Engineering Design Technician Apprenticeship – Level 3

This apprenticeship is designed to develop skilled engineering design technicians who can contribute to various industries of national importance, including power and water infrastructure, petrochemical, oil and gas, nuclear, renewables, food and drink processing, defence, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. 

Occupational Roles: Apprentices can specialise as Electrical Power Design Technicians, Control and Instrumentation Design Technicians, Mechanical Design Technicians, Piping Design Technicians, or Structural Design Technicians.

Core Responsibilities: They will produce engineering designs and drawings for components, structures and systems used in industrial and commercial construction. This includes creating CAD models and engineering drawings, interpreting technical specifications, and evaluating design options.

Skills Development: Apprentices will learn to use CAD software, understand technical models, and communicate design information effectively. They will also be trained to comply with health, safety and environmental standards.

Professional Growth: The apprenticeship aligns with professional recognition from institutions like IMechE, ICE, IET and iED for Engineering Technician status.

This programme ensures that apprentices are well-prepared to meet the demands of the engineering design industry and can contribute effectively to your organisation.

GCSEs in Maths and English grades 4-9 (C or above) or Level 2 Maths and English Functional Skills.

Apprentices will be required to attend all off-the-job training during term time to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the standard and complete their mandatory qualification. Employers will actively be involved in the 12-week review process and will support target setting to develop their apprentices. Employers will also provide support in preparing the apprentice for their End Point Assessment (EPA).

Apprentices are expected to demonstrate the following behaviours:

• Effective Communication: maintain working relationships and communicate effectively with project teams, customers and stakeholders.
• Reliability and Responsibility: work reliably and independently, taking responsibility for their own work while also being an effective team member.
• Commitment to Safety and Standards: adhere to health, safety, environmental and sustainability standards, as well as professional development and ethical practices.
• Compliance: follow relevant legislation, regulations, company policies and procedures.
• Attention to Detail: interpret technical information accurately to meet customer design requirements and ensure high-quality outputs.
• Problem-Solving: support the identification, analysis and evaluation of factors affecting technical designs and contribute to developing effective engineering solutions.

These behaviours ensure that apprentices are well-prepared to meet the demands of the engineering design industry and can contribute effectively to their organisations.

Level 3 Engineering Design Technician Apprenticeship

The apprentice will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods. This will include observations, completing job write-ups, question and answers and witness testimonies from the employer. The apprentice will build a portfolio of work-based evidence that they will present for their End Point Assessment (EPA).

The End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Engineering Design Technician Level 3 apprenticeship:

• Purpose: The EPA assesses the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) at the end of their apprenticeship.
• Assessment Methods:
  1. Project with Report: Complete a project, write a report (max 3000 words) and present it. The presentation includes at least five questions from the assessor.
  2. Interview: An interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence, lasting at least 60 minutes with at least nine questions.
  3. Multiple-Choice Test: A closed-book test with 35 questions, to be completed in 70 minutes.
• Gateway Requirements: Achieve necessary qualifications in English and Mathematics, submit a project summary and provide a portfolio of evidence.
• Grading: The overall grades available are fail, pass, merit and distinction.

The apprentice will attend College on a day-release basis over three academic years depending on their prior skills and learning.

The apprentice will be required to come equipped with the following personal protective equipment (PPE): safety boots, safety glasses and company workwear/overalls.

They can advance to programmes such as:

• Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician
• Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer
• Level 6 Product Design and Development Engineer

This apprenticeship is suitable for a variety of job roles, including:

• Electrical Power Design Technician
• Control and Instrumentation Design Technician
• Mechanical Design Technician
• Piping Design Technician
• Structural Design Technician
• CAD Technician
• Draughtsperson
• Drawing Technician
• Systems Design Technician

These roles involve producing engineering designs and drawings for components, structures and systems used in industrial and commercial construction.

You may already have someone in your organisation or someone who has come to you directly asking for an apprenticeship. However, if you don’t, we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and can provide external advertising through social media and the National Apprenticeship Service’s website.

If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421