Engineering at Gloucestershire College
At Gloucestershire College we are passionate about nurturing engineers for the future and encouraging new talent into the industry.
We create effective partnerships with engineering and manufacturing companies, providing high-quality training and apprenticeships that work for the industry.
Recruiting now for September 2024 starts
Get in Touch and Discuss Your Business Needs
Our dedicated Employer Training & Apprenticeships team will provide you with full support in setting up your apprenticeship programme from recruitment right through to completion. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure your apprentices are supported, and learning the skills your business needs. Get in touch by filling in the form below or emailing employer.training@gloscol.ac.uk
Explore our Engineering Apprenticeship Programmes
We have a wide range of Engineering training and apprenticeship programmes from Level 3 right through to degree level. We can work with you to discover the right programmes for your organisation.
Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineering Level 6
This apprenticeship is suitable for engineers working in a wide range of sectors to rely on embedded systems design including telecommunications, information and computer technology, defence, energy (including renewables), transport and consumer electronics.
Ideal for: Hardware Engineer, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer, Design Engineer.
Core areas include:
- Professional engineering skills
- Electrical circuit theory
- Analogue and digital design techniques
- Fundamentals of structured software design
- Structured programming for embedded software
- Mathematical modelling techniques for circuit design
- Embedded software development
- Thermal management
Machining Technician Level 3
The apprenticeship is aimed at new or existing employees who want to gain Machining skills and qualifications. Machining technicians produce complex and precision machined products that are typically used in machinery.
Ideal for: Machinist, CNC Machinist, Programmer, CNC Setter/Machinist
Duration: 42 months + 6 months for End Point Assessment
Core areas include:
- Understanding mathematical techniques involved in the machining processes such as speeds and feeds, calculating angles/tapers, material removal
- Understanding the work holding devices, cutting tools, and setting up procedures to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring the work output is to the required specification
- Producing complex and specialist components as a one-off test and trial work piece and/or producing components in small or large batches
- Contributing to the business by identifying possible opportunities for improving working practices, processes and/or procedures
Engineering Technician (Technical Support) Electrical Level 3
Technical Support Technicians, work as part of a team to provide technical support and expertise for all areas of the Engineering and Manufacturing function.
Ideal for: Electronics Engineer, Software/Hardware Engineer, Electronic Design Engineer, Electrical/Electronic Technician
Duration: 42 months + 3 months for End Point Assessment
Core areas include:
- Maintaining electronic equipment and systems
- Producing drawings using a CAD system
- Conducting business improvement activities
- Wiring and testing programmable controller based systems
- Features and applications of electrical machines
- Assembling and testing electronic circuits
- Monitoring and fault diagnosis
- Mathematics for engineering technicians
Engineering Technician (Technical Support) Mechanical Level 3
Technical Support Technicians, work as part of a team to provide technical support and expertise for all areas of the Engineering and Manufacturing function.
Duration: 42 months + 6 months for End Point Assessment
Core areas include:
- Producing components
- Using lathes
- Milling
- Maths and Science
- CAD systems
- Working in an engineering environment
- Undertaking engineering techniques
Who can become an apprentice?
Businesses are progressively adopting apprenticeships for both their new and existing employees; realising their significance in tackling skill deficiencies, infusing novel perspectives, promoting diversity, and bolstering employee retention.
With no upper age limit, anyone can become an apprentice, from junior members of staff to senior managers and company directors.
Apprenticeships are an affordable staff training option
Whether you're a levy payer or not, employees aged 16-18 are fully funded by the government and you'll receive a £1,000 grant.
For levy payers:
All employers with a wage bill of over £3 million per annum are required to pay 0.5% of their total wage bill into the Apprenticeship Levy. The Levy can be used to train new and existing staff through Apprenticeship Training. At the end of the financial year, the levy resets - so use it or lose it.
For non-levy payers:
Non-levy payers can take advantage of Government funding with 95% of course costs funded. You'll only need to contribute 5% to the cost of apprenticeship training.
Engineering Facilities
Our engineering facilities in Gloucester and Cheltenham are well equipped, ensuring a learning experience that covers all aspects of industry training, from practical skills to theory, including advanced engineering maths, materials science, and project planning.
Watch the video to take a look at our industry-standard facilities.
Mechanical Engineering Workshops
Our Gloucester campus features practical mechanical engineering facilities, including large workshops equipped with conventional manual machines like lathes and milling machines. Additionally, we provide a variety of inspection and measuring equipment including a coordinate measuring machine. Our Computer Numerical Control (CNC) workshop houses 5 CNC machines and teaching controllers.
The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) classrooms are dedicated to teaching 2D drawing and 3D visualisation, complemented by 3D printing capabilities.
With our mechanical engineering facilities and expert teaching team, we offer a wide range of skills training, from basic hand fitting to advanced machining techniques.
Electronic Engineering Laboratories
Our electronic engineering laboratories in Cheltenham assist our engineering students in the study, design, development, and application of electrical and electronic systems, components, and devices.
Equipped with a range of test and measurement equipment, electronic Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing facilities, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), and Mechatronics systems, these facilities play an important role in training Level 3 full-time students and apprentices, as well as Embedded Electronics degree apprentices, and they also will cater to the revised Level 4 HNC qualifications.
