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L6Apprenticeship101 approved provider
The Level 6 Electrical and electronic engineer (degree), and the 1 provider delivering it.
Supporting the manufacturing of new products by bringing the product to life and resolving manufacturing problems.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
This degree-level apprenticeship develops the skills to design, develop, and maintain electrical and electronic systems used in manufacturing environments. Apprentices learn to apply engineering principles to bring new products from concept through to production, troubleshoot faults in electronic assemblies, and resolve technical problems that arise on the manufacturing floor. The programme combines academic study at degree level with hands-on engineering work, covering areas such as circuit design, control systems, signal processing, and quality assurance processes.
Day-to-day responsibilities
On a typical week, an apprentice might review product schematics, test prototype assemblies, and work alongside production teams to identify and fix manufacturing faults. They will use diagnostic equipment and CAD or PCB design tools, write technical reports, and contribute to engineering change requests. Collaboration with quality, procurement, and production colleagues is routine, as is documenting findings and feeding back into design improvements to reduce defects or improve yield on the production line.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as Electrical Engineer, Electronics Engineer, or Manufacturing Engineer at a professional level. Many graduates progress into senior engineering positions, technical specialist roles, or project management within a few years. Employers span a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, defence, consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial automation. The degree qualification also provides a foundation for Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration with a relevant professional engineering institution, supporting longer-term career development.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Cheshire College – South & West
Employer: 2.0
Cheshire College – South & West offers apprenticeship and further education opportunities across its...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Graduates of this apprenticeship typically move into roles such as Electrical Design Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, or Manufacturing Engineer within their sponsoring organisation or a similar employer. Some move into Test Engineer or Product Development Engineer positions, particularly where the apprenticeship has included hands-on product realisation work. The exact title depends on the sector, but the expectation is independent engineering work from day one rather than a junior support role.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, engineers typically progress to Senior Electrical Engineer, Lead Electronics Engineer, or Systems Engineer, taking ownership of projects and sometimes line-managing graduate or apprentice engineers beneath them. Beyond that, the paths split: a technical specialist track leads toward Principal Engineer or Chief Engineer roles, while a broader leadership track can lead to Engineering Manager, Head of Engineering, or Operations Director. Chartered Engineer status with the IET or IMarEST is a common goal at this stage.
Where these roles sit
Defence contractors, aerospace manufacturers, automotive OEMs and their Tier 1 suppliers, consumer electronics producers, and industrial automation businesses are among the main employers. Rail, energy, and medical devices are also significant sectors. Employers range from large multinationals with structured engineering functions to mid-sized manufacturers where engineers carry wider responsibility. Both private sector and publicly owned organisations such as defence primes and network operators recruit into these roles.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Throughout this degree apprenticeship, learning happens alongside employment, allowing apprentices to apply electrical and electronic engineering principles directly in their workplace. Before final assessment, apprentices must pass through a readiness check, commonly called the gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has demonstrated sufficient knowledge, skills and behaviours for the role. Final assessment then confirms competence at degree level, covering the engineering judgment and problem-solving expected of a qualified electrical or electronic engineer. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Because this is a degree-level programme, the volume of evidence required is substantial, so building a record of workplace activity from the start is important. Apprentices should document real engineering work as they complete it, such as product development contributions, fault-finding processes, and manufacturing problem resolution, rather than trying to reconstruct evidence later. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider throughout helps ensure that workplace projects align with what the final assessment requires, and that nothing significant is left unrecorded when the gateway approaches.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on their FATP profile; for a 42-month degree apprenticeship at this level, completion data carries real weight. Strong providers will have established relationships with employers in electronics manufacturing, power systems or product development, and can show apprentices spending meaningful time in laboratories or workshop facilities rather than purely classroom-based learning. Employer satisfaction scores above 80% suggest the provider understands what industry needs from an engineer at this level. Check that the curriculum covers current test and measurement tools, PCB design software and fault-finding methodologies in use on live production lines.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers who cannot explain how off-the-job training maps onto real manufacturing or product development contexts. A high enrolment figure paired with a declining achievement rate on the FATP profile is a warning sign at degree level, where dropout can be costly. Vague answers about which laboratory equipment apprentices use, or a curriculum that hasn't been updated to reflect current electronic design tools and safety standards, suggest the provision may be lagging behind industry practice. Ask to see the qualification outcomes of recent cohorts and where those alumni are working.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What laboratory and workshop facilities will apprentices have regular access to throughout the programme?
- Which electronic design and simulation tools does the curriculum cover, and how current are they?
- How do you structure the split between university study and workplace learning across the 42 months?
- What is your achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- Can you share examples of the kinds of manufacturing problems previous apprentices have worked on?
- How do your tutors stay current with industry practice in electrical and electronic engineering?
- What employer input goes into designing and reviewing the programme content?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience does someone need to start this apprenticeship?
Entry requirements are set by individual training providers and employers, but most expect at least two A-levels (or equivalent) in relevant subjects such as maths and physics, plus GCSEs in English and maths. Some employers accept equivalent vocational qualifications or relevant work experience. Applicants must be employed for the duration of the programme, and providers may use aptitude tests or interviews as part of their selection process.
How long does the apprenticeship take and what does the time commitment look like?
The typical duration is 42 months. Throughout that time, the apprentice remains in paid employment, splitting their time between work-based learning and off-the-job study, often at a university. The exact off-the-job training split is subject to current government reforms, so check the latest specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website or gov.uk for up-to-date requirements before planning a start.
How is the apprenticeship assessed and what is the gateway?
Before sitting the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, a point at which both the employer and provider confirm the apprentice has met all required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment models for many degree apprenticeship standards are currently being reviewed as part of Skills England reforms. For the current end-point assessment approach for this standard, check the official specification on gov.uk or the IfATE website.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £27,000. Levy-paying employers draw training costs from their apprenticeship service account. Non-levy employers co-invest with the government, currently paying a small percentage of training costs. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing. Costs cover training and assessment only; the apprentice's salary is the employer's responsibility throughout.
What does an apprentice in this role actually do at work?
Day-to-day work centres on supporting the development and manufacture of electrical and electronic products. That typically includes diagnosing and resolving manufacturing faults, testing and validating electronic systems, working with design and production teams to bring new products from concept to production, and applying engineering principles to improve manufacturing processes. The exact mix of tasks depends on the employer's sector, whether that is aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, or another manufacturing environment.
What can someone do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing a level 6 degree apprenticeship produces a graduate-level engineer with both an academic qualification and substantial practical experience. Progression routes include moving into senior or principal engineering roles, taking on project or team leadership responsibilities, or specialising further in areas such as power systems, embedded software, or product design. Some graduates choose to pursue chartered engineer status through a relevant professional engineering institution such as the IET.
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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: 10.
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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