Automation and Controls Engineering Technician

Automation and Controls Engineering Technician

You’ll help install and maintain hardware and software for automation systems on the automation and controls engineering technician apprenticeship course.

Automation and controls engineering experts operate in various sectors, including automotive, food and beverage, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and construction.

It serves two purposes. In a manufacturing, logistics, or utility environment, you will install, maintain, repair, and optimise hardware and software for automation systems.

Whether you work for a service provider, original equipment manufacturer, or authorised solutions provider, you will cooperate with the vendor and its customer to deliver high-quality engineering services such as installation, commissioning, faultfinding, and support.

You’ll work on a wide range of hardware in both roles, including programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, robotics, and industrial networks.

The use of physical tools, software tools, and instruments is required for building, installing, and maintaining automation systems.

What you’ll learn

On an automation and controls engineering technician apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Work safely in an industrial environment and provide required risk assessment/method statement documentation. Knowledge of functional machinery and/or process safety principles, including SIL (Safety Integrated Level) and PL (Performance Level) terminology.
  • Install, commission, shut down, restart, and maintain a wide range of systems and devices are all possible.
  • Detect, diagnose, repair, and report faults in automation control systems and control applications utilising formal problem-solving methods and diagnostic tools/software
  • Configure, calibrate, and commission a wide variety of field-level equipment that communicates with automation and control systems.
  • Configure, assist with commissioning, and offer continuing support for industrial network solutions at all hierarchical levels of control system integration using the appropriate tools and/or software.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • Depending on the employer, but likely A-levels or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience for a higher apprenticeship.
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises two distinct assessment methods: 

  • Project, Report and Presentation with Questioning
  • Occupational Professional Discussion

Duration, level, subjects and

  • Duration: 48 months
  • Level: 4 – Higher Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: ICT and engineering
  • Potential salary upon completion: £29,000 per annum

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 4 Automation and Controls Engineering Technician Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 21, 2024

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