The programme runs for either 32 months (standard route) or 13 months (fast track) on-programme, followed by an End-Point Assessment (EPA) period of 4 months.

Fast Track is subject to prior learning, experience and employer agreement in line with apprenticeship funding rules.

The apprenticeship combines a common core of engineering maintenance knowledge, skills and behaviours with specialist development in one of three disciplines. The selected option is agreed according to the apprentice's job role, employer requirements and the plant, equipment and systems they work with.

Electrical Engineering Maintenance Technician: for roles focusing predominantly on electrical plant, equipment and systems. Apprentices develop competence in electrical fault diagnosis and problem-solving, testing, safe isolation and returning electrical systems to service.

Control and Instrumentation Engineering Maintenance Technician: for roles focusing on control, instrumentation and automation. Apprentices learn to maintain, test and diagnose faults within control and instrumentation systems, applying systematic fault-finding techniques to ensure accurate, reliable and safe operation.

Mechanical Engineering Maintenance Technician: for roles focusing predominantly on mechanical plant and equipment. Apprentices develop competence in mechanical fault diagnosis, component replacement, adjustment, testing and restoration of equipment to operational condition.

Engineering Maintenance Technicians are responsible for maintaining the safe and reliable operation of engineering plant, equipment and systems across industries including manufacturing, energy, processing, utilities, transport and chemicals. Their responsibilities may include:

• Planning and preparing engineering maintenance activities
• Carrying out planned and preventative maintenance
• Responding to breakdowns and reactive maintenance requirements
• Diagnosing engineering faults and identifying root causes
• Repairing, replacing and adjusting components
• Testing plant, equipment and systems and returning them safely to operational service
• Using maintenance management systems and engineering documentation
• Applying health, safety and environmental requirements
• Contributing to continuous improvement activities
• Working effectively with engineering, operations and other stakeholders

Engineering Maintenance Technicians must combine technical competence with effective problem-solving, professional judgement and a strong commitment to safe working practices.

Funding: Levy and non-levy employer funding available.

Find out how apprenticeship funding works for your organisation on our apprenticeships for employers page, or speak to our team.

Delivery Model: Workplace-based with structured technical training and remote learning support, relevant to the apprentice's selected engineering maintenance discipline. Delivery includes:

• Workplace-based learning
• Structured off-the-job training
• Practical engineering maintenance training
• Tutor-led technical workshops
• Remote learning support
• Specialist development within the apprentice's selected discipline
• Workplace observations and practical activities
• Fault-finding and diagnostic activities
• Professional discussions and reflective practice
• Evidence development and End-Point Assessment preparation

Apprentices must complete a minimum of 744 off-the-job training hours. Employers must provide protected time during working hours for this training and suitable workplace opportunities for apprentices to develop and demonstrate both the core requirements and the specialist requirements of their selected discipline.

Apprentices develop the professional behaviours expected of an Engineering Maintenance Technician, including:

• Taking responsibility for their own work
• Prioritising health, safety and environmental requirements
• Working effectively with others
• Communicating professionally
• Applying a logical and methodical approach to problem-solving
• Adapting to changing operational requirements
• Maintaining high standards of quality
• Demonstrating a commitment to continuous professional development

Throughout the apprenticeship, learners develop and demonstrate occupational competence within both the core requirements and their selected specialist discipline. Before entering End-Point Assessment, apprentices must:

• Achieve Level 2 English and Maths (if required in line with current apprenticeship funding rules)
• Demonstrate the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard
• Demonstrate the specialist knowledge and skills associated with their selected discipline
• Complete their on-programme portfolio
• Complete a minimum of 744 off-the-job training hours
• Be confirmed as occupationally competent by their employer

The EPA is conducted by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation and typically includes:

• Observation with questions
• Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
• Multiple choice test

The apprentice must successfully pass the EPA to achieve the full apprenticeship standard.

• Employment within a suitable engineering maintenance role
• A job role aligned to one of the three specialist disciplines: Electrical, Control and Instrumentation or Mechanical Engineering Maintenance
• Access to appropriate engineering plant, equipment and systems
• Sufficient workplace opportunities to undertake planned, preventative and reactive maintenance
• Opportunities to develop fault-finding and diagnostic competence
• Commitment to safe working and professional engineering standards
• Motivation to develop advanced engineering maintenance skills and technical knowledge

Individual English and Maths requirements will be identified during the initial assessment and enrolment process. As part of initial assessment, High Ridge Training will work with the apprentice and employer to identify the appropriate specialist discipline and ensure that the job role provides sufficient opportunities to develop and demonstrate the requirements of the standard.

Employers can enquire about enrolling an apprentice onto this programme.

On successful completion, apprentices may progress into more advanced technical, specialist, supervisory or engineering roles. Progression opportunities may include further development within:

• Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician
• Electrical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Control and instrumentation
• Engineering maintenance and reliability engineering
• Asset management
• Engineering leadership and supervision
• Continuous improvement

Career progression opportunities may include:

• Electrical Maintenance Technician
• Mechanical Maintenance Technician
• Control and Instrumentation Technician
• Engineering Maintenance Technician
• Maintenance Engineer
• Reliability Technician
• Senior Maintenance Technician
• Engineering Team Leader

With further occupational experience and professional development, apprentices can progress into senior technical, supervisory, management and professional engineering roles.

• Develop advanced engineering maintenance skills within a real workplace environment
• Specialise in Electrical, Control and Instrumentation or Mechanical Engineering Maintenance
• Develop systematic fault-finding and diagnostic capability
• Strengthen planned, preventative and reactive maintenance skills
• Develop safe and professional engineering working practices
• Gain an industry-recognised Level 3 apprenticeship
• Build a strong foundation for progression into senior technical and engineering roles

Explore our engineering apprenticeships or read more about apprenticeships for employers.

Professional Membership: IMechE Affiliate Membership

Apprentices are supported to access Affiliate membership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), providing an introduction to professional engineering membership and the wider engineering community. Professional membership helps apprentices to:

• Begin developing their professional engineering identity
• Engage with a recognised professional engineering institution
• Access engineering knowledge, resources and professional development opportunities
• Develop an understanding of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Explore future technical and professional registration pathways

Accredited CPD: Asbestos Awareness Training

Apprentices also complete an accredited CPD course in Asbestos Awareness, particularly relevant where engineers may work on or around existing plant, equipment, services and building infrastructure. The training supports apprentices to:

• Understand what asbestos is and why exposure can be dangerous
• Recognise common asbestos-containing materials
• Understand where asbestos-containing materials may be found within workplaces, plant and buildings
• Understand the importance of asbestos management procedures
• Recognise when work should stop and appropriate advice should be sought

Asbestos Awareness training supports recognition and avoidance of asbestos-related risks; it does not qualify an apprentice to undertake work on asbestos-containing materials.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners. Apprentices receive ongoing pastoral, academic and professional support throughout their programme.

The full Engineering Maintenance Technician (Single Discipline) apprenticeship standard (ST1426) is published on Skills England. You can also contact our team for advice on eligibility, funding and start dates.