Level 3 Advanced Machinist Apprenticeships

What does a Level 3 Machining Technician Apprentice do?

Machinists in the Machining Technician Engineering sector are predominantly involved in highly skilled, complex and precision work, machining components from specialist materials using conventional and/or CNC machine tools such as centre lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines, horizontal and cylindrical grinding machines, electro discharge machines, single and multi-axis CNC machine tools centres. They will be expected to be able set up, operate and adjust/edit equipment settings as applicable to the machine tool being used. When using CNC equipment, they will be expected to be able to produce, prove and/or edit programmes. During and on completion of the machining operations they will be expected to measure and check the components being produced and make adjustments to the equipment/programme to ensure components meet the required specification.

What are the entry requirements?

Candidates must be aged 16 or over and should have:
- Practical abilities and the desire to work with your hands
- High motivation and are keen to work in the engineering/manufacturing environment
- The ability to follow instructions and diagrams
- The ability to work accurately and a good eye for detail
- Good communication and problem solving abilities
- Good numeracy and literacy abilities to work with data
- The ability to work on your own initiative, but also be a good team worker

What is the duration of the course?

The Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship takes approximately 48 months to complete. For the first 12 months of this Apprenticeship, the apprentice will be required to attend Alliance Learning on block release.

How can I progress in Machinist Engineering?

After completing the Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, you could progress onto Higher Apprenticeship at Level 4 in Engineering Leadership, HNC or HND.

What Qualifications will I gain?

This qualification provides a foundation in engineering machining operations and techniques, as well as extensive theoretical and practical experience in this occupational area. On completion, you will be of fully-skilled status. You can choose from a variety of pathways such as Conventional Machining and CNC Machining.

1. Foundation Competence - Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering:
This is the initial foundations training that you will commence on a 12 month “off the job” training programme. This will be delivered within our training centre and provide you with a robust training package covering hand fitting skills, conventional milling & turning, programming and operating CNC machines and Computer Aided Design. Along with the practical training you will also develop skills in team working, lean manufacturing and working efficiently and effectively whilst ensuring you maintain safe working practices and adhering the health & safety at all times. At the end of the 12 months block you will have to demonstrate that you have taken on all the skills, knowledge and behaviours to progress to the next stage by completing a gateway assessment.

2. Foundation Technical Knowledge - Level 2 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering:
This is more of a classroom-based deliver to ensure you have the technical knowledge behind advanced manufacture and ensure that you not only know how something is done in a certain way, you will know why. You will learn about health and safety, engineering principles and techniques, advanced machining and computer aided design and be involved in practical activities relevant to the modules you study.

3. Development Technical Knowledge - Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering:
This is the higher level technical knowledge that you will be required to study towards and achieve and is a lead on from the level 2. Again, delivered in a classroom to ensure a high level of technical ability and understanding and will be assessed through a mixture of practical assessments or exams.

4. Development Competence:
This is the portfolio of evidence that you will be required to produce to demonstrate competence in the workplace. This is taking on all the learning that has been listed in the previous steps and demonstrating this in the workplace through the safe and proper use of equipment and machines to produce high level components. You will create a portfolio of evidence with the support of your workplace mentor and tutor to showcase your abilities as an engineer and this evidence will lead you though to Gateway and onto the “End Point Assessment”.

5. End Point Assessment:
An external assessor will be arranged by your employer to review portfolio of evidence, conduct a full observation and hold an interview with you to determine your ability in the role and ensure that the 4 years training has developed you into a competent and skillful engineer. The final grading based on all assessments and evidence provided including a report which supoorts your portfolio will be scored on a Fail, Pass anf Distinction.

6. Functional Skills in English and Maths Level 2:
Functional Skills are qualifications in Maths and English that equip learners with the practical skills needed to learn, live and work successfully. This will only be required if you haven’t already attained this level through GCSE.

How do I apply?