Engineering - Apprenticeship Level 3

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 18th February 2028

Attendance at an information session is required.

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Course Content

This course comprises of a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering alongside both NVQ Level 2 and NVQ Level 3 qualifications. This is designed to equip you with knowledge, understanding behaviours and practical skills required for success in a range of mechanical and electrical maintenance roles with additional units to meet the engineering sector requirement.

You will study a range of engineering based subjects which are aimed at providing a broad understanding of both electrical and mechanical engineering.

Subjects, such as CAD, secondary machining, robotics, electrical circuits and microprocessors, are backed up with theoretical principles of mechanical and electrical engineering and mathematics. Every effort is made to ensure a good mix of practical and theoretical study; however, the topics described herein are subject to change without notice.

Special Features

• You will study a level 2 NVQ and a Level 3 Diploma in Engineering in Year 1.  In Year 2 you will study a Level 3 NVQ and year 2 of the Level 3 Diploma in Engineering.
• You will be required to attend the college for 2 days per week in year 1 and 1 day per week in year 2. The remainder of your working time will be spent in employment.
• The industrial link provided by the apprenticeship route is an excellent method of gaining access to the work experience required to enter industry while simultaneously attaining a recognised qualification.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is a mixture of on-site work-based assessment, in-college coursework assessment and external examination.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and:

• Have 5 GCSEs at C or above. This must include a B in Mathematics and C in English.
• Have attained the minimum school leaving age of 16.
• Be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment with a Northern Ireland-based company and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/off- the-job training) with one employer
• Have the potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 3 Apprenticeship Framework
• Achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (eg GCSE) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department for the Economy.  These are outlined above.
• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department for the Economy.
• Attend an information session.

All relevant paperwork should be uploaded to the admissions portal prior to being considered for an apprenticeship, this should include your:

• Employer response form
• Vision verification form (Electrical Installation only)
• One form of official photographic ID
• Official proof of your National Insurance number eg Letter from HMRC

To access the forms and for further details visit our Apprenticeship page 

Many apprenticeship candidates go on to continued employment with their apprenticeship employer. Others move within industry, leveraging their new qualifications and industrial experience.

Successful candidates who wish to continue along the academic route are afforded access to the Foundation Degree or Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes, offered by Further Education Colleges across the UK. This may be used as a stand-a-lone qualification or used as access to a University Degree.