Engineering update January 2018

BTEC Nationals

We are submitting the following qualification to the DfE on the 16th February 2018 for inclusion in the 2020 Performance Tables as an Applied General qualification:

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Engineering

This qualification has been amended and will now consist of Unit 2 and Unit 3 from the BTEC Nationals suite.  Both units are mandatory.

Engineering Apprenticeships

The following standards are currently in development and we are hopeful that these will be approved for delivery before September 2018.  For more information on any of these standards please look at the new IfA website where the apprenticeship standard and assessment plans will be hosted once approved:

• Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative (to replace the PMO pathway on the Level 2 Improving Operational Performance SASE Framework
• Level 2 Engineering Operative (to replace the PEO pathway on the Level 2 Improving Operational Performance SASE Framework)
• Level 3 Fabricator (to replace the Fabrication and Welding pathway on the Level 3 Engineering Manufacture SASE Framework)
• Level 3 Improvement Technician (to replace the BIT pathway on the Level 2 Improving Operational Performance SASE Framework
• Level 4 Improvement Practitioner (to replace the Level 3 Operations and Quality Improvement SASE Framework)

Apprenticeship Qualifications Amendments

The following qualifications are being amended that meet the on programme requirements of the new Apprenticeship standards in Engineering

• Level 2 Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Foundation Knowledge) - changes to the Pass/Merit/Distinction Criteria for many units and an update to Unit 10.  To be completed by August 2018.
• Level 3 Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge) - additional of a mandatory unit (Helicopter Theory of Flight) to be taken as an either/or with the current Aircraft Flight Principles and Practice.  Also adding in an additional optional unit covering helicopters.  To be completed by April 2018
• Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering - addition of optional units to the structure to cover the requirements of the Engineering Technical Support occupation within the Engineering Technician standard.  Also creation of 2 specialist pathways within the structure (Mechanical and Electrical).  To be completed by July 2018.
• Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician (Technical Knowledge) - further optional pathways (Telecoms, Signalling, Overhead Line and Track) are to be added to the structure.  To be completed by July 2018.

Qualification Withdrawals

We are planning to withdraw the following qualifications in December 2018.  If you have any requirements to keep these qualifications active please contact Bryony Leonard

• Pearson Edexcel Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Marine Engineering
• Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Marine Engineering

Research Activities

We will be carrying out research in to the following areas over the next couple of months.  If you are interested in getting involved please contact Bryony Leonard.

• Research into levels of knowledge and skills in Adhesive Bonding (as an alternative to welding).  We have been approached by the European Adhesive Tapes Association who are willing to provide CPD sessions into the use of Adhesives and Adhesive Tapes in Engineering and Manufacturing.  These sessions are likely to run over the summer period and we are looking at the requirement for these sessions as well as locations of where these sessions could be held.
• Level 3 Rail Engineering Diploma and Extended Diploma.  We currently have a 360 GL sized qualification in Rail Engineering that has been designed for the Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship.  We are looking at the requirement/desire for larger sized qualifications (probably 720/1080 GL) for delivery to full time students.  We are looking for interested centres to see what these qualifications should contain to meet the needs of learners wanting to enter the rail industry.

T Levels

As many of you may be aware, the Government are currently conducting a consultation into the future of Post 16 Vocational provision.  The proposal is to develop a new suite of qualifications across all sectors called T Levels.  The new qualifications for the Engineering and Manufacturing sector are due to be implemented from September 2021.  The current planned full implementation date for T Levels is September 2024.

View the Government Consultation documentation. The consultation closes on the 8th February if you want to respond.

In addition the Government are also consulting on the occupational route maps for the new T Level provision.  Read the consultation. The consultation closes on the 25th January which may be too late for you to respond, but this will give you an idea as to which occupations will be in which pathway.

Pearson has submitted responses to both surveys and updates will appear in this newsletter when they are available.

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