Construction Plant Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship Level 3
Course Details
-
Department
Engineering -
Qualification
Level 3 -
Length
2 Years -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
An apprenticeship is a job with training. The job must have a productive purpose and should provide the apprentice with the opportunity to embed and consolidate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for their immediate job and future career.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
This apprenticeship usually requires the apprentice to have prior experience in the sector and be in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate achievement of all the Knowledge and Skills required.
Apprentices should have Level 2 Maths and English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where apprentices do not hold these qualifications they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these.
Cost for students aged Under 19
Free
for students over the age of 19 please contact us
Course summary
The construction sector officially accounts for over 6% of economic output of the UK and provides employment for more than 2.3 million people.
As a Construction Plant Equipment Engineering Technician you will provide advanced technical support and guidance across a diverse range of plant and equipment in the construction, plant and tool hire industry as well as allied industries such as rail plant, demolition and quarrying that use construction-based equipment.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to service, maintain and repair the wide range of construction-based equipment used within the construction and allied industries such as mobile cranes, excavators, disc cutters, crushers, demolition plant, road-rail equipment, water pumps, telescopic handlers etc. so that they function correctly, safely and efficiently, allowing construction and other projects to be carried out efficiently and on time.
As a technician you will typically have an understanding of the interface between machine, biological systems and the working environment.
The nature of the industry will present technical challenges ranging from simple mechanics to the diagnosis and repair of complex mechanical, electronic and telemetry systems. These operations may take place in the employer’s workplace or on the customer’s site requiring flexible working hours as dictated by requirements. Technicians may be called upon to advise customers and support work colleagues.
If you like to be constantly challenged and to work in varied environments, enjoy science, engineering or computer studies – and want to make a difference – then a career in engineering is the perfect choice for you.
Key Information
Construction Plant Maintenance Engineering Technicians typically work on site utilising their own initiative in a customer facing role. They are often called upon to mentor and supervise junior colleagues and dispense advice to customers on machinery selection. Typically they are involved in all aspects of;
- Preparation, installation and handover of complex technologically advanced machinery, plant and equipment and the verification of its performance to the manufacturers specification and customers satisfaction
- Diagnosis and repair of complex faults in machinery, plant and equipment
- Conducting complex repairs of machinery, equipment, and their components which may include supervising a junior colleague to assist in aspects of the repair.
- Conducting inspections of machines and the compilation of machinery condition reports
- Compilation of repair proposals, estimates and quotations and the implementation of timely and cost effective repairs
On successful completion of the training period, you will move through End Point Assessment Gateway and be in a position to undertake the assessments required in order to achieve your apprenticeship.
The End Point Assessment will only start once the employer is satisfied that you are consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, the pre-requisite gateway requirements have been met and that they can be evidenced to an End Point Assessment Organisation.
The End Point Assessor will be appointed by the EPAO and will be entirely independent to the college.
For this apprenticeship the End Point Assessment will include:
- On-line Knowledge Exam
- Practical assessment of tasks
- Presentation and professional interview
For most apprentices these assessments will take place at college, although they can be taken in the workplace.
Your apprenticeship will be graded Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction.
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The maximum duration for this apprenticeship training period is 36 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End Point Assessment.
This could be reduced where an apprentice holds previous experience, or holds a relevant Level 2 qualification.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria.
This apprenticeship usually requires the apprentice to have prior experience in the sector and be in a role with sufficient responsibility to enable them to demonstrate achievement of all the Knowledge and Skills required.
Apprentices should have Level 2 Maths and English, equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 (old GCSE Grade C) or above. Where apprentices do not hold these qualifications they must demonstrate the ability to achieve these.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training, where fees are applicable. We will discuss this with your employer when we complete a set-up with them.
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation. Many employers pay considerably more than the National Minimum Wage.
Information about the National Minimum Wage can be found at:

Employer involvement
Your employer must enable you to spend a minimum of 20% of your usual work hours undertaking off-job learning. This is defined as learning which is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.
This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties, and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
Off-job learning could include the following:
– Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training
– Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
– Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the End Point Assessment.
They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction.
College input
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, provide well planned vocational training and theory delivery by block release model and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
This programme is delivered at our York Campus on Block-release.
How to apply
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website.
This form can be found at: https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/application/register.
Upon receipt of your application you will have an interview with the Course Manager.
Further information
Apprentices on this programme follow the Land Based Service Engineering Technician: Construction pathway. Further information about the apprenticeship is available at:
Land-based service engineering technician / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Further information about the industry is available at:
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
-
York Campus
York is one of the College's two residential campuses and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
Student Stories
Siobhan’s Story
“Askham Bryan College is a fantastic college. It has been a pleasure learning here. All the tutors are willing to go above and beyond to ensure you have the best knowledge possible. I would recommend this college to anyone wanting to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse. ”
Ryan’s Story
“Choosing the level 3 Arboriculture course was a big decision being a 31-year-old self-employed landscape gardener. I am now at the end of my first year and there is no looking back. I have come on leaps and bounds professionally. I have already expanded my business into arboriculture with the skills and knowledge I have learnt. Askham Bryan College has been an eye opener and I've learned skills that I will take through my entire life.”