Science Industry Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Level: 3

Duration: Up to 4 years

Role Profile

A science industry maintenance technician contributes to the fault free and safe operation of science industry plant by the installation, maintenance, testing and repair of mechanical, electrical equipment and instrumentation. They will be proactive in finding solutions to problems and identifying areas for improving their work environment. As well as core engineering skills, maintenance technicians need to understand and follow working practices that are specific to the safety critical science industry. They may work in varied conditions including using specialist safety equipment, shift work and on sites running 365-day operations. They will be expected to work both individually and as part of a maintenance team. They will be able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake. They may be part of in-house maintenance teams or engineering maintenance contractor teams who work for different companies across the science industry.

Entry requirements:

A minimum of four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English, Maths, Science and Technology.

Where will I study?

North West Training Council

How will I study?

Year 1 – full time at NWTC

Year 2 – 1 day per week on technical certificate 4 days in your workplace

Year 3 / 4 – assessment in your workplace

SPECIFIC SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

What will I learn?

·         the internal and external regulatory environment pertinent to the sector and the sponsoring company and comply with regulations proficiently whilst keeping up to date with any changes

 ·         the business environment in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice and codes of conduct

  ·         to safely use all necessary equipment, following the appropriate engineering techniques, procedures and methods of relevance to complete the maintenance activity

 ·         to carry out planned routine and non- routine maintenance activities, effectively, efficiently and safely

 ·         techniques to identify faults in plants, systems and components to achieve satisfactory solutions

 ·         manufacture or assemble components within skill set

 ·         how to identify obsolescence and end-of-life issues

 ·         understanding and information extracted from engineering drawings, specification diagrams and maintenance manuals and/or computer database systems including accurate data inputs

 ·         technical knowledge relevant to a single specialist discipline or a number of disciplines (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation) as required by the job role

 ·         theoretical knowledge of engineering and its application to the required sector and job role

SPECIFIC SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

What qualifications will I achieve?

After a period of foundation skills and technical knowledge development all apprentices will be required to achieve the following qualifications

·         Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge) – Awarding organisation EAL; GLH 750, this qualification ensures full knowledge to complete the SIP role.

·         Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) – Awarding organisation Pearsons; GLH 720 – this qualification ensures full knowledge to complete the SIP role.

·         Level 3 Diploma in engineering discipline – Awarding organisation EAL

·         End Point Assessment

ROLES FOR SCIENCE INDUSTRY MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Chemical industry

Petrochemical industry

Pharmaceutical industry

Biotechnology

Nuclear manufacturing