Engineering the Next Generation

Transcription

1 Engineering the Next Generation Apprenticeship Prospectus

2 As an apprentice you will learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. Becoming an apprentice You will work towards a work-based qualification such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualifications. Employers all over the country recognise and value apprenticeships as apprentices are able to demonstrate what they have been trained in. Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships typically take between two and four years to complete, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the level. Business apprenticeships can vary from one to two years. There is no set time to complete an apprenticeship, as they vary widely in content and size. The length of time taken will depend on your ability and your employer s requirements. The AMRC Training Centre offers Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships in the following areas: Mechanical manufacturing engineering Electrical and electronic engineering Fabrication and welding Engineering maintenance Engineering technical support (ie design, materials etc.) Business administration (Advanced only) Customer service (Advanced only) Entry requirements To join our engineering apprenticeship programme, you will need five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent), including mathematics, English and preferably a science/engineering qualification. For our business apprenticeships, you will need five GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent), including mathematics and English. Experience or a qualification in IT is also an advantage.

3 Why do an engineering apprenticeship? The engineering and manufacturing sectors need skilled people, and the types of role vary enormously. Because apprenticeships can now provide a route into higher education, there has never been a better time to consider an apprenticeship. Engineering isn t all drill bits and metal. Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to work in some of the world s most innovative industries, such as aerospace, automotive and low-carbon energy. There is no set rate of pay for apprentices. However, all employed apprentices must receive a wage of no less than 2.65 per hour. In practice, the average wage per week for an apprentice is now around 170 and in some job roles around 210 per week. As your skills develop, your pay will increase accordingly. Statistics show that, over the course of their career, young people starting with an apprenticeship earn on average 100,000 more than those without.* *Source - A cost-benefit analysis of apprenticeships and other vocational qualifications, University of Sheffield, 2007 What qualifications will I gain? Additional learning with the AMRC apprenticeship As well as the above qualifications, the AMRC Training Centre will provide you with further skills that will support your career within the world of work. These include presentation skills, lean manufacturing principles, project management, and technical and leadership skills. Our industry partners will also provide inspirational master classes on both the technical and career journeys within engineering. Engineering NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations Level 2 Award in Employment Rights and Responsibilities Level 2 Award in Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT (dependant on qualifications) NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Manufacturing Further Education Certificate, BTEC, HNC Business NVQ Levels 2 & 3 in Business Administration NVQ Levels 2 & 3 in Customer Service Level 2 Award in Employment Rights and Responsibilities Level 2 Award in Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT (dependant on qualifications) Technical Certificate

4 About the AMRC Training Centre The AMRC Training Centre is part of the University of Sheffield s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). The AMRC is a global centre of excellence for industry-focused machining and materials research. We work with companies from around the world, and have brought in millions of pounds of investment. Our cutting-edge Training Centre will be completed in autumn It is going to be an amazing place, with state of the art machinery and technology, teaching rooms and open learning areas. It will also deliver higher education courses such as engineering degrees and leadership training up to MBA level, and technical qualifications to help engineers improve their skills. We work with you and your sponsored employer to make sure that everything is going well and to plan. We will assign you with an apprenticeship support officer to support and guide you through your training programme. You will also be involved in activities such as employer and community projects, apprenticeship ambassador events and World Skills UK (a national competition for apprentices), providing the opportunity to get to know your fellow apprentices. What you will be doing The sort of work you ll be doing will depend on your employer. Employers vary in size from small businesses to large national and even international companies. Whatever the size of company, you ll need to be reliable and hard working. Your colleagues will be depending on you, especially when it comes to working safely. You ll learn how to do everything correctly and safely from the beginning. As your skills and knowledge increase, you ll be given more demanding, challenging and rewarding tasks. Many employers started out as apprentices themselves and are now running their own successful businesses. You ll constantly learn new skills at the AMRC Training Centre and put them into practice in a real working environment. These skills are vital to your apprenticeship and you ll need to record what you ve done in your qualifications portfolio to prove you are competent in your chosen trade. You may have to do this at home, so you ll quickly learn to balance your commitments. It ll all be worth it in the end, once you achieve a recognised qualification that sets you up for your future career in engineering.

