Engineering Manufacturing Technician (Mechanical Engineering) - Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Summary Next steps Key information Key learning Delivery model Support from B&FC Assessment Apprenticeship Summary The Engineering Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship offers a dynamic opportunity for individuals looking to play a critical role in the UK’s thriving engineering and manufacturing sectors. With an industry demand for over 120,000 engineers and technicians annually, this apprenticeship is an ideal pathway for aspiring technicians and a strategic investment for employers.Apprentices will develop the technical skills and analytical mindset needed to support the development, production, and testing of cutting-edge products, systems, and processes. From aerospace and automotive to chemical processing and defence, this apprenticeship opens doors to a wide variety of sectors. Apprentices will learn how to gather and interpret data, solve complex problems, and contribute to decisions that directly impact quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. As part of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices will study for a Level 4 HNC in an Engineering or Manufacturing discipline that fully aligns with the KSBs of the standard. (Please note: For apprentices in the aviation industry, there may be a need to take further qualifications to meet the Civil Aviation (CAA) requirements).Employers benefit by gaining highly capable team members trained in real-world environments—whether in an office, on the factory floor, or collaborating with suppliers and customers. Apprentices will engage with engineers, quality specialists, and regulatory bodies, gaining valuable experience that contributes to continuous improvement and innovation.With responsibilities spanning product development, documentation, quality assurance, and compliance, apprentices will play a key role in ensuring that products are delivered safely, on time, and to exacting standards. For those with a passion for problem-solving and making things better, this apprenticeship is a rewarding and future-proof career move. Apprenticeship standard dates Start date Location Duration / Fees 14 Sep 2026 Bispham Campus / £21,000 Enquire now Next steps As an EmployerIf you would like to offer this as an apprenticeship vacancy within your organisation, enrol one of your existing employees on this apprenticeship or simply find out more about supporting an apprenticeship within your organisation, please complete the Enquire Now form above and a member of our Business Development Team will be in touch within 2 working days to advise you on next steps. As an ApprenticeIf you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as a Engineering Manufacturing Technician, please visit our Vacancies page to check for any suitable roles.If there are currently no roles available, please submit an enquiry form using the Enquire Now button above to register your interest. We will use this information to let you know when a suitable vacancy becomes available and also to advise you of any courses we offer that might advance your career goals in the meantime. Key information Entry RequirementsPlease note: Where wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a mandatory requirement of the course, it is the responsibility of the learner to ensure that they are able to wear such equipment. Further information can be obtained at the IAG session which all applicants are invited to or by calling Course Enquiries on 01253 504343. How will the Apprenticeship be funded?As the employerHow your apprenticeship is funded will depend on whether or not you pay the Apprenticeship Levy. If you do pay the Levy, your apprenticeship will be funded out of this, provided you have sufficient monies available. If you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy, 95% of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, with the remaining 5% being funded by you. There may also be some further incentives offered by the Government which we will be able to advise you of when setting up your apprenticeship. Either way, B&FC's Business Development Team will be on hand to help you navigate the funding arrangements and support you through this process.As the apprenticeOne of the benefits of an apprenticeship is that, as the apprentice, you are not required to fund your training. You will also receive a wage for the work that you do with minimum hourly rates set by the Government. Your employer can choose to pay you more than the minimum wage, but they cannot pay you less. For details of current minimum wage rates for apprentices, please visit the Government website. Terms and conditionsPlease visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information. What will my Apprentice learn? KnowledgeApprentices will develop a sound understanding of:Core engineering and manufacturing principles including mechanical, electrical, and electronic concepts, along with materials, production methods, and the impact of sustainability on decision-making.Problem-solving and project management tools such as Root Cause Analysis, PFMEA, SWOT, risk mapping, and how they are used to drive improvements in manufacturing environments.Lean manufacturing tools and techniques (e.g. 