Everything you need to know about our new T Level

As the country's newest vocational qualification, the T Level is still not well known to many. Here we tell you everything you need to know about South West Durham Training's new Engineering and Manufacturing T Level being launched this September.

If there is one thing the whole country is agreed upon, it is that we need more engineers.

Our new T Level - Technical Qualification in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing (to give it its full name) – is designed to help address this major skills shortage.

At our specialist engineering training centre South West Durham Training (SWDT) you will be working with industry experts to develop your skills and knowledge using the latest equipment, but alongside that you will spend your work placement time working with some of the biggest names in the sector.

Our brand-new Engineering and Manufacturing T Level will allow you to specialise in Mechatronics whilst also having a multi-disciplinary focus in subjects such as robotics, programmable logic control, hydraulics and pneumatics, as well as the principles of both mechanical and electrical engineering.

You will also undertake a high quality, structured and outcomes-focused industry placement; this is an integral part of the new T Level programme. The industry placement will be aligned to your career aspirations identified in your career plan which will last 315 hours and could include up to two employers. The industry placement(s) will support you to develop a breadth of new skills to provide you with a valuable opportunity to progress towards your career goals.

A classroom and workshop based technical qualification with three elements covering core engineering theory, concepts and skills for an industry area and specialist mechatronics skills and knowledge for an occupation or career in the engineering and manufacturing sector with a focus on maintenance , installation and repair.

The T Level is a full-time two-year programme. UCAS tariff points will be allocated and will be equivalent in value to three A Levels. The core element is externally examined and graded A-E and the mechatronics specialism element is pass/merit/distinction graded.

What you will learn: the 17 Year One core units

Unit 1: Working with the engineering and manufacturing sectors
In this unit you will learn about:

• Different types of manufacturing processes that influence the design of engineered products.
• The roles and purpose of maintenance, repair and installation.
• Different types of tools and equipment used.
• How effective maintenance reduces impact on the environment.

Unit 3: Engineering representations
In this unit you will learn:

• A range of different drawing types using Computer Aided Design (CAD) system.
• The purpose and application of CAD systems and software.
• How to interpret and present information on engineering drawings.
• How to interpret dimensions and related drawing symbols. 

Unit 4: Essential mathematics for engineering and manufacturing
In this unit you will:

• Learn how to apply a range of mathematical theory in engineering contexts, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry and standard arithmetic.
• Learn about different numbering systems used in engineering and manufacturing and how to convert between them.

Unit 5: Essential science for engineering and manufacturing
In this unit you will:

• Learn about units of measurement used in engineering and how to convert between them.
• Learn the definitions of, and differences between a range of measuring systems.
• Learn about scientific methods and how to analyse, evaluate, synthesise and apply information and data.
• Learn what can be measured and how to measure items using a range of equipment and how this is used in problem solving.
• Apply theory and calculations to solve practical engineering problems involving forces and motion.
• Learn about fluid dynamics and thermodynamics in engineering.

Unit 6: Materials and their properties
In this unit you will learn:

• The difference between physical and mechanical properties.
• Different types of materials and their structures as well as methods of disposal.
• A range of processing techniques on materials, such as forming, welding and brazing metals, and how they can affect the structure, physical and mechanical properties of materials.
• How heat treatment and surface treatment processes affect the structure and properties of materials.
• The causes of material failure and their prevention.
• Different material testing methods and how to interpret results.

Unit 7: Mechanical principles
In this unit you will learn:

• The principles of motion and mechanics in engineering and manufacturing systems.
• Newton’s three laws of motion and how to apply it.
• A range of forces and energy, such as kinetic energy, gravitational forces and frictional resistance, and types of power (mechanical, electrical, renewable).
• The function and relative advantages of alternative power sources such as solar, hydro, wind and biofuel.

Unit 8: Electrical and electronic principles
In this unit you will learn:

• A range of basic principles of electricity and electronics, such as the flow of electrons, charges and power.
• Electric circuit theories and how to calculate values in circuits, such as voltage, current and resistance.
• Factors affecting the operation and applications of high-power electrical equipment and electronic devices.

Unit 9: Mechatronics
Mechatronics is the integration of mechanical and electronic systems to produce a functioning system. In this unit you will learn:

• The purpose and function of a range of mechanical and electrical components.
• The operation, function and applications of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) in mechatronic systems.
  The differences between hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as their advantages and limitations.

Unit 10: Engineering and manufacturing control systems
In this unit you will learn:

• A range of principles of control system theory.
• How to produce a system diagram with multiple inputs and outputs.
• A range of applications of control systems used in industry, such as electricals, pneumatics and hydraulics.
• The purpose and function of the different types of sensors and actuators and how they are used in automation control systems.

Unit 11: Quality management
In this unit you will learn:

• The function, purpose and value of standards (safety, quality, compliance) and how to access this information.
• The roles and responsibilities of the engineering bodies.
• The difference between quality control and quality assurance as well as the main requirements of quality standards.
• Different approaches to quality improvement and the advantages and disadvantages to each approach.
• The types and applications of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and their purpose (standardisation of activity, customer satisfaction, safety, training).

Unit 12: Health and safety principles and coverage
In this unit you will learn:

• The main requirements of current key legislation, how to access it and how it affects your own activities in the workplace.
• The purpose of legislation within the engineering industry.
• How health and safety legislation affects the frequency of accidents and related incidents.
• The importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
• Who the persons responsible are for ensuring compliance e.g. employer, employee, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as well as the responsibilities for health and safety.
• The stages of risk assessment as well as health and safety considerations in specific engineering contexts.
• Principles and practices relating to environmental legislation and considerations, including methods of waste disposal.

Unit 13: Business, commercial and financial awareness
In this unit you will learn:

• The goals of commercial operations and how these are addressed.
• How organisations address the needs of different customers and markets.
• How organisations evaluate activities in terms of quality, cost and time.
• The role of Research and Development and innovation to address changing customer needs.
• How business practices influence the operation of engineering organisations.
• Financial and economic concepts and their implication for the operating of a business.

Unit 14: Professional responsibilities, attitudes, and behaviours
This unit covers professional conduct and responsibilities in the workplace. You will learn about:

• Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and how it can motivate staff and improve performance.
• Human factors within engineering and manufacturing contexts where human characteristics, capabilities and limitations affect the company and production.

Unit 15: Stock and asset management
In this unit you will learn:

• The purpose of effective stock and inventory management and control.
• Key issues, risks, advantages and disadvantages associated with the different practices.
• A range and purpose of asset management and control principles such as capacity management, key stages of asset life cycle management and budgetary control practices.

Unit 16: Continuous improvement
In this unit you will learn:

• Continuous improvement principles, such as reflection and evaluation processes, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), implementation, 8 Wastes (transportation, inventory, motion, waiting, excess production, over processing, defects, unused talent), Lean and Kaizen.
• How the 8 wastes affect the performance of engineering activities.
• Continuous improvement practices and their benefits and limitations, such as value stream mapping, visual management and 6S (sort, set in order, shine, standardise, sustain, safety).

Unit 17: Project and programme management
In this unit you will learn:

• Principles of project management, such as project brief, project goals, success criteria, project life cycle, constraints, risk management and collaborative working.
• How projects are defined and structured.
• The management practices, processes and documentation needed at each stage of the project.
• Responsibilities of the different roles and how they contribute to a project.
• Project planning and control, such as resource requirements, Gantt charts, monitoring reports.
• The reasons for reviewing and evaluating of projects to improve subsequent projects.

To find out more about course requirements, what you can do on qualification and to apply, visit: https://swdt.co.uk/Courses/SWDF085-231A