Manufacturing Technician (Level 4)

Typical job roles

Providing specialist technical support for engineers.

This occupation is found in large and small engineering and manufacturing organisations providing products and services throughout a wide range of sectors, such as Automotive, Aerospace/Airworthiness, Chemical Processing, Land Systems, Marine, Maritime Defence, Materials Manufacturers and their respective supply chains. Research indicates that the sector needs to recruit approximately 124,000 engineers and technicians every year.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide specialist technical support for engineers, so that organisations can develop, produce or test new/existing products, processes, or procedures to meet a customer specification in terms of quality, cost and delivery, as efficiently and effectively as possible. Engineering Manufacturing Technicians gather information and data from a range of sources and analyse the information/data. They will make decisions, solve problems and produce and/or update technical documentation, reports or specifications covering areas such as quality, reliability, production schedules/targets, costing or other technical documentation that informs others, either internally or externally what needs to be done such as how a product must be designed, manufactured, tested, modified, maintained, stored, transported, commissioned or decommissioned.

More Information

Typical Tasks

• Work with other engineers and managers to discuss and develop engineering systems
• Work with other engineers and managers on complex engineering projects
• Supervise and provide technical guidance to engineering staff
• Apply scientific, mathematical and engineering principles to design engineering products and systems
• Develop quality programmes and plans for engineering projects

Entry criteria

4 or 5 GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English and Mathematics for a Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard or 90+ credits in an Engineering BTEC at level 3.

(As further guidance, the level of Mathematics has an advisory GCSE level of grade B (Grade 5/6 in the new numerical GCSE grading system)

Typical duration

42 months (however can be less depending on prior experience)

Career/progression opportunities

This Engineering Manufacturing Technician (Level 3) standard has been designed to meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech) in partnership with the appropriate institutions as shown below:

• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (for electrical and mechanical)
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) (for piping and mechanical)
• Royal Aeronautical Society

Dependent on employer requirements, progression onto higher level qualifications (HND, Degree) or a Higher/Degree Apprenticeship