Semta
Apprenticeships
Semta is responsible for developing and issuing apprenticeship frameworks in the engineering, manufacturing and science sectors.
We set out the components that apprenticeships need to contain at each level and the standards apprentices need to reach to achieve certification and progression.
To find out what frameworks are available in England and Wales click here, in Scotland click here, in Northern Ireland click here, visit our Semta Apprenticeship Service pages or for further information please contact Semta Customer Services on 0845 643 9001 or customerservices@semta.org.uk.
If you require registration or certification forms or guidance, please click here.
If you need help in recruiting, training or funding apprenticeships, then please click here.
NEW: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Higher Apprenticeship Framework
The Higher Apprenticeship framework for Advanced Manufacturing at Level 4 has been designed to provide the manufacturing and engineering sector in England with high grade technicians and engineers who have practical skills, combined with a higher education qualification. The programme will facilitate progression to Level 5/6 qualifications and enable apprentices to work towards Incorporated Engineer status.
Click here to watch a video to see how employers have been involved in the framework development.
There are currently seven pathways in this framework covering a wide range of job roles in advanced manufacturing and engineering and which broadly fit into the higher-level skills requirements for the following sectors:
• aerospace
• nuclear
• mechanical
• electrical / electronics
• automotive
• maintenance
• wind turbines
The competence and knowledge qualifications in this framework contribute to general competence as measured in the Engineering Council’s UK specification and is endorsed by IMechE, IET and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAes).
And in Wales a pilot apprenticeship programme to help close the skills gap in engineering and advanced manufacturing has been launched.
The Higher Apprenticeship framework for Advanced Manufacturing at Level 4 has been designed to provide the manufacturing and engineering sector in Wales with high grade technicians and engineers who have practical skills, combined with a higher education qualification. It has been developed because there are around 400 vacancies per year with employers reporting a quarter of these being hard to fill as applicants did not have the required technical and practical skills. In addition, the workforce is ageing and 3,400 higher-level technical workers are required by 2016 just to replace those retiring.
The new framework will provide the sector with high grade technicians and engineers at level 4/5 who will have practical skills, combined with a higher education qualification. It will also provide an accelerated route for employees who need a blend of practical competence as well as high level academic knowledge and who have recently completed an Engineering Modern Apprenticeship, or are ready for a promotion.
Employers are supporting these higher apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing because it provides a cost effective, comprehensive package of qualifications, rather than using stand alone qualifications, which can lead to Incorporated Engineer status to meet their higher level skills needs.