Control Systems Engineer - Degree Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Summary
In a world driven by automation, the Control Systems Engineer Apprenticeship offers both employers and apprentices a unique opportunity to shape the future of industry. Found across high-impact sectors such as aerospace, automotive, logistics, oil & gas, maritime, defence and more, this apprenticeship equips individuals with the expertise to monitor, manage and optimise the advanced systems that keep operations running efficiently, safely, and reliably.
For apprentices, this is a pathway into an exciting, multi-skilled engineering role. You'll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology—such as programmable logic controllers, robotics, human-machine interfaces, and industrial networks—while learning to design, test, commission, maintain and improve control systems across a wide range of industries. You’ll develop the skills needed to work on complex equipment and software, solving problems that truly make a difference to productivity, safety, and performance. What's more, you'll also gained a recognised honours degree qualification awarded by Lancaster University, which typically sits in the top 15 higher education institutions in the UK.
For employers, this apprenticeship builds critical capability in your workforce. Control systems engineers play a key role in increasing plant efficiency, reducing downtime, and driving continuous improvement. Whether you’re a manufacturer, a service provider, or an OEM, you’ll benefit from employees who can lead fault-finding, support outages, contribute to major project work, and deliver sustainable business improvements.
This apprenticeship is more than a qualification—it’s an investment in operational excellence and future-ready talent.
Apprenticeship standard dates
| Start date | Location | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
14 Sep 2026
|
Lancashire Energy HQ
|
|
Next steps
As an Employer
If 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 Apprentice
If you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as a Control Systems Engineer, 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
How will the Apprenticeship be funded?
As the employer
How 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 apprentice
One 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 conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will my Apprentice learn?
Knowledge
Your apprentice will develop a strong understanding of:
- How to work safely and securely in complex industrial environments, including cyber security and compliance with regulations.
- The principles behind control systems, electrical and fluid power systems, and the components that drive them — like valves, motors, and pumps.
- Designing and managing the full lifecycle of control systems, from initial concept to installation, maintenance and improvement.
- Programming, network protocols and digital tools used in automation, such as PLCs, HMIs and industrial networks.
- Applying maths, science and data analysis to improve system performance and solve technical problems.
- Managing projects effectively, understanding how cost, quality, and deadlines impact business success.
- Driving innovation using techniques like Lean and Six Sigma and understanding the role of emerging technologies like Industry 4.0.
- Collaborating across teams and presenting technical and project information clearly and effectively.
Skills
Your apprentice will learn how to:
- Design, build, test, and maintain control systems.
- Troubleshoot complex faults and use structured problem-solving techniques.
- Lead projects, manage resources, and respond to changing needs.
- Use software tools like CAD, simulation, and data analysis platforms.
- Monitor and improve system performance using real data.
- Work safely, lead improvements, and drive operational excellence.
- Communicate effectively with engineers, stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Take ownership of work, demonstrate leadership, and support others.
Behaviours
Apprentices will demonstrate:
- A strong commitment to health, safety and quality.
- Responsibility, professionalism, and ethical decision-making.
- Teamwork, resilience, and a positive attitude towards change.
- A desire to grow through continuous learning and innovation.
- Leadership by example and respect for others at all levels.
Expert Tutors
All 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 typically be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme 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.
What support will I get from B&FC?
As the employer
Each 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 apprentice
In 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 happens
An 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:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
When 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 degree qualification.
Assessment methods
Project with report
The apprentice will be asked to complete a project and write a supporting report, the title and scope of which must be agreed with the external assessor at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 9000 words (with a 10% tolerance).
The apprentice will have 12 weeks to complete the project and submit the report to the assessor.
The apprentice will also need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. The presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the report. The presentation with questions will last at least 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
The apprentice will also have a separate professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask at least 10 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of the occupation, 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.