Course Summary

Toolmakers and Tool and Die Maintenance Technicians are predominantly involved in the highly skilled, complex and specialist detailed work of manufacturing and maintaining the engineering tooling used to produce components, products and assemblies. Their work can be used in cars, planes, boats and rail, energy, defence, food, clothing, packaging and health including medical equipment, devices and implants such as joint replacements.

This requires the application of a broad range of activities including the interpretation of engineering drawings and technical instructions and the use of hand, machine and automated computer controlled machine tools and measuring equipment.

You will be expected to test and adjust the systems, ensuring tooling, jigs, fixtures and assemblies meet the required specification.

This requires the application of skills, knowledge and occupational behaviours across a range of engineering disciplines.

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

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

• Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence)

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

• Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Toolmaker, Tool and Die Maintenance
• Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)

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 involve 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 1,400 Vocational Guided Learning Hours, building up from the 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 apprenticeship standard. The employer will sign off that the apprentice is ‘job ready’ as a competent technician.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

Apprentices will be expected to comply with their company's standard Personal Protective Equipment (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 (EngTech) registration through a professional review.

For those deemed capable and ready, there is the chance to progress to higher levels of education and training.