Apprenticeship in Automation Line Operations and Maintenance

Apprenticeship in automation line operations and maintenance, combining college learning with hands-on work on automated equipment. You will progress through operator levels, develop fault-finding, testing and continuous improvement skills, and support safe, reliable production. Apply to build a career in engineering with real responsibility.

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Learn to work safely by following Health & Safety, environmental and sustainability policies, SOPs and Work Instructions.
• Support the basic setup, operation and monitoring of automated equipment.
• Help with machine setup alongside experienced senior operators.
• Assist engineers and senior operators with maintenance, testing and fault investigation on automated equipment.
• Record accurate production and maintenance data and help maintain work centre documentation.
• Take part in continuous improvement activities, including waste reduction and problem-solving.
• Develop condition monitoring skills by checking system parameters and recognising changes from normal operation.
• Use technical documentation, maintenance schedules, drawings, component identification and specifications.
• Carry out fault diagnosis and rectification as your skills develop, following approved procedures.
• Support autonomous maintenance activities and help keep equipment on schedule.
• Assist with installation and setup of automated assemblies, sensors, pneumatic components and electrical connections within your competency.
• Maintain maintenance and material usage logs, downtime investigations, adjustments and component checks.
• Contribute to safe isolation procedures and risk assessments when trained and authorised.
• Work with engineering, production, quality, inventory and management teams to support plant availability and performance.
• Train and support lower-level operators as your competence increases.

Where you'll work

Apollo Building, Aston Hall Road
Aston
Birmingham
B6 6BQ

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

Training course

Mechatronics maintenance technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Use information technology, for example to create documentation, communication and information management.
• Obtain, read and interpret task related documentation, such as work instructions, quality control documents, drawings, operation manuals, specifications and service manuals.
• Record information for example job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
• Conduct initial assessment of equipment that requires maintenance.
• Formulate plans setting out the methodology of the maintenance activity including timescales and resources.
• Select, prepare and use material, consumables, tools and equipment.
• Comply with health and safety regulations and organisational requirements applicable in the workplace. For example, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, PPE and applying safe systems of work.
• Apply dynamic risk assessment, hazard identification and risk mitigation principles and techniques.
• Apply isolation principles and techniques to equipment undergoing maintenance, including dissipation of stored energies as required.
• Manufacture, repair and refurbish components using hand and machine tools.
• Restore the workplace on completion of the maintenance activity. Handover resources, consumables and equipment to process owner.
• Apply the techniques and processes used in reactive maintenance and repair activities on complex engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Produce, maintain, update, record and store documentation including electronic items such as PLC and robot programmes.
• Apply techniques and processes used in planned and preventative maintenance activities on engineered systems such as electrical, electronic, mechanical, fluid power and control systems.
• Apply functional testing and checking techniques and processes after maintenance interventions, and handover to the operational team.
• Apply techniques and processes used in condition monitoring, non-destructive or sensory testing. Record findings and take necessary actions.
• Apply calculation techniques such as, feeds, speeds, tolerances, electrical calculations using Ohms law, power calculations and cable sizing calculations.
• Select, use and confirm calibration of electrical and mechanical testing and measuring equipment.
• Produce sketches or drawings to support maintenance activities.
• Communicate in writing. Prepare communications, documents and reports on technical matters.
• Segregate, separate and dispose of waste streams and by-products.
• Apply 4S or 5S principles of housekeeping to the work environment.
• Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve operational performance.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques.
• Communicate with others verbally. Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or arrange access to equipment.
• Follow equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
• Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
• Apply fault finding techniques used in reactive maintenance on complex integrated systems including half split, input output, six point technique, function or performance testing, unit or component substitution and equipment diagnostics.