Level 3
Engineering Operative, Apprenticeship
Level 3
Engineering Operative, Apprenticeship
Launch your engineering career with an apprenticeship that combines paid employment with practical training. You'll develop the technical knowledge, hands-on skills, and workplace experience needed to become a valued member of an engineering team while building the foundations for future progression.
Course Overview
The Engineering Operative Apprenticeship is an excellent introduction to the engineering industry, providing the skills and experience needed to begin a successful technical career. Over approximately 18 months, you will combine paid employment with specialist college training, developing practical engineering skills while working alongside experienced professionals in a real engineering environment.
Based at Weston College's South West Skills Campus, you will learn in industry-standard engineering workshops equipped with modern machinery, specialist equipment, and professional tools that reflect current industry practice. You'll be taught by experienced engineering tutors who will help you develop both your technical knowledge and the employability skills required by today's engineering employers.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will gain valuable workplace experience while learning how engineering organisations operate safely and efficiently. As a member of Weston College's Engineering Career Excellence Hub, you'll benefit from employer networking opportunities, guest lectures, industry visits, recruitment events, and technical masterclasses, helping you build professional connections and prepare for your future career.
This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for progressing into more specialist engineering roles or higher-level apprenticeships.
What will I study?
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will develop the practical skills and technical knowledge required to work confidently within an engineering environment.
Topics include:
• Health and safety in engineering • Engineering operations and manufacturing techniques • Equipment maintenance • Operating engineering machinery safely • Assembly of engineering components • Quality assurance and quality control • Fault finding and basic troubleshooting • Engineering communication • Teamworking and professional behaviours • Engineering materials and processes
Working alongside your employer, you will apply these skills every day while gaining valuable experience solving real engineering challenges in the workplace.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment takes place throughout the apprenticeship and concludes with an End-Point Assessment.
Assessment includes:
• Practical workplace observation • Professional discussion • Reflective portfolio of evidence • Regular progress reviews with your assessor
The End-Point Assessment allows you to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours you have developed throughout the apprenticeship.
Additional Information
Throughout your course, you will benefit from:
• Paid employment while completing your qualification • Membership of Weston College's Engineering Career Excellence Hub • Access to industry-standard engineering workshops and equipment • Training from experienced engineering professionals • Employer networking opportunities • Guest lectures from engineering specialists • Industry visits and technical masterclasses • Career planning and progression support
Working with experienced engineers throughout your apprenticeship will help you build confidence, gain practical skills, and establish valuable professional contacts within the engineering sector.
Entry Requirements
To join this apprenticeship, you will need one of the following:
• Level 1 in initial assessments
OR
• GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C)
If you do not already hold the required English and maths qualifications, you will be supported to achieve:
• Level 1 English and maths • Level 2 English and maths assessment before your End-Point Assessment where required
For apprentices with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Entry Level 3 in English and maths is accepted. British Sign Language is recognised as an alternative qualification where it is your primary language.
You must also be employed in a relevant engineering role. If you are not currently employed, Weston College can provide advice and support to help you find a suitable apprenticeship opportunity.
What can I do after this course?
Successful completion of this apprenticeship provides an excellent platform for further study and career progression.
You could progress to:
• Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship • Specialist engineering qualifications • Advanced manufacturing programmes • Higher engineering apprenticeships with further experience
Career opportunities include:
• Engineering Operative • Engineering Technician • Manufacturing Operative • Mechanical Engineering Operative • Production Technician • Maintenance Operative • Assembly Technician • Quality Inspection Technician
With further qualifications and industry experience, you could progress into engineering technician, manufacturing engineering, maintenance engineering, supervisory, or specialist technical roles.
What do I do now?
Ready to apply? – Please use the ‘apply now’ button on this page. From here you'll be taken through to our application portal.
Want to learn more? – Visit and see the facilities and chat to staff by signing up for our next open event.
Have a quick question? – Use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.
Full Fee: £0.00 ?
Supported Fee: £0.00
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