Overview of apprenticeship
The Manufacturing Industry offers an exciting and varied career both in the UK & abroad providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment.
The UK's Manufacturing Industry is highly regarded worldwide for its innovation and manufacturing excellence and requires a high degree of skill & knowledge across all levels of their organisations.
A Lean Manufacturing Operative will be expected to carry out their work safely and meet the exacting quality standards demanded in a fast paced and efficient processing environment and develop into a multi-skilled operator through process ownership. A lean manufacturing operative can be required to carry out manufacturing activities on multiple products with different specifications consecutively e.g. automotive manufacturing – Multi models manufacturing results in the manufacturing of different models of vehicle with different specification variants within a high volume environment.
Delivery Plan and Assessment
Learners will attend West Suffolk College one day a week for taught sessions, excluding half terms and holidays. In total, learners have to spend 20% of their time on programme completing Off-The-Job training, this includes their day release, and any shadow shifts. Apprentices will be supported by 1:1 meetings in the workplace by their dedicated Programme Tutor. Additional learning resources and information will be made available online to ensure a fully blended learning experience.
Learners will be required to complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their learning.
Where will this course take me?
As well as ensuring full competence as a Lean Manufacturer Operative, this apprenticeship provides a foundation of transferable skills for potential progression into roles such as processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing.
Down to business, what can I do and what can I earn?
Your wage is decided by your employer however must meet the National Minimum Wage regulations https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates.
Entry requirements
Whilst any entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs including Maths and English, Grade C or above or 4/5 (new grading). Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including a relevant Level 2 qualification.
Apprentices without English and Maths at Level 2 must achieve these prior to taking their End Point Assessment.
Qualifications
- EAL Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (knowledge and skills) 603/3589/0
- ETCAL Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (knowledge and skills) 603/5151/2
- Pearson BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (knowledge and skills) 603/4344/8
- OAL Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (Knowledge and Skills) Ofqual number: 603/6783/0
No other qualification can be completed within this standard
How is this funded?
Learners
Apprentices are not required to contribute financially towards Apprenticeship training.
Employers
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of £3 million or more, you will pay into an apprenticeship levy. This levy is then used to pay for the training element of the apprenticeship course. The total figure for the Apprenticeship is negotiated before enrolment and once confirmed will be taken in monthly payments from your account directly to us or paid to us via invoice should additional fees be required.
If you are an employer with an annual wage bill of under £3 million, the Government will fund 95% of the training fee meaning you will be required to contribute 5%. You may be required to contribute additional fees which we will invoice the company for. The additional fees will be made known and negotiated prior to the Apprentice enrolment.
There are additional incentives available if you are a small employer (under 50) and if you train/recruit a 16-18 year old or 19-24 year old with an Education Health and Care Plan.
Contact us on 01284 716235 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details of costs and how Apprenticeships are funded.
Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here
Try out our apprenticeship levy calculator here
I'm interested. What should I do now?
You apply for an Apprenticeship in the same way you would apply for a job: find an apprenticeship vacancy, send in your CV or complete an application. We can help you with applications and give you interview advice. Please view the following page on our website to see our latest Apprenticeship vacancies. Apprenticeship Vacancies: https://www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships/vacancies Alternatively, you can look on the GOV.UK website to see what other Apprenticeships vacancies may be available: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch Employers - Please contact us to speak with a member of the Apprenticeship Team for more information and to organise a face to face visit.
Days & times
Please contact us for dates and further information