MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING at Canterbury Christ Church University

The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship at Canterbury Christ Church University is a unique and inclusive learning opportunity, co-designed with local industry, to equip apprentices with the knowledge, understanding and skills to take on the role of Manufacturing Engineer. To apply for this apprenticeship, you will need to be employed full-time (30+ hours per week) in a relevant role and have the support of your employer.

Manufacturing engineers deal with leading-edge technology, e.g. product/part design, new materials, precision, mass production to bespoke production line. Manufacturing engineer apprentices will work with the company team from sales to shop floor, depending on the size of the organisation. Manufacturing engineers ensure systems meet demand, are reliable, are integrated and ensure smooth production operations. The apprenticeship degree will provide learning to support you with your responsibilities in your role, i.e. keep manufacturing services fit-for-purpose for example:

• programming, installation, and maintenance of the automated machinery (Computer-assisted process and control engineering) ensuring efficient use energy
• overseeing the flow of raw materials into a factory and through the production lines (Enterprise resource planning) ensuring product quality, reliability and output levels
• logistic solutions to inventory or to the customer’s site (Environmental protection, safety, and handling of hazardous materials).

Why study Manufacturing Engineer

This course is available to applicants via an apprenticeship scheme. The aim of the apprenticeship is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of manufacture engineering. It integrates academic learning at degree level with your full-time work experience. As you are employed as an apprentice throughout the programme, you will apply what you learn in the classroom to real-industry situations. At the same time, you will bring real industry challenges into the classroom to help develop a deeper understanding of manufacture engineering.

What will i study?

The apprenticeship degree includes a 3-year taught work/study programme with an additional 6 months set aside for completing the compulsory End Point Assessment (EPA). As part of the apprenticeship standard requirements, you are required to have 20% of your working week dedicated to off-job apprenticeship learning (1 day in 5).

Each academic year consists of 120 credits of study, typically 40 credits per trimester. Each trimester is 15 weeks, and consists of:

• 10 weeks of 1 day a week off-the-job in class studying at Canterbury Christ Church Campus or partner institution
• 5 weeks of 1 day off-the job degree assessment and/or directed/self-study activities.

Our Engineering Apprenticeships adopt the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate) engineering education model, developed by the MIT. CDIO has been shown to develop and produce ‘industry-ready’ engineers and will assist in producing the right engineers for the local economy.