Standards Apprenticeship – Engineering Technician (Fitter) Apprenticeship

Course information

Standards Apprenticeship – Engineering Technician (Fitter) Level 3 apprenticeship is ideal if you want to start your journey to becoming a qualified engineer. The apprenticeship route provides an ideal foundation for a wide range of skills within the engineering field.

Within the 4-year apprenticeship, you will start from a general engineering platform at the foundation phase (years 1 & 2), where you will learn a grounding in Engineering, with a mix of units. You will learn a range of practical skills, be able to follow technical drawings and work carefully and methodically. The course is 75% practical workshop based with 25% classroom theory work. You will have to complete a range of practical assessments to a high standard alongside reports that detail what you have done and whether you met the required standard.

You will then progress onto the development phase (Years 3 & 4) where you will hone your skills specific to your pathway and your job. Learning all the skills and knowledge required in greater depth and understanding that years 1 & 2. This phase is 50% theory and 50% practical. Completing units on a pass/merit/distinction basis. All training is provided by ex-industry experts with many years within their field to guide you through your learning and assessment within the course.

Once you have completed the two qualifications (Foundation and Development phases) you will progress to an End Point Assessment, where you will be assessed on your skills and knowledge over a range of tasks and an interview.

Units on this apprenticeship include:
Fitter
Health and Safety
Communications
Engineering mathematics
Mechanical principles
Applications of mechanical systems
Computer-aided design
Maintenance procedures and techniques
MIG/MAG welding
General maintenance techniques
Inspection and quality control
Toolmaking

We have award-winning partnerships with many world-class organisations in Cornwall, See career progression tab for a list of current apprentice locations.

To ensure you gain all the skills needed for a career as an engineer, you will need to start your apprenticeship in the foundation phase. On successful completion you will move through to the development phase, this will lead to employment or you can continue onto our HNC/HND programs.

What You Will Learn

You’ll learn on day-release from your employer to Cornwall College Camborne campus, developing a range of skills including health and safety, fabrication, welding, CAD design, hand fitting and machining in the foundation phase alongside all the skills required for your chosen pathway at the development phase.

The apprenticeship route allows you to tailor your learning to suit your job and the skills required.

Entry Requirements

Ideally three GCSEs at grade 4, including English, maths and IT and to be employed in a relevant role.

Progression

You can go on to our HNC/HND program.

Careers in this industry
- Architectural engineer
- Civil engineer
- Commercial engineer
- Commissioning engineer
- Contracting engineer
- Defence engineer
- Design engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Electronics engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Estimator engineer
- Facilities manager
- Geotechnical engineer
- Health and safety engineer
- Hydrology engineer
- Infrastructure engineer
- Instrumentation and control


- Architectural engineer
- Civil engineer
- Commercial engineer
- Commissioning engineer
- Contracting engineer
- Defence engineer
- Design engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Electronics engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Estimator engineer
- Facilities manager
- Geotechnical engineer
- Health and safety engineer
- Hydrology engineer
- Infrastructure engineer
- Instrumentation and control

Companies we currently work with include:
- A & P Falmouth Ltd (Engineering)
- In Steel
- Kernow Coatings Ltd
- Minear Engineering Limited
- Pall Aerospace
- Pendennis Shipyard
- Powerfal Ltd
- Preci-Spark Ltd (PL27 6HB)
- Progress Engineering
- S.W Pipeworks
- South West Laundry
- Tecker Limited

Cornwall College Camborne

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Find out more about our Camborne campus

The Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre

The Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre

Cornwall College’s specialist Engineering Skills Centre in the heart of industry in Plymouth.

The Plymouth Engineering Skills Centre was opened in 2014 as a solution to our growing number of learners in and around Plymouth. It now acts as a training hub for apprentices from multiple local and international manufacturing companies, as well as providing daytime and evening courses for school pupils, adults and businesses.

The Centre is fully fitted out for manufacturing, electrical and maintenance training as well as TIG, MIG and arc welding, CAD/CAM and PAT testing.

Find out more about our Plymouth campus

Events

Open Event Taster Event

Cornwall College Camborne

Open Event & Taster at Camborne Campus

• 8 May 2025