Toolmaker and Tool and Die Maintenance Technician Level 3

APP000014

Toolmakers and Tool and Die Maintenance Technicians are predominantly involved in the highly skilled, complex and specialist detailed work of manufacturing and maintaining the engineering tooling used to produce components, products and assemblies.

Who is it for?

Toolmakers and Tool and Die Maintenance Technicians are involved in the highly skilled, detailed work of manufacturing and maintaining the engineering tooling used to produce components and products. You will learn to use manual and computer numerically controlled machinery. This will include programming and operating mills, lathes and EDM equipment. Hand fitting and finishing skills are highly valued in this area of engineering.

You need to be aged 16 and over with 4 GCSEs at Grades A-C or 9-4 including Maths and English.

What will I learn?

Whilst undertaking this apprenticeship you will gain a wealth of knowledge and skills undertaking a key role within your company. In addition you will achieve the following qualifications:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Machining
  • Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence)
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)
  • English Functional Skills Level 2 (if required)
  • Maths Functional Skills Level 2 (if required)

When can I start?

Right now! Our apprenticeships team work with local employers to make apprenticeships. New vacancies are added to the PETA website and it’s really easy to apply - so why wait?

Course Overview

Core Knowledge

  • Understanding the importance of complying with statutory, quality, organisational and health and safety regulations
  • Understanding of general engineering/manufacturing mathematical and scientific principles, methods, techniques, graphical expressions, symbols formulae and calculations used by engineering technicians
  • Understanding the structure, properties and characteristics of common materials used in the sector
  • Understanding the typical problems that may arise within their normal work activities/environment
  • Understanding approved diagnostic methods and techniques used to help solve engineering/manufacturing problems
  • Understanding the importance of only using current approved processes, procedures, documentation and the potential implications for the organisation if this is not adhered to
  • Understanding and interpreting relevant engineering/manufacturing data and documentation in order to complete their job role
  • Understanding the different roles and functions in the organisation and how they interact
  • Understanding why it is important for an organisation to continually review their processes and procedures

Core Skills

  • Obtaining, checking and using the appropriate documentation (such as job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation)
  • Working safely at all times, complying with health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and organisational requirements
  • Planning and, where applicable, obtaining all the resources required to undertake the work activity
  • Undertaking the work activity using the correct processes, procedures and equipment
  • Carrying out the required checks (such as quality, compliance or testing) using the correct procedures, processes and/or equipment
  • Dealing promptly and effectively with engineering/manufacturing problems within the limits of their responsibility using approved diagnostic methods and techniques and report those which cannot be resolved to the appropriate personnel
  • Completing any required documentation using the defined recording systems at the appropriate stages of the work activity
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity and where applicable return any resources and consumables to the appropriate location

Core Behaviours

  • Personal responsibility, resilience and ethics.
  • Work effectively in teams.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Focus on quality and problem solving.
  • Continuous personal development.

Specific Specialist Knowledge

  • Mathematical techniques, formula and calculations
  • Structure, properties and characteristics of common materials used for the manufacture and repair of tooling, moulds, dies and jigs and fixtures
  • Safe operation/correct selection and application of a range of hand tools
  • Safe operation and operating principles of a range of complex workshop machinery
  • Set up and operate the machinery/equipment efficiently and effectively
  • Principles of how the relevant tools, dies, jigs and fixtures being manufactured/maintained function, the operating sequences, the purpose of individual components/systems and how they interact
  • Application of pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical and electronic systems as applied to various moulding, injection, pressing and similar associated machinery

Specific Specialist Skills

  • Read and interpret data and documentation used to produce and/or maintain tool and die components, assemblies and systems
  • Apply methods and techniques to produce, assemble, disassemble repair and/or maintain tools, dies, jigs and fixtures as applicable to the employer requirements
  • Manufacture components (such as tooling, dies, jigs and fixtures)
  • Undertake testing to confirm correct operation, and of the effectiveness of repairs and maintenance activities carried out
  • Undertake equipment/asset care and/or preventative planned maintenance processes and procedures
  • Carry out complex fault diagnosis and repair activities for the following technologies as applicable to the tool, die, jig and fixture environment
    • Maintaining mechanical equipment
    • Maintaining fluid and pneumatic power equipment
    • Maintaining electrical and electronic equipment
    • Maintaining process control equipment
  • Contribute to the business by identifying possible opportunities for improving working practices, processes and/or procedures
Additional Information

During your apprenticeship you will receive:

  • An induction to the programme to make you feel welcome and to help you understand how the apprenticeship works
  • Day release training at our Training Centre to help build your knowledge and skills
  • Training in the workplace to help you learn the job role and to become a valued member of the team
  • Regular progress reviews to help with your development and to ensure you remain on track to successfully complete your apprenticeship

The majority of your learning will be undertaken whilst you are working.  To successfully achieve the apprenticeship 20% of the teaching, learning and development will be undertaken through off-the-job training which takes place at our PETA Engineering Training Centre in Havant.