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, Poka-Yoke) and their role in optimising production, quality, and waste reduction.Quality management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, AS9100), assurance and control techniques, and how internal compliance supports efficient manufacturing.Effective communication strategies and team collaboration approaches including conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement and managing difficult conversations.Documentation, data systems and software such as CAD, databases, and analytics tools, and how they support design, production, cost control and compliance.Health, safety and environmental policies, legislation, and human factors that impact performance, behaviour, and compliance in engineering and manufacturing settings.Industry 4.0 and the integration of digital systems, automation, and smart technologies in the future of manufacturing and engineering.SkillsApprentices will learn to:Interpret and extract engineering and manufacturing data from a range of sources to inform decisions and produce technical documentation and reports.Apply structured problem-solving and lean techniques to identify, analyse and resolve engineering and manufacturing issues.Use project management tools and techniques to support planning, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.Communicate effectively with a range of audiences using verbal, written, digital and presentation methods, incorporating appropriate data and metrics.Use computer-based tools and systems such as CAD, databases, and data analytics to support design, analysis and manufacturing activities.Create, update, and manage quality and manufacturing documentation in line with compliance and documentation control procedures.Manage and review financial data including cost forecasting, investment appraisal, and departmental budgeting to support business objectives.Apply knowledge of safety standards, SOPs, production methods and quality checks to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing processes.BehavioursApprentices will demonstrate:A proactive commitment to health, safety, environmental and quality standards, promoting a safety-first culture in all aspects of work.A methodical and transparent approach to work, taking accountability for outcomes and managing risk responsibly.A willingness to embrace and promote new technologies and continuous improvement within engineering and manufacturing processes.Personal motivation, resilience, and ownership of their own professional development, seeking opportunities to grow.Professional conduct, acting ethically and respectfully in all internal and external interactions.Collaborative working, building effective and trustworthy relationships across teams and stakeholders.A positive and adaptable mindset, responsive to new challenges, evolving technology, and changing workplace needs. Expert TutorsAll tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. This is especially important for apprenticeships where off-the-job training needs to align with apprentices' on-the-job experience. How will the Apprenticeship be delivered? The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 42-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. Apprentices' time will be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme typically with four days a week spent at the employer premises learning on the job and one day a week spent off-site, undertaking classroom-based and workshop-based training at B&FC. This delivery model and the method of delivery can be varied to suit the needs of individual employers, including accommodating remote modes of study. What support will I get from B&FC? As the employerEach employer is supported by an experienced member of our Business Development Team to set up their apprenticeship. For those employers who are completely new to the apprenticeship process, the Team will support them with all the necessary paperwork and administration to get their apprenticeship programme up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. For existing employers, their dedicated Client Services Manager will be an ongoing point of contact for all their apprenticeship queries, however big or small.We can also help employers who are looking to recruit new apprentices by advertising their vacancy, finding suitable applicants and supporting them with the interview and selection process. Once an apprentice is onboard, our Curriculum Tutors and Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches also step in to support the employer-apprentice relationship and ensure the apprentice is on track to succeed.As the apprenticeIn the first instance, we aim to give potential apprentices all the support they need to find a suitable apprenticeship. That can mean working with them prior to an application to improve their CV, hone their interview skills and advise them of any additional training that may help them secure an apprenticeship vacancy.Once they start their apprenticeship, we continue to support them with their off-site training and with regular meetings with our Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches to ensure they are progressing and acquiring all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure they complete their apprenticeship successfully. How will the Apprenticeship be assessed? What is an end-point assessment and why it happensAn EPA is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship. The EPA is the apprentice's opportunity to show an independent assessor how well they can carry out the occupation they have been trained for.The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:failpassdistinctionWhen the apprentice passes the EPA, they will be awarded their apprenticeship certificate. To move forward to the end point assessment, the apprentice must have completed and submitted their portfolio of evidence and passed their Level 4 qualification. Assessment methodsObservation with questioningThe apprentice will be observed and questioned over a three-hour period undertaking work tasks in their normal workplace designed to demonstrate their practical grasp of the KSBs and the theory underpinning these.Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidenceThe apprentice will also have a separate professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes during which the assessor will ask a series of questions based on the portfolio of evidence the apprentice has compiled and which should demonstrate their competency in the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the occupational standard.