You will learn how to maintain the safety, integrity and effective operation of plant and equipment in one or more of the following areas: the electricity generating environment, (which may use a range of different fuels including coal, gas, nuclear, wind and other renewable sources), oil and gas refining, nuclear waste reprocessing, processing and production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, human and animal food, cosmetics, petrochemicals, sewerage and the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas.

Dependent upon the sector you are employed in, there may be subtle differences in terms of the composition and application of the plant and equipment, however the fundamental principles of operation will be the same regardless of the engineering sector.

Learners will also undertake installation, testing, servicing, removal, replacement, maintenance and repair of a range of equipment and undertake decommissioning activities when plant is being removed from service. They may also undertake decommissioning activities when plant is being removed from service.

Apprentice plant operation technicians will undertake the safe and efficient operation of complex integrated energy conversion and production plant and systems. These activities could include plant commissioning, isolation and testing, plant preparation, plant start-up and shut down, monitoring and controlling plant and dealing with critical operational problems.

They will be responsible for the quality of their own work and possibly others and will ensure the work is completed safely, meets stakeholder quality, time and budget requirements, whilst maintaining the efficient running of plant and equipment.