These courses are designed to equip individuals with practical skills, knowledge and understanding required for success in progression to future employment for a range of engineering, motor vehicle and operations maintenance occupations.

Lowestoft College is a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in Offshore Technology. CoVE status has been awarded by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) to support the development of new and existing training programmes.

Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT are integrated into each course at an appropriate level.

This Level 1 qualification covers the basic technical needs for today’s motor vehicle repair industry. It provides essential knowledge for service technicians working on light vehicles (cars and vans) in all types of garages, dealerships and maintenance depots.

It is a learning programme which involves students studying both the theory and practical aspects of the following:

• Light vehicle construction and routine maintenance
• Operating principles of light vehicle engines, tyres, brakes, steering and suspension systems
• Operating principles and maintenance of light vehicle transmission systems and electrical and electronic systems

Learners gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage. Knowledge is assessed by practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSE’s Grade D or above including maths and science as well as the aptitude for practical skills and the ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This Level 2 qualification covers the technical needs for today’s motor vehicle repair industry, including the diagnosis of non-complex system faults. It provides essential knowledge for service technicians working on light vehicles (cars and vans) in all types of garages, dealerships and maintenance depots.

The programme involves learners studying both the theory and practical aspects of the following:

• Carrying out routine vehicle maintenance including engine systems
• Inspecting removing, repairing and replacing light vehicle tyres
• Carrying out four wheel alignment
• Inspecting and replacing exhaust components, suspension dampers and springs, batteries and braking systems and components

Learners also gain a broad knowledge and understanding of health and safety in the workplace and other skills associated with working in a garage. Knowledge is assessed by practical assessments in our extensive motor vehicle workshop with ‘on-line’ multiple-choice testing.

This Level 2 qualification can be used as a technical certificate within an appropriate apprenticeship framework .

Entry requirements for this course are either a Level 1 motor vehicle diploma qualification, or three GCSE’s Grade C or above including maths and science as well as the aptitude for practical skills and the ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This course is designed to provide the background knowledge and practical experience required within the boatbuilding and marine leisure industry, but includes skills that can easily be transferred within wood occupations.

Learners work towards the City and Guilds 2451 Boat Construction, Maintenance and Support and EMTA EAL Performing Engineering Operations qualifications.

Units include:

• Developing self and working safely in a marine environment
• Marine technology

Optional units:

• Yacht and boat building assembly and sub-assembly
• Production of hulls and decks and structural components
• Installation and fitting out of boats

Health and safety, engineering drawing and lofting skills are also covered.

Successful completion provides a broad knowledge of the required skills to progress in to industry or on to the next level of this course.

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade C or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for wood and boat craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

This technical certificate can be used within an appropriate advanced apprenticeship framework.

This course is aimed at learners that are employed or intend to gain employment in a boatyard or within the marine leisure industry and includes skills that can easily be transferred within other wood occupations.

Units include:

• Safe and effective working in a boatbuilding, repair and service environment
• Boatbuilding repair and service materials technology Optional units:
• Production and finishing of hulls and decks
• Producing and fitting structural components

Health and safety, engineering drawing and lofting skills are also covered.

Entry requirements are a Level 2 boatbuilding qualification plus the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course. Mature students with prior experience within the industry will be considered for direct entry.

These qualifications can be used within an appropriate apprenticeship framework.

The BTEC National Extended DIPLOMA in ENGINEERING is designed to provide a specialist work-related qualification in a range of operations and maintenance occupations including install, operate and maintain complex engineering systems, currently used throughout the broad range of engineering industries.

It will give learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare them for employment. The qualification provides career development for those already in work and additionally opens up the opportunity to study at a higher level.

You may wish to progress onto an electrical or mechanical engineering course at university or continue your studies at Lowestoft College through a Higher National Certificate or Foundation Degree in Engineering.

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress in to a career in Electrical Engineering or Maintenance.

The course is a broad based work-related programme which will give an understanding of electrical technology as well as a good insight in to other areas of engineering.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Electrical installation
• Electrical maintenance
• Principles of electro technology
• Sheet metal work
• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
• Centre lathe turning

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade C or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for Electrical and engineering craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations as well as the City and Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electro Technical Technology. These qualifications allow students to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 on gaining employment or on to the Engineering Technicians - Operations and Maintenance Extended Diploma course at Level 3.

This exciting course was designed by industry and is set up to give learners the chance to gain knowledge and experience of various aspects of the energy industry before they decide on their chosen career pathway.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Nuclear awareness
• Oil & Gas extraction
• Wind turbine systems
• Processing operations in energy
• Electrical technology
• Welding

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSE’s grade C or above, the ability to cope with the demands of the course and an interview. The skills acquired on this course are recognised by employers and can help you on to an apprenticeship programme or technician level courses relating to the industry

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress into a career in Mechanical Engineering and allied industries. The course is a broad-based work-related programme which will give an understanding of machining and bench fitting practices.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Working efficiently and effectively in Engineering
• Centre lathe turning
• Milling
• Bench fitting
• Using and communicating technical information

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at Grade C or above or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for Engineering craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations as well as the City and Guilds 2800 Certificate in Engineering. These qualifications allow students to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 on gaining employment or on to the Engineering Technicians course - Operations and Maintenance Extended Diploma at Level 3.

This course is designed to provide opportunities for students not yet in employment to develop their knowledge and understanding, and gain practical welding and fabrication skills. It includes some study of craft principles and is largely practical in nature, the elements of the course being designed to provide a general understanding of welding, fabrication and sheetmetal work.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Welding techniques
• Fabrication and sheetmetal work
• Engineering drawing

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at grade D or above. An aptitude for welding and fabrication crafts skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course will be expected and candidates will be interviewed prior to acceptance. Students may wish to progress on to the Welding and Fabrication Skills Level 2 award course for a further 15 weeks.

The course is designed for new entrants preparing to progress into a career in welding, fabrication and allied industries. The course is a broad-based work related programme, which will give an understanding of basic welding and fabrication principles and practices.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Working safely in an engineering environment
• Working efficiently and effectively in Engineering
• Producing sheet metal components and assemblies
• Producing plate-work components
• Using and communicating technical information
• Welding

Entry requirements for this course are three GCSEs at Grade C or above, or an appropriate qualification at Level 1 and an interview. Applicants should demonstrate an aptitude for welding and fabrication craft skills and the interest and ability to cope with the demands of the course.

The course will lead to the EAL Level 2 qualification Performing Engineering Operations which satisfies the initial stage of training required to progress on to an Advanced Apprenticeship at Level 3 or gaining employment. Additional qualifications in welding.

This course is designed as a progression route for students completing the Level 1 Certificate course. It builds on the techniques and skills already learnt and includes new welding processes at Level 2.

Additional maths qualifications are added to prepare students wishing to progress on to the Level 2 Certificate course in the next year or full time employment within the industry.

Subjects to be studied include:

• Health and Safety
• Welding
• Application of number (maths)