APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAYS

EC PIPEFITTEREC PIPEFITTER

The Pipefitter is a vital Engineering Construction role, working within strictly defined processes and procedures to exacting standards. This often involves working on major infrastructure projects such as power stations and oil and gas facilities, both in the UK and overseas Engineering Construction Industry.

This programme focuses on the production of complex formed pipework and pipework systems including pumps, valves, filters and tanks. Apprentices learn skills and processes such as bending and forming shaped pipe to create new systems or to repair existing failing systems, and the production of joint preparations including welded, threaded and flange plated connections to pipes.

The Pipefitter can work in hazardous environments which can include working at height, over water and in confined spaces. The Pipefitter role encompasses the positioning, assembly, fabrication, maintenance, repair and decommissioning of piping systems. This can include working in environments with systems that may carry water, steam, food, pharmaceutical, chemicals, gas, hydrocarbons or fuel.

GENERAL WELDER LEVEL 2

Welders are often required to carry out repairs in confined spaces, or to work at height, securing structures on installations such as oil rigs, stadiums and processing plants. The programme teaches traditional welding skills and their application in the modern engineering environment, including adapting to new processes and working with new and different materials.

Welding skills require continuous personal development to keep pace with the rate of change required for this type of engineering. Young engineers must have a high level of hand-to-eye coordination and the ability to work consistently and in often challenging conditions.

Welding engineers can also develop excellent careers in the ship repair, conversion and shipbuilding industry. Lighter welding processes exist in the aerospace, automotive and general engineering sectors. All of these offer huge opportunities for a lifelong career with worldwide prospects.

PIPE WELDER

Pipe Welders are found working in a wide range of sectors where piping systems are used for fluid transport and pressure containment, including Oil and Gas, Construction, Aerospace and Pharmaceuticals.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to manually weld tubes and pipes to high standards of quality and integrity using a minimum of two manual arc welding processes from Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Plasma Arc Welding (PAW), Manual Metal Arc (MMA), Metal Inert Gas (MIG)/Metal Active Gas (MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW).

Pipe welders’ work is regularly assessed to ensure continued quality of welding through visual inspection, non-destructive testing and pre-commissioning pressure testing. They can work anywhere in the world and provide services in a range of demanding environments, including working at height, confined spaces, on live plant and equipment. This could include fabrication workshops, oil rigs, power stations, process plant facilities, and on-board marine vessels.

PLATE WELDER

A plate welder specialises in joining metal plates using various welding techniques. These plates can range in size and thickness and are used in constructing a wide range of structures and components across a range of sectors, including Construction, Mining and Mineral Processing and Transport.
The role involves reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings to understand the specifications and requirements of the welding project, preparing the workpieces by cleaning, cutting, and aligning the metal plates, inspecting welds for defects, and ensuring they meet quality standards.

Plate welders work in a range of environments across the world, including fabrication shops, assembly yards, construction/building sites, factories, and operational facilities that require maintenance and upgrades. This occupation may involve working at height, and beside or over water. Plate welders’ work will be regularly assessed to ensure continued quality of welding and overall integrity of the component being welded, as specified in the applicable component design code. This could include visual inspection, non-destructive testing and destructive testing of production test pieces.

ENGINEERING FITTER — MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL (MEchEng)

The broad purpose of an Engineering Fitter is to produce complex high-value, low-volume components or assemblies in full or part, using machines, equipment or systems to the required specification. For example, turbines, cranes, gearboxes, production lines, rigs and platforms.

To produce or refurbish the components, fitters will interpret drawings or specifications and plan their work, for example ensuring they have the right tools, equipment and resources to complete the task to the required specification. Fitters are required to check their work against quality standards and make adjustments as required based on their knowledge.

On completion of the task, a fitter will hand over the product and prepare the work area for the next task by checking that the equipment meets the standards required to operate. They may be based in a workshop or clients premises — this may include hazardous environments.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Engineering Technicians are predominantly involved in highly skilled, complex work within the Aerospace, Aviation, Automotive, Maritime Defence and wider Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.

Engineering Technicians take responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake within the limits of their personal authority. They also need to be able to demonstrate a core set of behaviours to be competent in their job role and complement wider business strategy and development. This will enable them to support their long term career development.

Engineered and manufactured products and systems that Engineering Technicians work on could involve mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical and fluid power components/systems.

MACHINING TECHNICIAN

Machining Technicians produce complex and precision machined products that are typically used in machinery. For example, aeroplanes and vehicles. They can also produce bespoke components or products for domestic appliances or medical equipment. They use a variety of machines to carry out their work, including centre lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines, and horizontal and cylindrical grinding machines. Electro discharge machines, single and multi-axis Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machine tools centres. This occupation is found in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) sector, which includes Aerospace, Automotive, Maritime Defence, Nuclear and Construction sectors.

Machining Technicians interpret information and plan their activities. They are given a lot of responsibility, and their role is vital to the overall work environment as they set up, operate, and adjust machine tool settings. When using CNC equipment, they can produce, prove and validate programs. They inspect components and machinery, report issues and support continuous improvement activities. They typically work in a manufacturing environment. Depending on the organisation, they may be required to work at height or work shifts.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other Machining Technicians, as well as various stakeholders. They typically report to an engineering or manufacturing team leader. Typically, this would be as part of a defined or cross functional team. They may also interact with customers, suppliers, colleagues, quality auditors and regulators.

INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Electricians may work on the installation, initial verification and testing, commissioning, and maintenance of low voltage (up to and including 1000 V or AC 1500 V DC) electrical and electronic equipment. Electricians can also work on the maintenance of electrical and electronic installations including automated production systems.
The scope of an Electrician’s work encompasses using engineering knowledge and understanding to apply technical and practical skills. They contribute to the design, development, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of products, equipment, processes, and electric systems or services.

Electrical equipment and systems may include switchboards, motors, cables, fuses, as well as property and life safety installations and renewable energy technologies plus the installation and maintenance of electrical connections of new and emerging technologies supporting low carbon targets. These new technologies include enhanced connectivity and green and renewable technologies, including heating and cooling technologies.

Electricians may work in both indoor and outdoor settings on a range of electrical equipment and systems. They can work on their own proficiently and work without immediate supervision in the most efficient and economical manner. Once qualified, some electricians may choose to become self-employed contractors.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ELECTRICAL

Electrical maintenance engineers, like mechanical maintenance engineers, are a key feature of every manufacturing and production business in the engineering sector. Different levels of maintenance are required to keep factories, process plants, power stations, oil and gas rigs, wind farms and utilities services operating effectively and safely. However, the specific hazards associated with electrical systems mean that this kind of work is usually carried out by highly qualified and experienced electrical engineers who need to be trained in a range of skills areas. So the role of the Electrical Maintenance Engineer can broad, challenging and extremely dynamic.