People who are following or would like to follow a career in an engineering discipline with a plant or plant hire company. This would involve working outside in all weathers as well as in a workshop. Plant maintenance can be challenging and involve working at heights and in awkward places.
The Plant Maintenance course has been designed in close consultation with the plant industry and is offered as part of the Apprenticeship programme. The Plant Maintenance course aims to give apprentices a wide range of engineering knowledge and understanding beyond that required to achieve a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ). It covers subjects from bench fitting and basic engineering skills to the latest technological advancements in electro-hydraulics and computerised control systems.
Course content
All the Apprentice Plant Maintenance courses follow a proven format in the first training block, covering basic engineering subjects common to all plant maintenance disciplines.
Induction Programme
- Mandatory subject
- Fire fighting
- Manual handling
- COSHH
Practical training
- Bench fitting/engineering skills/technical drawing
- Materials and measurements
- Servicing techniques and procedures
- Basic electrics
- Braking systems
- Lifting equipment and procedures
- Fuels/lubricants/consumables
- Welding/brazing/soldering
- CI and SI power units and associated systems
Subjects specific to General Plant Mechanics
- Multi-cylinder power units
- Transmissions
- Hydraulics
- Air brake systems
- Steering and suspension systems
- Tracks/wheels/tyres
- Auxiliary plant
- Compressors, air tools and pneumatics
- Testing and diagnostic procedures
- Functional and operating procedures
Entry requirements
The recommended entry qualifications are four GCSEs at level D or higher. However, all candidates will be required to complete a Skills Learning exercise, and some will need to attend the college for further tests to determine their suitability and achievement potential.
Training methods
- Practical/hands on
- Classroom/tutorials
Methods of assessment
- College and on-site assessment
Qualification/Certification
- Apprenticeship – Plant Mechanics
- Advanced Apprenticeship – Plant Mechanics
- SVQ Level 2 – Plant Maintenance (Specified Discipline)
- SVQ Level 3 – Plant Maintenance (Specified Discipline)
- First Aid certificate
- Fire fighting
- Health and Safety test
- Manual Handling
- Abrasive Wheels
Where to next?
Apprentices can go on to achieve SVQ Plant Maintenance Supervisory/Management qualifications.
This apprenticeship is available through the following campus:
NNC Scotland (Glasgow)
Year 1: 17 weeks
Year 2: 17 weeks on-site WBA
The remaining part of the programme is spent on-site with the apprentice’s employer to gain work experience.
For details of our apprenticeship programmes call 0844 8440409
For apprenticeship recruitment enquiries call 0844 8440043
To find out more about this apprenticeship download the training programme (328kb PDF file).
