Apprenticeship Structure

How will the apprenticeship be structured?

Our apprentices work towards a series of qualifications over four years:

Year 1: You will study full-time at Kingston College, our training partner, for the whole of your first year. Apprentices specialising in Mechanical Engineering will start the Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Machinist – Advanced Manufacturing Engineering) and apprentices specialising in Electronic Engineering will start the Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Product Design and Development Technician). You will work towards a level 2 qualification in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence).

Years 2, 3 and 4: From your second year, you will spend four days a week onsite at Imperial College London in South Kensington. Here you will do a series of rotations across a selection of our busy workshops and laboratories. You will also attend Kingston College one day each week to continue with your off-the job training programme. This pattern will continue for the remainder of your apprenticeship. Apprentices specialising in Mechanical Engineering will gain a level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Machining, a level 3 Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge) and a level 4 Higher National Certificate. Apprentices specialising in Electronic Engineering will gain a level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Product Design and Development and a level 4 Higher National Certificate.

What will I do whilst working on the job?

• Learn a broad range of engineering skills: designing, developing, manufacturing and testing.
• Have access to excellent training in the workplace and at college, whilst earning a salary.
• Use the latest design and manufacturing methods including computer aided design, rapid proto-typing and computer controlled manufacturing methods.
• Support students at Imperial College in their learning: preparing resources, helping them use equipment and demonstrating processes.
• Support researchers in exciting projects that have an impact on people and the world we live in.
• Learn and carry out a range of engineering activities, not normally carried out by a single individual in an engineering organisation.
• Work in one of the best universities in the world, with an enthusiastic team of technician staff, supporting the activities of Imperial College London.