Pre Apprenticeship PEO

Course Structure

During the course, all students will complete six units of study, designed to build the skills and knowledge needed for a career in engineering. The first three units are mandatory, forming the essential foundation that every engineer needs, no matter which area of engineering they eventually specialise in.

These core units focus on the fundamental principles that underpin all engineering work. You’ll develop the key skills and understanding that engineers rely on every day, including working safely, carrying out engineering activities, and communicating technical information effectively.

A major focus of the course is safe working practices. You’ll learn how to work responsibly in engineering environments by understanding workshop rules, risk assessments, and safety procedures, helping you develop the habits expected in professional workplaces.

You’ll also learn how to plan and carry out engineering activities, following production plans and working to meet deadlines—just like in real engineering and manufacturing settings. This will help you build confidence in managing tasks and working efficiently.

Another key skill you’ll develop is communicating technical information. Engineers must be able to both understand and produce engineering drawings and technical documentation, allowing designs and ideas to be clearly shared with others.

Together, these units give you the core skills, knowledge, and professional awareness needed to succeed in engineering, forming a strong starting point for the rest of your studies and your future career

Unit 1: Fabrication and Welding applications

Get ready to step into the world of hands-on engineering. In this unit, you’ll develop the core skills needed for fabrication, assembly, and welding—the same practical techniques used every day in engineering workshops and manufacturing industries.

You’ll take part in a range of practical activities designed to help you understand how real engineering components are made and assembled. Along the way, you’ll learn about the equipment, tools, and manufacturing processes used in industry, as well as the safe working practices that engineers rely on in professional workshop environments.

Working with different materials, you’ll learn how to measure and mark out components accurately before shaping them using hand tools, portable power tools, and workshop machines. You’ll create a variety of forms and profiles and bring components together to produce complete assemblies. This will include using mechanical fasteners, self-secured joints, and thermal joining techniques such as welding.

As you work, you’ll also develop the skills needed to inspect and check the quality of your work using appropriate measuring equipment. You’ll learn how to identify when something isn’t meeting the required specification and how to troubleshoot and correct issues, ensuring that your finished work meets the expected standards.

By the end of the unit, you’ll have a strong understanding of fabrication, forming, assembly, and welding processes, along with the tools and equipment used to carry them out. Most importantly, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to apply these techniques safely and effectively, giving you a solid foundation for progressing into engineering, manufacturing, or further technical training.

Unit 2: CAD Modelling and CAD Systems

Get ready to bring your ideas to life in 3D. In this unit, you’ll develop the essential skills needed to use Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) to create detailed engineering models just like professionals in the engineering and manufacturing industries.

You’ll work from real-style design briefs where you might be asked to create a new model or modify an existing one. Your challenge will be to analyse the requirements, extract the important information, and turn those instructions into accurate digital designs. Along the way, you’ll learn how to choose the right CAD software and equipment depending on the complexity of the task.

Using powerful 3D modelling tools, you’ll design and build detailed models in a digital environment. You’ll also produce 2D and 3D prints or plots of your work, allowing you to see your designs take shape and develop skills that are widely used across engineering industries.

By the end of the unit, you’ll have a strong understanding of how CAD systems work, how engineers create and modify models, and the techniques used to produce professional engineering drawings. You’ll gain practical experience with the tools and processes used in real engineering environments, giving you the confidence and knowledge needed to move forward into engineering, manufacturing, or further technical study.

Unit 3: Machining, fitting and assembly

Step into the workshop and discover how engineers shape raw materials into precision components. In this unit, you’ll develop the essential hands-on skills used in machining, fitting, and assembly—core techniques that form the backbone of the engineering and manufacturing industries.

Through a series of practical workshop activities, you’ll learn how engineers turn designs into real parts. You’ll gain experience using a wide range of tools, machines, and manufacturing techniques, while also learning the safe working practices and operating procedures expected in professional engineering environments.

You’ll begin by learning how to measure and mark out materials accurately, preparing them for machining operations. From there, you’ll use hand tools, portable power tools, and machine tools to shape and produce components. Activities will include key engineering processes such as sawing, filing, drilling, turning, milling, and assembling parts into completed pieces.

As you work, you’ll also develop the ability to inspect and measure your components, using appropriate measuring equipment to check that your work meets the required tolerances and specifications. You’ll learn how to recognise when something isn’t quite right and how to identify and correct problems, ensuring your finished work meets professional standards. Just like in industry, you’ll also be expected to maintain an organised, safe, and tidy workspace, returning tools and equipment to their correct locations after use.

By the end of the unit, you’ll have a solid understanding of machining, fitting, and assembly processes and how they are applied in real engineering settings. You’ll also become familiar with the equipment, materials, and consumables used in the workshop. Most importantly, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to carry out these activities safely, accurately, and to the required specification, building a strong foundation for a future in engineering or manufacturing.

Assessment

All units are assessed against a set criteria. There is a holistic approach to assessment which involves a portfolio of evidence, witness testimonies and verbal questioning to measure knowledge and understanding of key principles.

Students must complete underpinning knowledge questions at the end of each unit (25-30 questions) as well as manufacture all parts within tolerance.

Entry Requirements