Position Details

Engineering Department

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is £19,495 per annum, with progression to £24,368 per annum after 12 months in post. 

Apprentice Grade 3

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2028, commencing September 2024.

Closing date: 7 July 2024

Apprenticeship Standard:

Training Provider: 

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the 

Background

The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant City, offering an inspiring education to our students, and undertaking critically important research. We are a place of open, critical thinking, and the creation, sharing and dissemination of knowledge. Professional Services put students at the heart of all they do and enable an exceptional educational experience. They provide outstanding support to our researchers and help the University to grow its influence regionally, nationally, and globally. They ensure the University’s resources are used wisely, manage and improve the infrastructure which sits at the heart of the institution, and support decisions to be made quickly and based on sound evidence. Our operates across the University, supporting colleagues to network and collaborate, offering opportunities to learn and develop, contributing to the delivery of the University’s objectives, and helping everyone to understand the broader context within which we work. 

Apprenticeship context

The School of Engineering is developing and supporting the next generation of engineers to lead the response to the key societal challenges of the 21st century. This is through producing world-leading research that is impactful for industry and wider society and which addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They work with public and private sector in order to influence decision-making and help shape the future infrastructure of the UK and wider world.

Apprenticeship summary

The apprentice will have a fantastic opportunity to be involved in teaching and research across the School of Engineering where you will learn to perform technical support duties and be trained in the use of a range equipment and techniques, under the day-to-day supervision of experienced technical staff as designated by the technical managers. You will attend college block release with Make UK. 

Make UK

The first year is block release at the college with 13 catch up weeks at the University, the second year will consist of day release at Make with the 3-4th years following a pre-determined programme of formal training with the University towards your End Point Assessment.

University of Birmingham

While in the School of Engineering the post holder will be given the opportunity to cement their learning from Make with a program that will involve working alongside experienced technicians across the school of Engineering, learning techniques and processes that can work towards the End Point Assessment.

There will be the opportunity to undertake specialist courses, tailored towards a technician in engineering.

You will also get the chance to be involved in the varied program of activities both on and off campus run by the Universities apprenticeship team, with regular opportunities to mix with other apprentices from across the University.

During this apprenticeship you will learn to:

Carry out specified techniques, tests or experiments as directed;  Identify simple problems and resolve and recognise when to refer issues to your manager; Maintain accurate records and draft routine documentation related to your duties; Ensure the health, safety and cleanliness of immediate work area, by encouraging staff and students to comply with all basic University / College Health & Safety policies and reporting any issues to your line manager, technical manager, laboratory manager or College Safety Advisor as appropriate; Confirm that all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date; Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate and ensuring records are maintained; Report any breaches or non-compliance with health and safety procedures to the Line Manager, Technical Manager, Laboratory Manager or College Safety Advisor; Ensuring waste disposal is carried out correctly for laboratory, recycled and general waste; Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures; Assisting with stock level control and informing Line Manager when replacements are required; Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents; Reporting any problems with equipment or services to the line manager or colleague as appropriate; You will treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality and valuing diversity;  You will complete any other duties as may be reasonably required by either the Line Manager or Technical Managers. Engage fully with the University of Birmingham apprenticeship scheme, attending mandatory group days and contributing to the successful promotion of the scheme by representing your department in a positive manner.

This apprenticeship would suit:

This post would suit someone with a keen interest in engineering who is looking to develop a career as a technician at one of the UKs leading Universities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

At least 5 GCSEs (A*- C / 4-9 or equivalent) including Mathematics, English and preferably Physics. An enthusiastic, flexible and keen learner who is reliable and dedicated to an apprenticeship. Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others. Ability to organise and manage own work load after consultation with supervisor and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements. Ability to work as part of a team.  Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area. Basic understating of commonly used software packages. An enquiring mind with an aptitude to solve mechanical problems.

Apprenticeship Standard

You will be working towards – 167, Technical Support Technician – L3. This will include:

Foundation skills and technical knowledge Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Foundation Competence) Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Technical Support Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)