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Civil Engineering Senior Technician

Course Code: APP0259
  • Level: 4
  • Qualification: Certificate
  • Awarding body: Pearson
  • Duration: Three years
  • Course type: Part-time
  • Time of day: Daytime
  • When you'll study: Year 1 - Thursdays, 9.00am - 6.00pm. Year 2 - Wednesdays, 9.00am - 6.00pm. Year 3 - in the workplace
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What's it all about?

Build a career helping to design, construct and improve the infrastructure that communities depend on. This level 4 higher Apprenticeship combines paid employment with higher education at City College Plymouth, helping you develop the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence needed for civil engineering work.

You will apply your learning to real projects, from surveying and analysing structures to producing digital designs and planning construction works. Your College studies lead to the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering, alongside workplace training that develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of a Civil Engineering Senior Technician.

The programme is suitable for people progressing from relevant level 3 study or an Apprenticeship, and for employees developing their careers in civil engineering. You will learn to make informed technical decisions, communicate engineering information and contribute to safe, sustainable project delivery.

The Apprenticeship typically involves three years of training followed by an end-point assessment period of around four months. Your individual training plan will reflect your role, prior learning and development needs.

Course information

Eight 15-credit level 4 units (120 credits), studied over two years by day-release with four units and 60 credits in each year.

Year 1

  • Unit 8 Mathematics for Construction: algebra, trigonometry, statistics and calculus. 
  • Unit 3 Science & Materials: material properties, safe use and sustainable selection. 
  • Unit 7 Surveying, Measuring and Setting-out: site surveys, levelling and setting out. 
  • Unit 17 Civil Engineering Technology: earthworks, foundations, roads and bridges.

Year 2

  • Unit 4 The Construction Environment: sector roles, sustainability and project controls. 
  • Unit 19 Principles of Structural Design: beams, columns, structural analysis and design. 
  • Unit 6 Digital Applications for Construction Information: digital drawings and information. 
  • Unit 4001CE Construction Design Project Civil Engineering (Pearson-set): design proposals and coordinated technical information.

Workplace training develops occupational competence, safe working, sustainability, communication, supervision and professional development. You will maintain a portfolio and review progress with your employer and the College.

You must be employed in a relevant civil engineering role, with employer support and time for off-the-job training.

Normally, GCSE English and mathematics at grade 4/C or above, plus relevant level 3 study. Typical HNC entry is 56 UCAS tariff points, including a suitable mathematics, physics or engineering subject. Relevant BTEC, T Level and advanced apprenticeship qualifications are considered.

Relevant experience and non-standard qualifications are considered individually. Interview and initial assessment will confirm suitability, prior learning and support needs. Apprenticeship eligibility requirements apply.

HNC: assignments using reports, calculations, surveying records, drawings, digital portfolios, presentations and the Pearson-set design project, graded against Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria.

Apprenticeship: workplace evidence and progress reviews, followed after gateway by independent end-point assessment comprising a technical project report and presentation with questioning, plus a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio.

Career options include senior civil engineering technician, site engineering technician and design technician. You may work towards EngTech registration, subject to professional body requirements.

FdSc Civil Engineering at City College Plymouth: progression is subject to entry requirements, curriculum mapping and credit approval.

After a relevant foundation degree, consider BSc (Hons) Construction and Civil Engineering, subject to entry requirements.

Please note fees are quoted for one year only.

Download course PDF

Future careers

What you could earn:

Carpenters and Joiners

£60,369.38

Potential salary

£27,833.19

Entry level salary

£36,481.00

Average salary

23

Annual openings in Plymouth

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