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Engineering Courses for School Leavers

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Engineering at West Suffolk College provides a practical and theoretical introduction to mechanical and electronic engineering, computer aided drawing and microprocessing. You’ll get the skills to help solve the problems of tomorrow – from how aircraft work to the electronics in your mobile phone.

The Level 3 course could earn you enough UCAS points to study engineering at any UK university or take an advanced apprenticeship, working with an engineering firm and career off to an early start.

Engineering Apprenticeships

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The UK is once again one of the global leads for Engineering and Manufacture. Our innovation and high quality, together with efficient timescales of delivery make us stand out. The East of England is a powerhouse for the UK economy much of which comes from the outstanding engineering companies in the region.

At West Suffolk College we offer organisations and learners the chance to learn and develop the skills required to ensure engineering remains prominent in the local area. We offer Level 2 to Level 6 and work with employers across many different pathways such as Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Maintenance, Welding, Tool Making, Design, Installation etc. Our excellent facilities allow for learning to be conducted in a very supportive environment and our work based team helps to embed that classroom knowledge fully in the workplace.

Engineering Degrees, HNCs & HNDs

Overview of apprenticeship

The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan, select and size, install, commission, service and maintain (including fault finding, diagnosis and repair) zero carbon central heating and hot water systems in buildings including dwellings and industrial and commercial premises. Zero carbon heat sources may include but are not limited to Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal Collectors. The occupation includes work on both new build and existing properties and typically involves the installation, service, fault finding and repair of zero carbon heating and hot water appliances, storage vessels, pipework, heat emitters and associated components and their mechanical and electrical control systems.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers and end users, and as such requires a high level of customer service. The role is physical in nature and involves the manual handling of heavy equipment, working at height and in confined spaces.

Delivery Plan and Assessment

All will have achieved English at level 2, Mathematics at level 2 by the end of the Apprenticeship. Apprentices will be required to attend West Suffolk College - Bury St Edmunds on a day release model to gain knowledge and practical skills before going on to complete their End Point Assessment.

Where will this course take me?

Qualified status in Installation and Commissioning of Heat Pumps to Level 3

Entry requirements

Individual employers will identify any relevant entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, trainability tests, or other criteria. Typically, most candidates will have English and Mathematics at level 2.

Qualifications

Low Carbon Heating Apprenticeship Level 3

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.

A separate grant is available for employers based in South Norfolk, for further information visit Building Futures - Apprenticeship incentive grant (apprenticeshipsnorfolk.org) 

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

Starting 01/08/2024


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