Welder (Arc Processes) Apprenticeship Standard Level 2

On completion of this Apprenticeship there is the opportunity to progress onto a Level 3 Plate Welder or Level 3 Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship Standard, continue with full-time education or employment.

There are numerous pathways for General Welders that wish to pursue higher-level careers in Welding. Future job roles could include: Multi-positional Welder, High Integrity Welder, Welding Instruction or Teaching, Welding Inspection, and Managing and Supervising Welding Operations.

Please only apply for this course if you already have a suitable employer to support you throughout your Apprenticeship. If you do not currently have an employer you can apply for Apprenticeship vacancies by visiting www.peterborough.ac.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-vacancies Do you enjoy using maths, science and technology to solve every day problems?Are you looking for a career that could take you all over the world? Welding is a way to make high strength joints between two or more parts. General Welders use high electrical energy to form an arc. Manual dexterity is essential in controlling the arc, which is used to melt metals, allowing them to fuse together to form a structurally sound weld. General Welders are fully competent in manual welding using at least one arc process.General Welders are in high demand in many sectors, for example; automotive, marine, transport, general fabrication, construction and many more. As a general welder you could produce items like components for cars, ships, rail vehicles, metallic containers, steel work for bridges, buildings and gantries. Welding is a safety-critical occupation and you will need to take responsibility for the quality and accuracy of your work. You will be required to produce joints that satisfy basic quality standards to ensure the finished product functions correctly, contributing to the safety of all.You can apply for an Apprenticeship if you are living in England, over 16 and not in full-time education. You must be in paid employment for the duration of your Apprenticeship, you cannot be self-employed or a volunteer. Employers must pay you the minimum Apprenticeship wage or more, for a minimum of 30 hours a week.

During this apprenticeship you will learn core skills, knowledge and behaviours required for an Engineering Technician, as well as specialist skills and knowledge required for your chosen pathway. Core skills, knowledge and behaviours include:

Core Knowledge:

• Understanding the importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations
• Understanding the general engineering/manufacturing mathematical and scientific principles, methods, techniques, graphical expressions, symbols, formulae and calculations used by engineering technicians
• Understanding the structure, properties and characteristics of common materials used in the sector
• Understanding the typical problems that may arise within your normal work activities/environment
• Understanding approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering/manufacturing problems
• Understanding the importance of only using current approved processes, procedures, documentation and the potential implications for the organisation if this is not adhered to
• Understanding and interpreting relevant engineering/manufacturing data and documentation in order to complete your job role
• Understanding the different roles and functions in the organisation and how they interact
• Understanding why it is important for an organisation to continually review their processes and procedures

Core Skills:

• Obtaining, checking and using the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
• Working safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements; planning and, where applicable, obtaining all the resources required to undertake the work activity
• Undertaking the working activity correctly using the correct processes, procedures and equipment
• Carrying out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment
• Dealing promptly and effectively with engineering/manufacturing problems within the limits of your responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and reporting those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel
• Completing any required documentation using the defined recording system at the appropriate stages of the work activity
• Restoring the work area on completion of the activity and, where applicable, returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location

Core Behaviours

Personal responsibility, resilience and ethics: comply with health and safety guidance and procedures, be disciplined and have a responsible approach to risk, work diligently at all times, accept responsibility for managing time and workload, and stay motivated and committed when facing challenges. Comply with any organisational policies/codes of conduct in relation to ethical compliance.

Work effectively in a team: integrate with the team, support other people, consider implications of your actions on other people and the business.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills: open and honest communicator, communicating clearly using appropriate methods, listening to others, and having a positive and respectful attitude.

Focus on quality and problem solving: follow instructions and guidance, demonstrate attention to detail, follow a logical approach to problem solving, and seek opportunities to improve quality, speed and efficiency.

Continuous personal development: reflect on skills, knowledge and behaviours, seek opportunities to develop, adapt to different situations, environments or technologies, and have a positive attitude to feedback and advice.

You will also be required to learn specific skills and knowledge that are related to Mechatronics Maintenance Apprentices.

Specialist Knowledge:

• Understand mathematical techniques, formulae and calculations in a mechatronics maintenance environment and the type of equipment being maintained
• Understand mechanical, electrical, electronic, fluid power and process control principles in a mechatronics maintenance environment
• Understand how equipment being maintained functions and operating parameters in individual components and how they interact
• Understand fault diagnostic methods, techniques and equipment used when maintaining equipment and systems
• Understand condition monitoring methods and equipment used and understand how the information gained supports the planning of maintenance activities
• Understand how to minimise machinery downtime by implementing planned preventative maintenance programmes

Specialist Skills:

• Read and interpret data and documentation used to maintain components, equipment and systems
• Carry out condition monitoring of plant and equipment
• Carry out planned maintenance activities on plant equipment
• Carry out complex fault diagnosis and repair activities on high technology engineered systems such as:
  • Maintaining mechanical equipment
  • Maintaining fluid & pneumatic power equipment
  • Maintaining electrical & electronic equipment
  • Maintaining process control equipment
  • Carry out configuration testing and subsequent smooth handover of equipment & plant supporting the installation
  • Testing and commissioning of equipment (where applicable)
  • Contribute to the business by identifying possible opportunities for improving working practices, processes and/or procedures

Apprentices can follow two separate pathways: Mechanical Bias or Electrical Bias from year 2 depending on your role and desired specialist outcome. Apprentices are expected to attend college for 3 days a week in Yr 1, 2 days a week in Yr 2, and 1 day a week in Yr 3 as part of 20% off-the-job training. Additional off-the-job training hours are expected to be completed within the workplace; however, you may be asked to complete tasks at home via Google Classroom and OneFile. Please note you may also be asked to complete additional English and Maths qualifications as part of the Apprenticeship programme.