Course Overview

You need to be employed to start an Apprenticeship. Please visit our vacancy page or if you have an employer, please ensure you add full contact details of your employer within your application. If you are unable to secure employment, you could enrol on a full-time study programme and transfer to an Apprenticeship at a later date. Please apply for a full-time course as your second option.

If you are interested in engineering and the challenge of work, but want to keep learning in a practical way, then this course is for you. You need to be able to follow instructions and pay close attention to detail, as well as able to use Maths.

In the first year, you attend College for two days a week to do a basic engineering course which includes using a range of precision engineering machinery, welding equipment and computer aided design systems. There will be a further half day a week required if Functional Skills need to be taken.

You attend College one day a week in the second year to obtain a Level 2 Technical Certificate, and work with your employer for the other four days a week.

You will then specialise in one of the following, according to your job requirements:

• Welding and fabrication
• Maintenance (mechanical or electrical)
• Manufacturing
• Technical support

Learners will be expected to wear the following mandatory PPE/RPE in the BTC workshops when carrying out welding activities:

• TIG/MMA welding gloves
• Leather apron
• Head mounted welding screens
• Air fed welding screens (Loaned and available on a first come first served basis)
• Safety glasses
• Ear plugs
• Safety boots
• Proban overalls
• A P3 Respiratory protection which protects against welding fumes.

PPE/RPE which is brought in by learners for use in our workshops will be checked to ensure it is suitable for welding related activities.

Assessment Methods

There are no exams. Your knowledge and skills are assessed on an on-going basis and you will have to demonstrate that you can meet the required standards throughout your training. There will however, be examinations for the additional qualifications, such as City & Guilds or BTEC Technical Certificates and Functional Skills (if required).

Progression Options

The Apprenticeship is widely recognised in the employment market and fully qualified Engineers are always in demand, both home and abroad. On successful completion you could continue your studies and progress to the Level 3 Apprenticeship.