Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative Apprenticeship
Subject Area
Engineering & Science
Student Type
Apprenticeships
Study Mode
Part Time
What is the apprenticeship about?
Throughout this apprenticeship you will be required to prepare, control, contribute to, and complete manufacturing operations, as well as following manufacturing processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs), whilst adhering to specific safe working policies and procedures.
A lean manufacturing operative will be responsible for maintaining health and safety requirements at all times, such as wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), correct use of equipment and tooling, safe stopping and resetting of machinery, maintaining an organised work area (including 5s- sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span and sustain), ensuring the safe disposal of waste in line with environmental systems, and adhering to regulatory requirements (ISO 14001).
You will be required to contribute to, develop, and support improvement in the manufacturing operation using continuous improvement methods, kaizen tools, process visualisation using lean principles, and problem-solving tools and techniques. You will be responsible for carrying out quality checks throughout the manufacturing operations to ensure quality is built in and that any defects or concerns are highlighted and dealt with in line with relevant quality standards.
Why should I choose this apprenticeship?
The manufacturing industry offers exciting and varied careers both in the UK and abroad, providing a broad spectrum of employment opportunities within a technically advanced and innovative environment.
Businesses within the sector range from small family-run manufacturing operations to large multi-national companies driving the country’s growth and wealth.
The UK’s manufacturing industry is highly regarded worldwide for its innovation and manufacturing excellence. The sector requires a high degree of skill and knowledge across all levels of its organisations.
As a lean manufacturing operative, you will be expected to carry out your work safely whilst meeting exacting quality standards. You will work in a fast paced and efficient processing environment, developing into a multi-skilled operator through process ownership.
A lean manufacturing operative can be required to carry out manufacturing activities on multiple products with different specifications consecutively. For example, in automotive manufacturing you may work with models of vehicle with different specification variants within a high-volume environment.
What will I learn?
Core knowledge: a lean manufacturing operative will have the following knowledge and understanding:
- Health and safety: relevant statutory, organisational and health and safety regulations relating to lean manufacturing operations and safe practices
- Environmental: compliance procedures/systems in line with regulatory requirements e.g., ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards
- Production: the individual roles and responsibilities within the organisation and the flexibility required to deliver products to meet customers’ costs/delivery targets/requirements e.g., Just in time (JIT)
- Lean manufacturing operations: manufacturing standard operation procedures (SOPs) and adherence and development of lean processes
- Quality control: process equipment monitoring, data collection, error proofing, and operating procedures e.g., ISO 9002 or other relevant quality standards
- Problem-solving: the tools and methods of effective problem-solving using data, reports, and documents to resolve production related issues e.g., A3 report, graphs, matrices, and escalate concerns
- Continuous improvement: how to study and identify ways to improve the safety, quality, cost or process efficiency using lean manufacturing tools e.g., kaizen
- Communication: how to share information using a range of methods within the manufacturing environment e.g., oral, written, electronic, information boards, visual displays
Workplace organisation: how to maintain a safe and efficient work site through workplace organisation e.g., 5s and process ownership.
How is the apprenticeship delivered?
This apprenticeship is delivered over three years. In your first year, you will typically attend college for two days per week (day release). In your second and third years, you will attend college for one day per week.
You will normally work around 30 hours per week with your employer, and no more than 40 hours if you are under 18. This includes any training time at college (off-the-job training) as well as on-the-job training with your employer.
What will the apprenticeship lead on to?
This apprenticeship is delivered over three years. In your first year, you will typically attend college for two days per week (day release). In your second and third years, you will attend college for one day per week.
You will normally work around 30 hours per week with your employer, and no more than 40 hours if you are under 18. This includes any training time at college (off-the-job training) as well as on-the-job training with your employer.
Are there any links with industry and university?
After completing this apprenticeship, you may wish to progress on to a level 3 engineering apprenticeship to develop your skills further.
What support is available?
You will be allocated a designated apprentice coach to guide you through your apprenticeship. We also have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if it is required, and a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support, and help when needed. For further information on student support please visit: https://www.wvr.ac.uk/college-life/student-support/
Why should I choose to study this apprenticeship with Warrington & Vale Royal College?
We are one of the top-performing further education colleges for apprenticeships. Over nine in ten of our apprentices continue in employment or receive a promotion once they have completed their apprenticeship. We also have a dedicated apprenticeship matching service which matches your skills to a suitable apprenticeship employer. The college is dedicated to supporting you on-programme and helping you progress on to the next step.
What are the entry requirements?
Entry requirements for this apprenticeship programme are GCSE grades 9-4 in English and maths, or the equivalent level 2 functional skills qualifications. We will consider those who need to resit either an English or maths qualification, however those that need to resit both will not meet the entry requirements for this apprenticeship programme.
If you are required to resit either English or maths, you will be invited to undertake an initial assessment. If deemed suitable, you must be willing to achieve your level 2 English/maths qualification before the end of the apprenticeship programme as part of your study.
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