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Apprenticeship training course

Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3)

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Information about Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3)

Install and commission compressed air and/or vacuum equipment and their associated systems; and complete servicing, fault diagnosis, repair and to ensure equipment is operating and controlled at its optimum efficiency.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Principles of design and operation of compressed air and vacuum generation, filtration, drying, condensate treatment equipment; the different industry application specification requirements, approved Codes of Practice (ACOP), guidelines including British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) best practice guides and fact-sheets
  • Maintenance requirements and techniques for compressed air and vacuum equipment, for example preventative and predictive maintenance
  • Fault finding and repair requirements and techniques for compressed air and vacuum equipment, for example diagnostic techniques and testing
  • System installation, commissioning and decommissioning of compressed air and vacuum equipment, including system components, safe working limits, electrical, mechanical and ventilation requirements, site surveys and leak testing
  • Piping specifications; the different materials, joints, fixings and consideration of sizing, pressure, lengths and routing requirements
  • Electrical system principles, for example, AC single/three phase power, DC power, motors, control systems and system connectivity (i4.0). Techniques in the safe use of electrical test equipment and electrical isolation
  • Calculations, conversions, flow rates and equipment sizing used in compressed air and vacuum activities
  • Inventory management, including the identification of equipment and parts, stock value, stock management systems and the correct handling of parts and returns process
  • Safe correct use and storage of equipment and tools for example hand tools, lifting equipment, calibrated tools, power tools, meters, gauges, Carbon monoxide/Carbon dioxide (CO/CO2) monitors and test equipment
  • Health and Safety and how it must be applied, Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), risk assessments, method statements, permits to work, manual handling, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), asbestos awareness, working in confined spaces, working at height, slips trips and falls, electric compliance, safety passports, food hygiene, vehicle safety, noise regulation, lone working. Pressure Systems Safety regulations (PSSR) and the Provision of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations (LOLER)
  • Environmental considerations, including Environmental Protection Act, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), fluorinated greenhouse gas (F Gas), hazardous waste regulations and the waste-water Directive (WWD), recycling and waste disposal, energy monitoring, leak detection and equipment data logging to optimize energy performance
  • Planning techniques, including time management skills, work-flow, job allocation
  • Documentation requirements, for example service reports, checklists, written schemes of examination and vehicle safety checklist
  • Communication techniques - verbal and written
  • Training, mentoring and coaching techniques; how to pass on knowledge, and provide guidance to customer/stakeholder
  • Professional relationships, including; etiquette, expectations, responsibilities. Equality and diversity considerations
  • Information Technology (IT) in the workplace, for example hardware devices, software, connectivity protocols, and work management systems
  • Service Level Agreements, for example employer/employee responsibilities and commercial contracts

Skills

  • Install compressed air or vacuum equipment, piping, electrical connections and control systems.
  • Commission compressed air or vacuum equipment and/or components.
  • Lock off and isolate equipment; electrical and mechanical.
  • Decommission and disconnect specified equipment or components, for long term shut down or disposal for example. Categorise equipment for reuse, disposal or recycling and when necessary, complete storage measures to prevent deterioration.
  • Maintain and service compressed air or vacuum equipment or components.
  • Diagnose; rectify faults and/or repair of compressed air or vacuum equipment, components and systems.
  • Inspect pressure/vacuum vessels, their safety devices and/or other equipment.
  • Select and use hand tools, specialist tools and instruments, including test equipment. Check tools and identify and report tool defects where necessary. Store of tools and equipment.
  • Plan and prepare for work, for example task delegation, work-flow, route planning and time management. Obtain and check parts.
  • Report and record work activity, for example asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Adhere to heath and safety regulations, legislation and safe working practices; identify risks, hazards and control measure.
  • Read and interpret technical and safety documentation, for example risk assessments, method statements, permits to work, operation and maintenance manuals and wiring diagrams.
  • Communicate with stakeholders - internal and/or external, for example customers, colleagues, managers and the general public.
  • House-keeping, including restoring the work area on completion of the activity, returning any resources and consumables, disposal of waste, re-cycling/re-using where appropriate.
  • Use IT, for example document creation, communication and information management.

Behaviours

  • Prioritises Health, safety and environment.
  • Team player, for example; integrates and communicates with the team, supports other people, considers implications of their own actions on other people and the business whilst working effectively to get the task completed, reliable, punctual, meticulous, trustworthy, honest, determined, perseveres, acts with integrity.
  • Adaptable, for example, responds to unforeseen circumstances, improvises in environment or time challenged conditions, resilient under pressure.
  • Takes responsibility for job, for example a desire to see a job through from start to finish and verify that it has been completed to the required standard.
  • Quality focus, for example attention to detail, accuracy, customer orientated, implements quality and lasting repairs.
  • Professional - represents employer/themselves well, for example communicates clearly, presentable, passion for product, ambassadorial nature, instils confidence.
  • Committed to continuous professional development in order to ensure growth in ability and standards of work.
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Engineering and manufacturing
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
36 months
Maximum funding
£14,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Service Technicians
  • Service Engineers
  • Installation Engineers
  • Commissioning Engineers
  • Electrical Technicians
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Mechanical Technicians
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Air Treatment Technicians
  • Air Treatment Engineers
  • Product Support Engineers
  • Pressure Systems Competent Person (Examiner)

View more information about Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.