Course overview

Engineering Operatives are predominantly involved in engineering operations which are key to the success of the Manufacturing and Engineering sector allowing employers to grow their business while developing a work force with the relevant skills and knowledge to enhance the sustain the sector.

The role covers a wide range of common and job speciflc skills sets that can be transferred across the manufacturing engineering industry sectors during their careers.

An Engineering Operative must have the core requirements below and demonstrate the specialist requirements in ONE job specific role.

Core Knowledge:
• How to obtain the necessary job instructions, engineering drawings and specifications and how to interpret them
• Relevant statutory, quality, environmental compliance procedures/systems, organisational and health and safety regulations relating to engineering operations
• Their individual roles and responsibilities within the organisation and the flexibility required to support the achievement of company targets
• Engineering operational practices, processes and procedures
• Potential problems that can occur within the engineering operations and how they can be avoided


Core Skills:
• Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
• Identify and deal appropriately with any risks, hazards, hazardous situations and problems that may occur within the engineering environment within the limits of their responsibility
• Demonstrate effective communication skills which include oral, written, electronic
• Complete appropriate documentation accurately, efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology where required
• Obtain and follow the correct documentation, specifications and work instructions in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the engineering activities, extracting the necessary data/information from specification and related documentation
• Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the engineering operation
• Deal appropriately with any problems that may occur within the manufacturing environment within the limits of their responsibility
• Work efficiently and effectively at all times maintaining workplace organisation and minimising waste

Specialist job roles
In addition to the core knowledge and skills, all Engineering Operatives must complete ONE of the following job role pathways:
Option 1 - Maintenance Operative: Engineering Operatives working within a maintenance role (this role can cover either mechanical, electrical, electronic or fluid power work or a combination of them)

Option 2 - Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Operative: Engineering Operatives working within a mechanical manufacturing engineering role.

Option 3 – Electrical and Electronic Engineering Operative - Engineering Operatives working within an electrical or electronic engineering role.

Option 4 – Fabricator Engineering Operative - Engineering Operatives working within a fabricator engineering role.

Option 5 – Material, Processing, Finishing Engineering Operative - Engineering Operatives working within a material, processing or finishing engineering role

Option 3 – Technical Support Engineering Operative - Engineering Operatives working within a technical support engineering role.

Entry requirements

Maths & English GCSE Grade 3 or above are required for this apprenticeship.

How will I be assessed?

The End Point Assessment (EPA) can only be triggered after 12 months of starting the apprenticeship and is dependent on when the employer and training provider decide the apprentice is ready. EPA is typically expected to conclude within 3 months. The employer has the final decision to progress the apprentice to EPA. The apprentice and training provider should feel confident the learning outcomes have been achieved.

The EPA consists of three elements, all of which may be completed online. All assessment methods need to be passed. Each assessment method should directly assess the knowledge, skills and behaviors of the Standard. The assessor has the final decision.