Construction Equipment Maintenance Mechanic (Construction Plant Maintenance) Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard

This occupation is found in the construction, plant and tool hire industry as well as allied industries such as rail plant, demolition and quarrying that use construction-based equipment. The broad purpose of the occupation is to service, maintain and repair the wide range of construction-based equipment used within the construction and allied industries such as mobile cranes, excavators, disc cutters, crushers, demolition plant, road-rail equipment, water pumps, telescopic handlers etc. so that they function correctly, safely and efficiently, allowing construction and other projects to be carried out efficiently and on time. This occupation provides a vital support service that is crucial to the prosperity of the country through completion of vital infrastructure projects such a (nuclear) power generation, roads, rail, airports etc.

The construction equipment mechanic checks, services and undertakes basic fault finding activities and will either through their own fault-finding activities or through given instructions, remove, dismantle, repair, assemble and refit a plethora of components, and ensure that the item of plant is fully functional prior to handover to the operational side.

Construction equipment mechanics work not just within construction but also work in other areas including quarrying, demolition, utilities (water/gas/electric etc.), piling, rail, waste/landfill, housing, highways etc... In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with customers, members of the public, supervisors, co-workers, other trades/occupations, supporting occupations, managers, suppliers, safety professionals, manufacturers, administration staff. The mechanic can be mobile, working on-site on a national basis and/or workshop-based undertaking maintenance activities in all weathers. This may include working on their own although subject to overall guidance and direction by others. The work can include weekend and night work to cover breakdowns on roadworks, rail maintenance projects etc.

Construction related environments including site-based, mobile, workshop based in and outdoors in all seasons.. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring they have the right tools and resources such as oils, lubricants and parts for each task. They analyse problems or defects, identify any repair issues and undertake maintenance tasks whilst applying the correct manufacturer’s technical information required and in conformance with legislative requirements. They work under generic supervision either within a workshop or on site but are expected to be both autonomous and the technical focal point during any maintenance activity.

The apprentice will typically spend 24 months on-programme working towards the apprenticeship standard, with a minimum of 20% of this time being spent in off-the-job training.

The apprenticeship will cover a broad range of topics to provide you with the knowledge and skills required including:

• Workplace procedures, health and safety, industry regulations and legislation relevant to role of Service Engineer
• The operating principles of machinery, plant and equipment within the land-based service engineering sector
• How to conduct basic service, maintenance and repairs on including how to access and interpret technical data relating to the machinery, selecting and applying appropriate tools and equipment, and methods of thermally and chemically joining metals and components
• How to record information, maintain accurate customer service records and communicate with customers and colleagues using verbal and handwritten methods whilst observing customer care practices
• How to handover machinery, plant and equipment to the control and use of others in the workplace

Typical job roles include:

LBSE Service Engineers will typically work on the employers premises under supervision and where appropriate and safe to do so work on their own initiative. They work on a diverse range of tasks and machinery, plant and equipment specific to their sector within the land-based engineering industry. For example these may include:

• Preparation of new and second-hand machinery for sale or hire
• Pre-delivery inspection of machinery carried out in accordance with manufacturer’s and employer’s procedures
• Performing routine service and maintenance operations in accordance with manufacturer’s schedules and employer’s instructions
• The preparation of equipment for repair for example, cleaning, dismantling and reassembly of machinery and their component parts, this may be carried out under supervision or in accordance with procedures or written briefs
• Conducting routine machine operation and systems testing.
• Handing over machinery plant and equipment to the control and use of others in the workplace. For example a senior technician.

A minimum expectation of GCSE Grade 2's in English and maths or equivalent.

Your progress is continually monitored throughout the course. Assessments are arranged when necessary and these take place on-the-job.

Assessments will include:

During your programme you will produce a log of progression to evidence your apprenticeship learning journey. You will gather evidence including records of reviews with your employer and assessor which comment on your personal behaviours, strengths and weaknesses and progress made towards the apprenticeship standards.

Once you have completed your programme, met all of the pre-requisites for the EPA, including English and maths requirements, and your employer is satisfied that you are consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard, you will be put through for your End Point Assessment which are to be completed within a 5 month period.

The EPA consists of 3 distinct elements which are to be completed in the order below:

• Online Knowledge Test
• Practical Tasks
• Professional Interview

While you are on an apprenticeship your employer pays you a salary and supports you whilst you undertake your training.