Engineering manufacturing technician
Level 4 · HigherEngineering and manufacturing 3.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Engineering manufacturing technicians work at a higher technical level within manufacturing environments, providing specialist expertise in areas such as process improvement, quality assurance, production engineering, or tooling and fixture design. You will bridge the gap between the shop floor and engineering, using technical knowledge to solve manufacturing problems and drive continuous improvement. It is a stepping-stone to roles such as manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, or production manager.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced manufacturing processes and process capability analysis
Lean and Six Sigma tools: value stream mapping, DMAIC, and SPC
Tooling, jigs, and fixture design for manufacturing processes
Advanced quality systems: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and control plans
CAD and CAM software for manufacturing and tooling applications
Project management methods for engineering change and improvement projects
Engineering standards, drawing interpretation, and GD&T at an advanced level
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Analyse manufacturing processes and identify root causes of defects or inefficiencies
Lead or contribute to lean improvement projects on the production line
Design or modify tooling, jigs, and fixtures to improve quality or productivity
Produce and review FMEA and control plans for manufacturing processes
Support new product introduction by developing manufacturing processes and documentation
Collect and interpret SPC data to monitor process stability and capability
Present improvement proposals and technical findings to engineering and management teams
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 4 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 5/6 apprenticeship or a more senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.