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L6Apprenticeship91 approved provider
The Level 6 Control systems engineer (degree), and the 1 provider delivering it.
Assuring that manufacturing runs smoothly in areas such as site maintenance.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices develop the technical and project leadership skills needed to design, maintain, and optimise control systems across automated and process manufacturing environments. The programme covers PLC programming, HMI configuration, industrial networking protocols such as Profibus and Profinet, PID algorithms, and instrumentation calibration. Apprentices also build knowledge of hazardous area working, cyber security requirements, control system life-cycle management, and structured problem-solving methods including FMEA and DMAIC. By the end, they are equipped to lead projects, conduct complex fault-finding, and drive continuous improvement independently.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Much of the work is plant-based. Apprentices will configure and test PLCs and HMIs, diagnose faults in electrical and fluid power systems, and calibrate instrumentation before commissioning. They produce technical documentation including schematic diagrams, fault reports, and project plans, and use statistical analysis to monitor system reliability. They work within multi-disciplinary teams alongside manufacturing, quality, and design engineers, sometimes leading project or maintenance teams. Some monitoring is done remotely via digital or GPRS-based systems. Office time is spent on reporting, risk assessments, and project planning.
Career outlook
Completers typically move into roles such as control system engineer, process control engineer, or controls technical support engineer. From there, progression often leads to senior engineering positions, engineering management, or specialist consultancy. Employers span aerospace, automotive, maritime, defence, oil and gas, logistics, and wider process and product manufacturing. Both large original equipment manufacturers and small to medium systems integrators hire at this level. The degree-level qualification also supports Incorporated Engineer registration and further professional development through bodies such as the IET.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Blackpool and The Fylde College
Employer: 4.0
Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) offers a wide range of technical and professional education o...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completers typically step into roles such as Control Systems Engineer, Process Control Engineer, or Controls Technical Support Engineer. Day-to-day work spans PLC and HMI programming, fault diagnosis, commissioning of new or modified systems, and supporting planned maintenance shutdowns. The degree-level grounding means graduates are expected to work with considerable autonomy from the outset, producing technical documentation, leading risk assessments, and managing small project workloads without close supervision.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, engineers commonly move into Senior Control Systems Engineer or Lead Automation Engineer positions, taking ownership of larger capital projects or site-wide control system improvement programmes. Beyond that, two distinct tracks open up. The leadership track leads toward Engineering Manager, Project Manager, or OT (Operational Technology) Manager roles. The specialist track moves toward Principal Engineer, Systems Architect, or Functional Safety Engineer, particularly for those who develop expertise in safety-instrumented systems or industrial cybersecurity.
Where these roles sit
Hiring spans a wide range of industries: oil and gas processing, chemicals, food and beverage manufacturing, automotive and aerospace production, water treatment, and maritime defence. Employers include large processing plants and production facilities, systems integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and specialist technical consultancies. Both the public sector (defence, utilities, water authorities) and private sector recruit at this level, and roles exist across large multinationals and small to medium engineering businesses alike.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place alongside employment, with the apprentice applying knowledge and skills directly in their engineering role throughout the programme. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check, commonly called the gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the required standard across the knowledge, skills and behaviours for the occupation. Final assessment then determines whether the apprentice can perform the full role competently and independently. Assessment methods for degree apprenticeships at this level typically include academic and work-based elements. Many standards are currently being updated as part of wider apprenticeship reforms, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Gathering evidence of real workplace activity from the start of the programme puts learners in a far stronger position than trying to reconstruct it later. This means keeping records of projects managed, fault-finding activities undertaken, systems programmed or commissioned, and any leadership or continuous improvement work carried out. Regular reviews with both the employer and the training provider help track progress against the required knowledge, skills and behaviours, and identify any gaps well before the gateway. Good record keeping throughout the programme, rather than close to the end, makes the final assessment process considerably more straightforward.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with achievement rates above 65% and strong employer satisfaction scores on their FATP profile, bearing in mind this is a demanding degree-level programme with a 42-month commitment. Beyond the headline numbers, a good provider will have tutors with direct industry background in PLC programming, industrial networking and process control, not just general engineering. Ask to see how the curriculum covers current protocols such as Profibus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP and HART, alongside cybersecurity for operational technology. Providers with established employer partnerships across aerospace, oil and gas, or manufacturing sectors are better placed to support the varied site-based context this role demands.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider has high learner volumes but a declining or opaque achievement rate, particularly for degree apprenticeships where attrition in years two and three is a real risk. Providers who cannot describe how off-the-job training connects to live control system environments, or who rely entirely on classroom simulation without access to physical PLCs, HMIs or industrial network equipment, are likely to underserve apprentices. Vague answers about how the degree component is delivered, or whether the provider holds the degree-awarding element in-house or subcontracts it, are worth pressing on.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What industrial networking protocols and PLC platforms does the curriculum cover, and when were the course materials last updated?
- Do apprentices get hands-on time with physical control system hardware, including HMIs, instrumentation and industrial communication buses?
- How do you handle the integration between the degree academic content and workplace projects, specifically the control system lifecycle from design through to commissioning?
- What is your achievement rate for this standard, and how does that break down by year of study?
- Can you point to apprentices who have completed this programme and moved into control systems engineer or process control engineer roles?
- How do you support apprentices working across different sectors, for example one based in a process plant and another in a discrete manufacturing environment?
- What is the typical cohort size, and how much direct tutor contact do apprentices receive each term?
Common questions
What entry requirements does an employer or learner need to meet for this apprenticeship?
Employers set their own entry criteria, but candidates typically need strong GCSE grades in maths and science, plus A-levels or equivalent qualifications in engineering, mathematics or a related subject. Some employers accept candidates with relevant industry experience or a higher national certificate instead of A-levels. Because this is a degree-level programme, the training provider will also apply its own academic entry criteria, so it is worth checking directly with shortlisted providers before hiring or applying.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how is learning structured around the job?
The typical duration is 42 months. The apprentice is employed throughout and applies learning directly in the workplace. Off-the-job training is built into the programme alongside day-to-day duties. The specific time commitment and off-the-job training requirements are subject to change under current Skills England reforms, so check the latest version of the standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) page at gov.uk before confirming arrangements with your training provider.
How is the apprentice assessed at the end of the programme?
Before sitting end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer confirms they have met all occupational duties and the training provider confirms academic requirements are satisfied. The apprentice must then demonstrate competence against the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the standard. Assessment models for many degree apprenticeships are currently being reviewed, so refer to the current assessment plan on gov.uk for the precise methods and grading criteria that apply.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which is the maximum government contribution toward training and assessment costs. Levy-paying employers draw this from their digital apprenticeship service account. Non-levy employers co-invest with the government, currently contributing a small percentage of costs while the government funds the rest. Employers with fewer than 50 employees who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing; the government covers the full training cost. Wages are paid by the employer and are separate from the funding band.
What does a control systems engineer apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work varies by sector and employer, but typically includes configuring and maintaining programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces and industrial networks; carrying out fault-finding on automated plant equipment; supporting commissioning and testing activities; and producing technical documentation such as fault reports and schematic diagrams. The apprentice works within a multi-disciplinary team alongside design, manufacturing and production engineers, and increasingly takes on project leadership responsibilities as competence grows. Some roles are plant-based; others involve fieldwork or remote monitoring.
What can a control systems engineer do after completing the apprenticeship?
Typical job titles on completion include control system engineer, process control engineer and controls technical support engineer. From there, progression routes include senior or principal engineer roles, project management positions, and technical authority or consultancy work. Some completers move into chartered engineer status through a relevant professional engineering institution. The degree qualification also opens routes to further postgraduate study if that suits the individual's ambitions or the employer's development plans.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 9.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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