Toolmaker and tool & die maintenance technician – Level 3

A technician trained through Make UK can read and interpret data and documentation to produce or maintain tool and die components, assemblies and systems. They can also apply the methods and techniques needed to produce, assemble, disassemble, repair or maintain tools, dies, jigs and fixtures to your requirements.

They can manufacture components such as tooling, dies, jigs and fixtures, and carry out testing to confirm correct operation and the effectiveness of any repairs or maintenance work.

Technicians can undertake equipment and asset care, including planned preventative maintenance, and carry out complex fault diagnosis and repair across mechanical, fluid and pneumatic power, electrical and electronic, and process control equipment.

They can safely operate a wide range of hand tools such as grinders, drills and stones, and complex workshop machinery including CNC lathes, milling, grinding and erosion machining centres, drilling and welding equipment. They understand how pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems apply to moulding, injection and pressing machinery.

They also contribute to the business by identifying opportunities to improve working practices, processes or procedures.

Technicians trained to this standard work individually or as part of a manufacturing team, with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of their work and proactively finding solutions to problems.

Tooling made and maintained to this standard underpins products used every day, in transport (cars, planes, boats and rail), energy, defence, food, clothing, packaging and health, including medical equipment and implants such as joint replacements.

Typical job titles: Toolmaker, tool & die maintenance technician.

As a toolmaker apprentice, you'll spend most of your time in the workplace, applying what you're learning to real tooling and die work.

You'll attend the Make UK Tech Hub in Aston to work towards three mandatory qualifications. First, a Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, covering safety and regulations, working efficiently, technical information, business improvement, hand fitting, lathes, milling machines, CNC programs, grinding machines and producing tool and die assemblies.

Alongside this, you'll work towards a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering covering technical knowledge like health and safety, communications, maths, materials, mechanical principles, engineering drawing, CNC applications, maintenance procedures, fault diagnosis, mechanical measurement and inspection, electrical and electronic principles, and Industry 4.0.

Finally, you'll complete a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering specific to toolmaking, choosing a pathway with your employer: Toolmaker (assembling press, injection mould, blow mould or vacuum forming tools, or dies, and producing toolroom components using CNC machines), Mould, Tool and Die Equipment Maintenance (fault diagnosis and maintenance on mould, press tool or die equipment), or Jig and Fixture Manufacture (producing, assembling and repairing jigs and fixtures).

If you don't already have English and maths at Level 2, you'll need to achieve this before you can take your end-point assessment.

Employers can add specialist appreciation weeks in mechanical, pneumatics, MIG welding, CNC, electrical, electronics, hydraulics or robotics, broadening an apprentice's exposure at an additional cost per module.

This is one of the most in-depth qualifications on offer. Toolmakers progress into senior toolroom roles, specialist die, mould or jig positions, tooling engineering, and further study.
Programme structure and assessment

The programme typically takes 42 to 48 months. Exact timings depend on prior experience, occupational role and any relevant Assessment of Prior Learning and Knowledge.

Training is split between your workplace and time at the Make UK Tech Hub, working towards your Foundation Competence, Development Technical Knowledge and Development Competence qualifications, all of which are mandatory to complete the standard. Your employer selects the most relevant pathway and unit options at each stage to match your role.

End-point assessment is delivered through a portfolio of evidence and a technical interview (viva), with involvement from a professional engineering institution.