If you're passionate about engineering and want to play a hands-on role in developing, improving, and delivering real-world products and solutions, this Higher Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacturing is for you. It’s the perfect starting point for a rewarding technical career, where you’ll be part of the team that helps turn great ideas into high-quality, reliable results.
Our Level 4 Apprenticeship gives you the best of both worlds—practical experience in the workplace and weekly sessions at college to build your technical knowledge. You’ll work towards an industry-recognised qualification while gaining real insight into engineering processes like quality control, production planning, and problem-solving.
As an Engineering Manufacturing Technician, you'll be right at the heart of the action—supporting engineers to bring new ideas to life and improve how things are made. Whether it's developing cutting-edge products or refining existing processes, your job will be to gather and analyse technical data, solve problems, and create reports and documentation that help teams deliver high-quality results on time and within budget.
You'll work closely with engineers, team leaders, and sometimes even customers and suppliers. One day you could be in the office planning production schedules, the next you might be on the factory floor or visiting a supplier site. You'll have real responsibility for the quality, safety, and performance of what your team produces—and the freedom to use your judgement and technical know-how to make things better. If you're organised, curious, and enjoy practical problem-solving, this role offers a dynamic and rewarding career path.
You will need exposure to relevant workplace experience in order to gather evidence that meets the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours outlined in the Professional Standard. While Maths and English Functional Skills are optional, you will need one of the following qualifications to be eligible:
As an apprentice, you'll develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares you for real-world engineering roles. You’ll build strong problem-solving abilities, using critical thinking and digital tools to tackle complex challenges creatively.
You'll also grow as an independent learner, developing resilience, self-management, and the ability to reflect, plan, and prioritise effectively. Interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and influencing will be key, alongside commercial awareness—understanding client needs, managing budgets, and knowing how the engineering sector operates.
You'll also gain essential business knowledge, from legal responsibilities to how companies are structured and managed. Throughout the apprenticeship you'll have opportunities to explore topics in depth, make connections across units, and focus on areas that interest you most.
You will be assessed throughout the duration of your apprenticeship to evaluate both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Assessment methods include practical observations, knowledge assessments, assignments and projects.
To conclude your apprenticeship, you will complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). This may include a combination of:
The purpose of the EPA is to verify that the apprentice has met all the required standards for the apprenticeship program and is ready to work independently in their field.
You will attend the University Centre Leeds on a day release basis for two years to complete the qualification. The remainder of the time will be in the workplace building a portfolio of evidence for the End-Point Assessment portfolio.
Upon successful completion of this apprenticeship, progression may include completing a Higher National Diploma (HND) or moving into relevant employment.
Job opportunities include:
