Process Industry Manufacturing Technicians
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has approved the new standard for Process Industry Manufacturing Technicians, a new three-year apprenticeship developed from the existing Science Manufacturing Technician standard.
However, this will meet the specific needs of the process industry and has been designed by chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas companies, along with continued engagement with training providers and trade associations.
The new standard will support the development of technicians in a range of industries and ensure the right level of training and competence is gained for this highly-regulated industry, which needs skilled individuals to work with complex processing operations.
Work has also been undertaken to ensure that this standard would be suitable for hydrogen production technicians which supports our transition to low carbon technologies on the journey to net zero. The standard has been awarded a maximum funding band of £24,000 to cover the costs of the apprenticeship programme.
Neil Burke, Operations EHS Compliance Manager at FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and chair of the trailblazer group, said: “I am pleased to see the new standard approved and assigned a funding band. The development process has been complex, but we hope that now providers can continue their preparation to deliver this new standard and continue to train high-quality technicians.”
Science Manufacturing Technician
Additionally, an updated version of Science Manufacturing Technician standard designed for aseptic and biotechnology manufacturing has been approved, increasing the options for apprenticeships in the pharmaceuticals industry.
IfATE approved the new standard, which has been awarded a maximum funding band of £22,000 to cover the costs of the apprenticeship programme.
The new standard will support the development of technicians across biotechnology, aseptic pharmaceutical businesses and the NHS. It will ensure the right level of training and competence is gained for highly-regulated companies, which need skilled staff to work with complex operations in ever-evolving industries.
Neil Burke added: “This completes a complex process to design the right standard for the pharmaceutical industry – which is crucial to ensuring the right level of knowledge is delivered to train highly-skilled technicians in this area.”
Process industry manufacturing technician (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education)
Science Manufacturing Technician 2023 (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education)
