Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3) Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician
Role overview
The Level 3 Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician Apprenticeship is designed for those who want to build a career maintaining, repairing, and servicing lift trucks and powered access equipment.
From forklift trucks to mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), apprentices gain the specialist knowledge and skills needed to keep this essential machinery safe, reliable, and efficient.
Delivered through a combination of college-based training at Stephenson College and on-the-job learning, the programme equips apprentices with the technical expertise and professional behaviours employers require. You’ll learn to diagnose faults, carry out servicing and preventative maintenance, and complete complex repairs across a range of equipment used in industries such as warehousing, logistics, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Entry requirements
Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment.
Qualifications obtained
Level 3 Apprenticeship in Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician
Programme includes
Knowledge
K1: Awareness of health and safety regulations, relevance to the occupation and the technician's responsibilities. Health and Safety at Work Act – responsibilities. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Risk assessments. Safe systems of work. Manual handling. Types of hazards. Near miss reporting. Due diligence. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Situational awareness. Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). Electrical safety and compliance. Noise regulations. Work at height regulations.
K2: Tools and equipment used within the lift truck and powered access profession and their safe operation.
K3: Materials, joining methods and fabrication techniques.
K4: Principles of electrical, electronic and hydraulic circuits and components.
K5: Construction and operation of lift truck and powered access machine systems: powertrain, steering, braking, lifting gear, mechanical, electrical or electronic and hydraulics.
K6: Maintenance practices and techniques: planned and preventative, and reactive methods and their frequency. Inspection techniques and the importance of safety inspections to meet legal obligations.
K7: Diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques for fault-finding: manufacturer's process flows, guided fault finding and functional testing.
K8: Lift truck and powered access on-board diagnostics.
K9: Manufacturers’ specifications and customers’ requirements and the process to access, interpret and apply the information gained from them.
K10: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Engineering terminology.
K11: Stock requirements. Control systems. Stock rotation. Stock considerations: availability, stock lead times, stock value, faulty stock, salvageability of parts removed.
K12: Quality management standards. Quality assurance principles and practice. Record keeping.
K13: Environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance. Environmental hazards that can arise from lift truck and powered access operations. Types of pollution and control measures: noise, smells, spills, and waste. Hazardous waste regulations.
K14: The correct selection and use of hand tools.
K15: Lift truck and powered access communication systems. Telematics.
K16: Warranties: what they are and impact on lift and powered access machines.
K17: Written communication techniques. Plain English principles. Engineering terminology.
K18: Equality Act. Equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Unconscious bias.
Skills
S1: Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards relevant to lift truck or powered access machines.
S2: Obtain and interpret lift truck and powered access machine technical data and repair instructions.
S3: Use tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment when carrying out maintenance and repairs.
S4: Perform preventative maintenance activities on lift truck and powered access machines.
S5: Perform inspections on lift truck and powered access machines in compliance with Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) regulations.
S6: Remove and replace mechanical, electrical and hydraulic components.
S7: Apply diagnostic principles and problem-solving techniques to diagnose faults on lift truck or powered access machine systems.
S8: Carry out functional testing and quality checks on repaired lift truck or powered access machine components and systems.
S9: Carry out repairs and make required adjustments.
S10: Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, work sheets, checklists.
S11: Check and maintain stock.
S12: Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
S13: Prepare and maintain a clean, tidy and safe working area.
S14: Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, in compliance with quality, safety, sustainability and environmental standards and guidance.
S15: Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
S16: Store and maintain tools, workshop equipment, diagnostic and measuring equipment for maintenance and repairs.
Behaviours
B1: Put health and safety first.
B2: Take responsibility for the quality of work.
B3: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice.
B4: Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
B5: Apply a professional approach.
B6: Take account of diversity and inclusion requirements.
Where can you work?
- Warehousing and logistics companies – maintaining forklift fleets
- Construction and civil engineering firms – supporting access platforms and lifting machinery
- Agricultural businesses – servicing telehandlers, lift trucks, and equipment
- Specialist equipment hire companies – working across a variety of client sites
- Manufacturing and production plants – maintaining in-house materials handling equipment
Key information
Starts
- The Apprenticeship programme will start in September
Enrolment
- The enrolment process will be completed prior to the start date of the Apprenticeship
Delivery
- The Apprenticeship will be delivered at Stephenson College on a block release structure (term time only)
Awarding organisation
ETC/ETA
Progression opportunities
After completing this apprenticeship, learners can progress to roles such as Master Technician, Workshop Supervisor, or Fleet Maintenance Manager, or continue their training through higher-level automotive or engineering qualifications.
Completion of the programme also provides eligibility for Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration with a recognised professional body.
Additional information
Current delivery involves:
- Block release at Stephenson's College with a cycle of block then in the workplace
- A progress review every 12 weeks with dedicated trainer assessor and line manager / workplace mentor
- Observations and professional discussions with dedicated trainer assessor in the workplace
