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Apprenticeship training course

Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

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Information about Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)

Engineering and manufacturing support technicians support the work of engineers by the provision of technical support and expertise for areas of the engineering and manufacturing function. This typically could include, engineering drawing, computer aided design (CAD), quality control, computerized numerical control programming (CNC), robotics, additive manufacturing, engineering or manufacturing software development and process engineering.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • The engineering or manufacturing function and role. Limits of autonomy and reporting channels. Different teams and functions involved within the operation and interdependencies.
  • Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance and impact on role. Awareness of working in confined spaces. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Display Screen Equipment (DSE). Electrical safety and compliance. Fire safety. Health and Safety at Work Act. Lone working. Manual handling. Noise regulation. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Reporting of Injuries, Disease, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Risk assessments. Slips, trips, and falls. Working at height.
  • Environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance. Environmental hazards that can arise from engineering or manufacturing operations. Environmental Protection Act. Environmental signage and notices. Types of pollution and control measures: noise, smells, spills, and waste. Environmental permits. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). Energy consumption. The Climate Change Agreements. Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).
  • British standards for engineering representations, drawings, and graphical information.
  • Engineering standards and regulations, relevant to the occupation and technician's responsibilities. British Standards (BS). International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Engineering mathematical techniques and scientific principles: calculations, conversions, graphical representation, rate of change, calculus, trigonometry, areas and volumes, mechanical and electrical principles, properties of materials.
  • Digitisation and emerging technologies within the engineering and manufacturing sector: connectivity, advanced analytics, automation, advanced manufacturing technology, additive manufacturing, improvements in robotics and human-machine interaction and Industry 4.0.
  • Problem solving techniques: diagnostics, root cause analysis.
  • Resource management requirements including equipment availability, costs, security and safety.
  • Planning, prioritising, work scheduling, workflow and time management techniques. Work management systems. Work categorisation systems.
  • Engineering and manufacturing technical outputs: methods of representing technical information supporting organisational requirements - electronic and paper.
  • Requirements of supporting stakeholders for progress and handover of products or processes including status reports.
  • Documentation and recording information requirements.
  • Standard operating procedures (SOP). What they are and why they are important. What they need to cover and why. Visuals and symbols used in SOP.
  • Manufacturers’ instructions: what they are, why use them and how to use them. Warranties: what they are and impact on engineering or manufacturing work.
  • Quality management standards. Quality assurance, quality control principles and practices. Record keeping.
  • Continuous improvement techniques: lean, 6-sigma, KAIZEN, 5S plus safety (Sort, set, shine, standardise and sustain).
  • Principles of team working.
  • Written communication techniques. Engineering terminology. Report writing.
  • Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience.
  • Information technology and digital: digital interfaces, email, Management Information Systems (MIS), spreadsheets, presentation, word processing, virtual communication, learning platforms, work collaboration platforms. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), cyber security.
  • The Equality Act: requirements and impact on organisation. Principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and their impact on organisations and customers.
  • Workplace training and development activities: continual professional development (CPD).

Skills

  • Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
  • Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
  • Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
  • Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
  • Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
  • Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
  • Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
  • Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
  • Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
  • Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
  • Follow standard operating procedures.
  • Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
  • Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Carry out and record learning and development activities.
  • Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.

Behaviours

  • Take personal responsibility for and promote health and safety.
  • Considers the environment and sustainability.
  • Support diversity and social inclusion in the workplace.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
  • Collaborate within teams, across disciplines and stakeholders.
  • Seek learning and development opportunities, continual professional development (CPD).
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Engineering and manufacturing
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
42 months
Maximum funding
£27,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Aerospace inspection technician
  • Nuclear inspection technician
  • Quality compliance officer
  • Quality control technician
  • Technical support technician

View more information about Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.