Engineering Apprentice (Level 6)

Work safely and professionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, following Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality standards Develop safe working practices, including electrical safety, safe isolation, permit systems and machine safety principles Get hands-on with automated manufacturing equipment and associated control systems Support engineers to maintain, fault-find and troubleshoot production machinery Use engineering tools, test equipment and diagnostic instruments to diagnose problems Learn to read engineering drawings, electrical schematics and technical documentation Build your understanding of electrical circuits, sensors, actuators, drives and industrial control components Develop knowledge of PLC architecture, industrial networks and automation principles Assist with fault-finding on automated manufacturing equipment. Support maintenance and troubleshooting of PLC-controlled machinery Help diagnose electrical, control and automation system faults Learn PLC programming principles and software development techniques Support robot operation, maintenance and basic programming activities Assist with commissioning and validation of automation equipment Take part in machine modifications and continuous improvement projects Learn about industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus and CC-Link Support machine safety verification activities, including interlocks, light curtains, safety relays and safety PLC systems Develop competence in servo drives, motion control systems and machine vision technologies Help collect data, monitor performance and support reliability improvements Work under supervision to develop, modify and optimise PLC programs Diagnose and help rectify complex automation, control system and robotics faults Take part in robot programming, integration and optimisation activities Support the specification, design and implementation of automation projects Help install and commission new manufacturing equipment Develop HMI systems, operator interfaces and production monitoring solutions Support the integration of industrial networks and communication systems Contribute to capital projects involving automation, controls and robotics Carry out structured root cause analysis and help develop corrective actions for recurring equipment failures Analyse production and machine performance data to identify opportunities for improvement Assist in creating technical documentation, standards and engineering procedures Support cybersecurity and network integrity of industrial control systems Provide technical support and guidance to production teams and maintenance personnel

Training:
The apprentice will train through a combination of workplace learning and academic study They will develop practical skills and knowledge by working on real engineering projects with their employer, supported by experienced engineers

This hands-on experience is complemented by structured academic learning

Year 1: Foundation Degree Level 4 (1 day per week) plus Foundation Competence Level 2 (2?3 days per week)- 3 days total per week Year 2: Foundation Degree Level 5 (1 day per week Years 3 and 4: Top-up degree delivered at Birmingham City University (1 day per week) Workplace Learning: Alongside academic study, the apprentice will gain practical experience by working on real engineering projects within the workplace, supported by experienced engineers

Delivery Method:

Years 1 and 2: Day release at James Watt College Years 3 and 4: Day release at Birmingham City University Ongoing workplace learning with employer

This blended approach ensures the apprentice gains both valuable industry experience and a strong theoretical understanding of control systems engineering, progressing from foundation level to a top-up degree.

Training Outcome:

Successful completion of this apprenticeship is expected to prepare you for progression into roles such as Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Manufacturing Systems Engineer or Reliability Engineer.

Employer Description:
SALTS Healthcare Limited is one of the UK's oldest family-owned healthcare companies, with a heritage dating back over 300 years. Based in Aston, Birmingham, the company is an internationally recognised manufacturer of medical devices specialising in stoma care products and services. SALTS Healthcare is committed to its vision of "Caring, Listening and Innovating to Improve Lives" and is dedicated to delivering high-quality products, exceptional customer support, and continuous innovation. The company values the development of its employees, investing in learning and professional growth, making it an excellent environment for apprentices seeking to build skills, gain valuable industry experience, and contribute to improving the lives of patients worldwide.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday- Hours to be flexible to suit business needs.

Skills:
Analytical skills,Attention to detail,Communication skills,Logical,Number skills,Organisation skills,Problem solving skills,Team working