What is the purpose of this qualification?
This qualification is suitable if the learners need an extended level 2 course in engineering. It will be of specific relevance to:
• Young people interested in an engineering career but not yet sure of the precise area of the industry in which they would like to work and who intend, but are not yet ready, to access level 3 qualifications or an advanced apprenticeship
• Young people and adults, usually with prior attainment at level 1 and below, including those who have had a significant break from or disjointed experience of education, who wish to work in engineering but need a broad grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills before identifying the most suitable job roles and applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides the learners with a broad range of engineering skills, as well as core knowledge of engineering, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in engineering and across other sectors. The learners must take the following mandatory units:
• Working Safely and Effectively in Engineering
• Mathematics for Engineers
• Applied Electrical and Mechanical Science for Engineering
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as CAD, production planning, engineering materials) alongside generic employability skills (such as time management and setting and meeting targets at work).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma. The learners should take the Extended Certificate if, before progressing, to a level 3 Apprenticeship, to a level 3 qualification, or to employment (with further training where possible), learners need a more extended introduction to the sector, including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge relevant to a number of potential job roles in the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills.
Which sector does this qualification support?
The learners could progress from this qualification to an engineering job role such as fabricator, welder or tool fitter or to become an apprentice engineer with a particular specialism, such as an electrical, mechanical or machine-shop engineer.
What are the progression options?
The learners can progress to a level 3 certificate or diploma in engineering including mechanical, electrical, motor and chemical engineering that could include progression to an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Engineering, Access to Higher Education Diploma in Computer Science and Maths, or to an advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering in any of the available pathways.
Progression & entry requirements
The learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. However, you will benefit from having English and maths skills at level 1. The qualification is available to learners of any age.
