

What qualifications will I need?

Different Apprenticeships have different entry requirements. However, the most important requirements are that:

• You are not taking part in full-time education
• You must be aged 16 or over
• If you took your GCSEs more than five years ago and didn’t gain a top grade (A or A*), or you don’t have good GCSE grades in Maths and English, you will need to take a literacy and numeracy test.

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On an Engineering Apprenticeship, the sort of work you’ll be doing will depend on your employer. Generally, engineering apprentices will learn to take on an operator role in a certain area of engineering. This could involve anything from assembling car engines to installing telecommunications systems. Most duties will involve the maintenance of equipment and machinery.

Through the Advanced Apprenticeship, you can become either a skilled craftsperson (skilled in practical trades, like fitting or machining) or a technician (involved in technical matters and problem-solving).

Both Apprenticeships begin by learning about work safety, how to communicate technical information and identifying engineering equipment.

Working in this field requires a good head for figures and IT literacy. You’ll need good written and verbal communication skills; and you’ll have to be a team player.

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There are lots of benefits to doing an Engineering Apprenticeship. Most importantly, you can earn while you learn, and learn in a way that is best suited to you – through hands-on experience on the job. Key benefits of being an apprentice include:

• Earning a salary
• Getting paid holidays
• Receiving training
• Gaining qualifications
• Learning job-specific skills
• Working better and more effectively
• It can set you up to move into new and better jobs
• You get to experience new and different challenges
• Your existing skills and knowledge are recognised and can help you gain a qualification faster
• You learn at your own pace and get support when you need it
• Better job security
• You gain skills and knowledge which can be used across a range of jobs and industries.

Earn while you learn

Apprentices do real jobs, for real employers. So you’re paid while you learn. If you are entering work for the first time, you will start earning from day one of your Apprenticeship.

There is no set rate of pay for apprentices. However, all employed apprentices must receive a wage of no less than £2.60 per hour. In practice, the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around £170 and in some job roles around £210 per week.

As your skills develop, your pay will increase accordingly. You may also get additional money for essential books, clothing or equipment or to help you with a disability. As an apprentice, you will also receive the same benefits as other employees, such as pension contributions, subsidised canteen and leisure facilities.

Finally, research shows that apprentices earn, on average, over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees.

Do I have to pay anything?

No. While you are on an Apprenticeship, your employer pays you a salary and supports you while you undertake your training. Most of the training is ‘on the job’, within the workplace. The rest can be provided by a local college, a specialist learning provider or, in some cases, it could all be undertaken by your employer. The National Apprenticeship Service (www.apprenticeships.org.uk) will pay the costs of your training, depending on your age.

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Think about where a qualification could take you in your career – decide on the kind of skills and knowledge that you will need to get ahead. If you are already employed, you may want to talk to your employer or a colleague to help you with this.

Key to engineering apprenticeships is Semta – the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies (www.semta.org.uk). Semta has launched an Apprenticeship Ambition to take the number of advanced and higher level apprenticeship registrations from 8,000 to 16,000 by 2016.

Semta provides manufacturing and engineering employers with a fully managed apprenticeship service, with advice on the best apprenticeship route to meet business needs and a one-stop shop for information and guidance on apprenticeships. It also seeks to ensure that training delivered by the best local provision, with regular progress updates on all apprentices and the promotion of vacancies direct to schools.

The National Apprenticeship Service also runs Apprenticeships vacancies. This is an online system where employers and learning providers can advertise and manage vacancies, and anyone looking to start an apprentice can search, apply and then manage their applications for Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships opportunities anywhere in England. The system is free and available at: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/sitecore/content/avtm/Candidate.aspx

Alternatively, if you would talk to someone who has ‘been there and done that’, then why not use the online mentoring and coaching facility the National Apprenticeship Service have set up with Horses mouth. It is free to use, open to anyone over 16 years old and users of the site are anonymous. Find out more about apprentice mentoring at: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/Be-An-Apprentice/Support-and-Advice/Mentoring.aspx.

