The Manufacturing Industry offers an exciting and varied career both in the UK & abroad providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment.

Businesses within the sector range from small family run manufacturing operations to large multi-national companies driving the countries growth & wealth.

The UK’s Manufacturing Industry is highly regarded worldwide for its innovation and manufacturing excellence and requires a high degree of skill & knowledge across all levels of their organisations.

A Lean Manufacturing Operative will be expected to carry out their work safely and meet the exacting quality standards demanded in a fast paced and efficient processing environment and develop into a multi-skilled operator through process ownership.  A lean manufacturing operative can be required to carry out manufacturing activities on multiple products with different specifications consecutively e.g. automotive manufacturing – Multi models manufacturing results in the manufacturing of different models of vehicle with different specification variants within a high volume environment.

They will be required to prepare, control, contribute to and complete manufacturing operations, and follow manufacturing processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) whilst adhering to specific safe working policies & procedures. A Lean Manufacturing Operative will be responsible for maintaining Health and Safety requirements at all times e.g. wearing correct Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) correct use of equipment and tooling, safe stopping and resetting of machinery, maintain an organised work area e.g. 5s (Sifting, Sorting, Sweeping, Spick & Span and Sustain) ensuring the safe disposal of waste in line with environmental systems and regulatory requirements (ISO 14001). They will be required to contribute, develop and support improvement in the manufacturing operation using continuous improvement methods, kaizen tools, process   visualisation using lean principles and problem solving tools and techniques. They will be responsible for carrying out quality checks throughout the manufacturing operations to ensure quality is built in and that any defects or concerns are highlighted and dealt with in line with relevant quality standards (ISO 9002).

They will work closely with stakeholders and will have clear reporting lines to ensure appropriate escalation e.g. teamleader, line leader, process leader, supervisor etc. should problems occur within the process.

The Apprenticeship includes:

• Learning within the workplace
• Development of new Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs)

Apprentices completing this programme will receive:

• Level 2 Diploma in Manufacturing (knowledge and skills)
• Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship
• Level 1 Functional Skills Maths/English (as required)

Apprentices will undertake a programme of study in a suitable customer service environment setting before progressing through the Gateway to End Point Assessment (EPA).

The apprenticeship is delivered and assessed using a range of methods and activities using a hybrid model which can include live online sessions, assignments, projects, case studies, reports, work-product evidence, self-directed study, and interactive groupwork activities, in addition to observations within the workplace.

The apprenticeship at a glance

Duration: 12 months then end point assessment (based on employment of at least 30 hours per week).

Starts: Throughout the year.

Suitable for: Current and new employees

Entry requirements: Working in an appropriate role, 16+.

“Off the job” element: All delivery sessions and workshops plus activities including, assignments, case studies, reflection, work-product evidence, tutorials, and group activities.

Support for students: Dedicated assessor for the duration of the programme.

Support for employers: UCQ account manager for the duration of programme with practical experience of business management and leadership

Eligibility: Individuals holding existing qualifications may join, providing they are not sector-related.

Assessment: There are no exams, successful completion of the apprenticeship is entirely based upon the following assessments:

• Knowledge – assignments; work-sheets
• Skills and Behaviours – Self-reflection, peer and line manager reviews, witness testimonies, assessor observations within the workplace, work-product evidence
• End-point assessment

If you have any questions you can contact UCQ by emailing: apprentices@ucq.ac.uk