There are 3 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.
Product design and development technicians work within engineering and manufacturing environments to support the creation and improvement of products. At level 3, apprentices build technical knowledge in design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes, alongside practical skills in producing and interpreting technical drawings, specifications, and prototypes. They learn to apply relevant standards and regulations, carry out testing and evaluation, and contribute to the product lifecycle from concept through to production-ready outputs.
On a typical week, an apprentice might produce or revise CAD drawings, support prototype builds, and run tests to check products meet specifications. They are likely to work alongside design engineers and production teams, document findings, and flag issues that need resolving before a design moves forward. Tasks often involve reading technical documentation, maintaining accurate records, and using both digital tools and physical equipment in workshop or office settings.
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as design technician, product development technician, or junior CAD technician. With experience, progression into design engineering, project coordination, or product management is a realistic route. Employers hiring at this level span a wide range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, medical devices, and industrial equipment manufacturing. The qualification also provides a foundation for further study at level 4 or above, including higher apprenticeships in engineering design.
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No training providers currently listed for this standard.
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads into roles such as Product Design Technician, Development Technician, Design and Development Assistant, or Junior CAD Technician. These positions sit within product development teams, supporting the translation of concepts into manufacturable designs. Day-to-day responsibilities commonly include producing technical drawings, supporting design reviews, testing prototypes, and maintaining product documentation in line with engineering standards.
With three to five years of experience, technicians often move into Product Designer, Senior Development Technician, or Design Engineer roles, taking on greater ownership of design projects and leading smaller development workstreams. Beyond that, two broad tracks tend to open up: a technical specialist route focusing on areas such as materials, tolerancing, or CAD systems, and a project or team leadership route progressing towards Product Development Manager or Engineering Team Leader positions.
Manufacturing businesses of all sizes hire for these roles, from small contract manufacturers through to large-scale OEMs in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, medical devices, and industrial equipment. Employers in defence and rail also recruit at this level. Both private-sector manufacturers and some public-sector engineering bodies carry product development technician roles, though the majority of opportunities sit within privately held UK manufacturing companies.
Learning takes place on the job, with the apprentice building knowledge, skills and behaviours in product design and development work throughout the programme. Before moving to final assessment, there is a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice is prepared. Final assessment then determines whether the apprentice can perform competently in the role. Assessment methods for engineering and manufacturing standards are currently being reviewed as part of ongoing reforms, so the gov.uk page for this standard holds the most current specification.
Gathering evidence of real work from the start makes a significant difference. Apprentices should record what they do on live projects, document decisions made during design and development tasks, and keep that evidence organised throughout rather than trying to reconstruct it near the end of the programme. Working closely with both the employer and training provider to understand what good evidence looks like, and checking progress against the standard's requirements regularly, puts apprentices in a stronger position when the gateway readiness check comes around.
Look for providers with hands-on facilities: CNC machinery, CAD workstations running current software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360 or equivalent), and prototyping or testing equipment that reflects what apprentices will use on the job. On FATP profiles, an achievement rate above 65% is a baseline; above 75% is a meaningful signal given the technical depth of this standard. Employer satisfaction scores matter here because the programme relies heavily on workplace projects. With only three providers nationally, check that the one you're considering actually covers your region and has delivered this standard recently, not just listed it.
With only three providers in the market, switching mid-programme is difficult, so scrutinise before you commit. Be cautious if a provider cannot show you their CAD lab or explain which design software the curriculum covers, as a vague answer almost certainly means provision is dated. Low or declining achievement rates on this standard specifically are a serious concern given the 36-month commitment. If a provider struggles to name employers they currently work with in manufacturing or product development, that gap in industry contact will show up in the quality of the off-the-job training.
There are no nationally mandated entry qualifications, but most employers expect apprentices to have GCSEs in maths, science, and English, or equivalent. Practical aptitude and an interest in technical drawing or product development are commonly valued. Individual training providers and employers may set their own requirements, so it is worth checking directly with the provider you shortlist. Apprentices must be employed for the full duration of the programme.
The typical duration is 36 months. Apprentices remain in paid employment throughout and split their time between workplace practice and off-the-job learning. The exact off-the-job hours requirement is subject to ongoing change under current Skills England reforms, so check the current specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page on gov.uk for the figure that applies when you enrol.
Before taking the end-point assessment, an apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer, training provider, and apprentice confirm that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours have been demonstrated. Assessment methods for many standards are being updated, so check the current assessment plan on gov.uk for the specific approach that applies to this standard. The assessment is carried out by an independent end-point assessment organisation.
The funding band for this standard is £27,000, which is the maximum the government will contribute toward training and assessment costs. Levy-paying employers draw the cost from their digital apprenticeship service account. Non-levy employers co-invest, typically paying 5% of the training cost with the government covering the rest. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing; the government funds the full amount.
Day-to-day work typically involves producing and interpreting engineering drawings, supporting the development of new products from concept through to manufacture, and using CAD software to create or modify designs. Apprentices also carry out testing and analysis, write technical documentation, and work closely with design engineers and production teams to ensure products meet specifications and manufacturing requirements. The exact tasks depend on the employer's sector and product type.
Completing this apprenticeship opens routes into more senior technician roles, team leader positions, or specialist technical functions such as quality, manufacturing engineering, or R&D support. Some completers go on to study for a Level 4 or Level 6 engineering or product design qualification, or use the apprenticeship as a stepping stone toward chartered engineering status through a professional body such as the IMechE or IET, depending on the direction they take.
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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: 13.
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.