Or, if you would like to speak about Apprenticeships with a career adviser face to face or on the phone, you can contact Next Step by visiting www.nextstep.direct.gov.uk or calling 0800 100 900.

It includes a quiz, links to complimentary resources, as well as a wide range of video clips from current apprentices working for BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. These videos have been designed to answer commonly-asked questions and to give you a real idea of what life as an apprentice is really like. You will also receive your own personalised feedback and guidance report.

There are also useful links to other sites where you can find out more information on a range of things: from careers advice through to information on your rights as an apprentice.

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Your employer or training provider will make sure you have support. Their job is to ensure that your training fits your personal requirements, offers the skills needed for the job and satisfies national standards. They will also be there to help you through any difficult times.

Prospects

Apprenticeships can be demanding but they are very rewarding. Because Apprenticeships train you in the skills employers want, they give you choices in your career.

Your career doesn’t have to stop at the Intermediate, Advanced or Higher Level Apprenticeship, if you want to go on to university you will find that many institutes of higher education value your skills and knowledge, and will happily offer you a place on a Foundation Degree or other higher level qualifications.

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Engineering Apprenticeships have been developed across a wide range of industry sectors and are available with different types of employers from large national companies, such as British Gas, BMW, Rolls-Royce and Orange, to smaller local companies. The right one for you will depend on your interests, your experience and the opportunities in your area.

Engineering Job Roles

Level 2 (Apprenticeship)

• Electrical/Electronic (semi skilled)
• Aero engine component assembly
• Aero engine fitter (semi skilled)
• Aero engine fitter/tester’s mate
• Aero engine strip and wash fitter
• Airframe riveter
• Automotive instrument repairer
• Avionics fitter (semi skilled)
• Avionics instrument calibration technician
• CAD operator
• CNC cutter
• CNC Fabrication operator
• CNC operator
• Cycle Maintenance mechanic
• Cycle maintenance technician
• Electrical fitter’s mate
• Electronics service rep
• Engineering fitter Semi- skilled
• Fitters mate air-con manufacture
• Instrument fabricator (semi skilled)
• Instrument repair fitter
• Jig welder
• Line Maintenance fitter
• Maintenance welder (semi skilled)
• Manufacturing calibration control technician
• Manufacturing expeditor
• Manufacturing operator
• Metrology operator
• Military vehicle repair fitter/welder (semi- skilled)
• Motorsport technician
• Planned maintenance controller
• Plant maintenance fitter’s mate
• Production CAD programmer
• Production control operator
• Production fabricator (semi-skilled)
• Production operator
• Production planner
• Production process control operator
• Quality Control Operator
• Repair of instruments and control systems – military vehicles
• Repair technician
• Vehicle body repair technician
• Vehicle body welder (semi skilled)
• Watch service technician
• Welder /Fabricator (semi skilled)
• Welder/fabricator aero engine pipework
• Welder/Fabricator’s mate
• Welding equipment maintenance fitter (semi skilled)
• Welding inspector
• Workflow control operator
• Commissioning fitter (semi skilled)
• Lift control systems maintenance engineer
• Military vehicle fitter (semi skilled)
• Plant fitter heating & ventilation (semi skilled)
• Plant maintenance planner

Level 3 (Advanced Apprenticeship)

• Manufacturing maintenance engineer
• Maintenance controller
• Watchmaker/ Clockmaker
• Maintenance welder (Skilled)
• Aircraft service engineer (un-licenced)
• Plant maintenance engineer H&V
• Specialist vehicle maintenance engineer
• Facilities manager
• Telecommunications maintenance / service engineer
• Micro electronics maintenance engineer
• Electronics Systems maintenance engineer
• Facilities maintenance engineer
• Systems maintenance engineer (hydraulics, pneumatics)
• Repair and overhaul engineer (aircraft engines)

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