Course Summary

This apprenticeship for mechatronics maintenance technicians is designed as a three-year programme. It equips you with a complex blend of skills, knowledge and occupational behaviours across the electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems disciplines.

Typically, the duration of this apprenticeship is 36 – 48 months. This may be reduced for a candidate with previous relevant experience or who is already part-qualified.

Entry requirements

Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their apprenticeships. In order to optimise success, candidates will typically have four GCSEs at grade C or equivalent, including Mathematics, English (grade 4 or above) and a Science. Employers who recruit candidates without English or Maths at grade C or above must ensure that the candidate achieves this standard prior to the completion of the apprenticeship.

Course Content

You will study:

• Foundation Competence (12 to 18-month duration)
• Level 3 academic subjects (18 to 48-month duration)
• Level 3 competence qualification (workplace-based)

Academic and practical learning will include:

• Analytical and Scientific Methods for Engineers
• Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation
• Instrumentation and Control Principles and Applications
• Mathematics for Technicians
• Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Digital Principles and Applications
• Quality Assurance Principles within Mechatronic Systems
• Applications of Pneumatics and Hydraulics
• Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering
• Plant and Process Principles and Applications
• Condition Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis
• Business Improvement Techniques

You will cover the following units:

• Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements 
• Working Efficiently and Effectively in an Engineering Environment 
• Using and Communicating Technical Information
• Conducting Business Improvement Activities 
• Producing Components using Hand Fitting Techniques 
• Maintaining Mechanical Devices and Equipment 
• Maintaining Electrical Equipment/Systems 
• Wiring and Testing Electrical Equipment and Circuits 
• General Turning, Milling and Welding Applications 
• Producing Engineering Project Plans

How will I be assessed?

There will be two phases of training to ensure that apprentices meet this apprenticeship standard, in line with specified employer requirements.

The foundation phase will be intensive off-the-job training focused on developing the apprentice's core skills, knowledge and behaviour, allowing them to work effectively with supervision in a largely simulated working environment. This stage will typically require 1400 Vocational Guided Learning Hours, building up from basics to more complex engineering operations and practices. The tasks will be aligned to the job role to develop a range of tailored core engineering techniques.  By the end of this phase, the apprentice will therefore be able to demonstrate, under independent test conditions, that they can deploy the relevant skills and occupational behaviours.

There will be an employer endorsement as part of the final assessment of this phase to ensure that the apprentice has demonstrated full competence against the knowledge, skills and behaviours in this standard. The employer will sign off that the apprentice is ‘job ready’ as a competent mechatronics technician.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

Apprentices will be expected to comply with their company's standard PPE dress code. Any shortfalls in safety equipment will be addressed during the first week of the course.

What can I do after this course?

Completion of this apprenticeship standard will be recognised by the relevant professional institutions as the evidence required for Engineering Technician
registration (EngTech) through a professional review.

For those deemed capable and ready, further career development  and progression opportunities could be considered, such as Mechatronic Maintenance Engineering or higher levels of education and training.