5 What others say Matt First Year Apprentice, AMRC The apprentice programme so far has been a good learning experience. I have been working on a variety of machining work for the AMRC this year you never do the same job twice. I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship, it is brilliant working here. I ve really enjoyed the whole experience, in particular the step up to CNC machining Connor First Year Apprentice, AMRC I ve completed a lot of work for the Composites Centre and Rolls-Royce. The work I do is important and has meaning. The best aspect of this year has been moving onto the CNC milling machine, learning the whole concept of CNC work. I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship where else can you work on important projects, get paid and learn as well! Chloe - Final Year Apprentice, Newburgh Engineering I enjoy working in engineering because finding what components can be made by various different machines interests me very much. I think that apprenticeships are the best path to take because you re gaining experience whilst actually working in the industry and earning money! Most employers will back you 100% if you want to go on to University part time which means getting the best of both worlds for my career. Apprenticeships are the way forward! Jake Apprentice, Newburgh Engineering I loved taking things apart and putting them back together as a child it fascinates me how all the different parts fit, and now I m making complex, precision engineering components myself! Going into engineering was a natural progression for me. I ve found my apprenticeship very rewarding, and as a hands-on person I ve learned well working and learning in the same environment. It motivates me knowing I m doing well for the company, and producing critical parts for the oil & gas industry.

6 How to apply If you think you have the vision and talent to make one of these opportunities your own, submitting an application is your first chance to show an employer how good you really are Apply If you know which apprenticeship you would like to undertake, fill in our application form. This can be found on our website ( We will acknowledge your application with an and ensure that we maintain contact with you throughout the recruitment process. Assessment and interview If you are successful with your application, the next stage will be assessment and interview. This will assess your suitability for the apprenticeship programme. Feedback We will contact you after your interview to tell you if you have been successful or unsuccessful. If you have not been successful this time, we will give you hints and tips to help you in your career search. We will invite you and your parents/carers to an open evening at the AMRC Training Centre before you start your apprenticeship, providing the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to meet the training team. This will be the start of your apprenticeship journey, which will offer you an exciting and rewarding career within engineering.

7 Hints & tips Here are a few tips to help you: Make sure you have checked our website to ensure you have the qualifications you need to apply. When you prepare your application, think carefully about the role you are interested in and your relevant skills and tell us about any engineering work experience or projects that you have been involved in. Ensure you complete all the sections of the application form, answering each question fully, providing detailed examples of what you did, how you went about it, what went well, etc. When you prepare your CV, think carefully about the role you are interested in and your relevant skills. Ensure you provide full details of your GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications. If you have lost these you can get copies from your exam board(s). You can contact your school/college to find out who that was, but the process can take up to eight weeks. Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And finally, good luck!

8 How to find us If you would like find out more about the AMRC Training Centre and how we can help your business, please contact us at By Bus TM Travel A1 Bus Service runs between the Rotherham Interchange and the Sheffield Interchange. The nearest bus stop to the AMRC Training Centre is on Waverley High Field Spring road. Please see: timetables/sheffield/328 for more details. Rotherham J33 By Train Both Sheffield and Rotherham have excellent rail links with the country s networks. The A1 bus service can be picked up from both rail stations. It is approximately a 25 minute bus ride to the AMRC training centre. Station information can be found at or By Road The AMRC Training Centre is part of the Advanced Manufacturing Park, on the border of Sheffield and Rotherham. It is easily accessible from Junction 33 of the M1 the AMP is clearly signposted from the first junction on Sheffield Parkway. North A630 Sheffield Parkway South Morrisons Supermarket Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Nuclear AMRC AMRC Proposed Training Centre Site KTC AMRC 1