Description & Requirements

What is an Apprenticeship?

When training for an Apprenticeship in engineering you will spend 4 days a week 'on the job' training with an engineering company as an employee of that company. The fifth day will be spent studying at a local College to gain knowledge relevant to your job. The company will give you a 'mentor' ,an experienced Technician or Craftsperson who will help you settle in, show you the ropes, train you and deal with any problems you might have. Time spent with the company will provide vital work experience which otherwise could not be gained by continuing in full time education.

At the start of the programme there is a foundation period were you will be enrolled on a BTEC or City & Guilds course at a local College, which you will attend once a week. The subjects you study will depend on what the college offers and the needs of your employer, as well as what you want to do. We will help you do your job better and enhance your employability.

When you start an engineering  apprenticeship you get a firm commitment from your employer to give you high quality training and development.

Type of Apprenticeship

Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship

Mechanical engineers design, develop, install, operate and maintain just about anything that has moveable parts, ranging from heart valves and artificial limbs to clockwork radios, television cameras, dentist drills, racing cars or jet engines. Most industry relies on Mechanical systems and Mechanical engineering is the most diverse of all different engineering disciplines. There are career opportunities in every sector from space travel to medical science and Grand Prix racing to TV broadcasting.

As a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice, your daily work activities would include reading engineering drawings, using machine and hand tools to produce component parts, installing or maintaining mechanical equipment or machinery, fault finding and carrying out repairs on mechanical machinery, equipment and inspecting finished work for accuracy.

Prospects You have the opportunity to become a Mechanical Craftsperson, Technician, Team Leader or work with computers in design and manufacturing.

You may also work in the Maintenance department of a Manufacturing company or travel to different factories as a Service Engineer. Engineers can apply their knowledge in design, research, development and management.

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Apprenticeships

Electrical/Electronic engineers read electrical and electronic wiring diagrams, are involved in the manufacture and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment, install electrical and electronic machinery or equipment and diagnose faults and carry out repairs on electrical/electronic machinery, equipment or systems.

Prospects You will have the opportunity to become an electrical/electronic Craftsperson, Technician, Team Leader or work with computers in design and manufacturing. It is a very wide branch of engineering, offering employment at all levels with a wide range of companies. Engineers can apply their knowledge in design, research, development and management.

Fabrication/Welding Engineering Apprenticeships

Opportunities may be found in a factory workshop, on construction sites or in a company Maintenance department. You will have the opportunity to become a Fabrication/Welding craftsperson, Team Leader or Draughtsperson producing designs.

Wage Expectations

You get a wage from day one of the apprenticeship. Rates of pay very much depend on the company you will be working for. However companies currently on the programme have a starting wage of anything between £85 and £220 per week. This increases substantially each year of the apprenticeship.

Qualifications Achieved

You will be required to attend College one day a week and achieve a range of nationally recognised qualifications:

•  NVQ Level 3 and possibly Level 4 awards
•  Keyskills and/or Essential Skills Level 2 or 3
•  Appropriate BTEC/City & Guilds Certificate
•   ApprenticeshipNI Certificate