Engineering covers a wide range of sectors and activities, and is a fast moving and diverse industry with many occupational routes including a significant number of roles at Technician level, Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships and Graduate level Apprenticeships can be supportive in meeting the needs of the sector in many areas of engineering skills requirements.
The Level 3 qualification is work based but candidates are required to attend college to complete an NC or HNC and this can take between 12 and 24 months depending on the chosen route. The qualification structure requires the learner to complete common mandatory units within their chosen pathway followed by a number of optional units from a provided selection but additional units can be taken to meet a business’s needs. There are 6 separate pathways under this framework. The first 4 mandatory units apply to each pathway as listed below:
Full details of the qualification can be found on the SQA or EAL Website as appropriate using the following link :
Full details of the Modern Apprenticeship framework can be found on the Skills Development Scotland Website using this link :
| Qualification | Modern Apprenticeship |
| Awards Body | EAL |
| SVQ Level | 3 |
| SCQF Level | 6 |
| Course Code | GL3L 23 |
Mandatory Units
All 4 mandatory assessment routes must be completed
| SAEE3/001A | Complying with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements |
| SAEE3/002A | Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation |
| SAEE3/003A | Working efficiently and effectively in engineering |
| SAEE3/004A | Reinstating the work area on completion of activities |
Optional Units
Pathway 1 – Aircraft Manufacture Mechanical SAEEA
Learners must complete a further 4 optional assessment routes (a total of 8 units) for this pathway
Group B : Four optional assessment routes must be completed
| SAEE3/005A | Marking out composite and/or metallic aircraft components |
| SAEE3/008A | Installing aircraft mechanical fasteners into composite and/or metallic components |
| SAEE3/010A | Producing composite and/or metallic aircraft sub-assemblies |
| SAEE3/011A | Producing composite and/or metallic aircraft major assemblies |
| SAEE3/013A | Repairing airframes and structures |
| SAEE3/026A | Producing aircraft composite assemblies |
| SAEE3/039A | Drilling and finishing holes in composite and/or metallic aircraft structures or components |
| SAEE3/093A | Applying finishes to composite mouldings |
| SAEE3/202A | Producing composite mouldings using pre-reg laminating techniques |
| SAEE3/203A | Producing composite mouldings using wet lay up laminating techniques |
| SAEE3/204A | Producing composite mouldings using resin flow infusion techniques |
| SAEE3/205A | Trimming composite mouldings using hand tools |
| SAEE3/206A | Identifying defects in composite mouldings |
| SAEE3/207A | Repairing composite mouldings |
| SAEE3/208A | Bonding composite mouldings |
| SAEE3/350A | Producing composite mouldings using resin film infusion techniques |
| SAEE3/351A | Using curing and consolidation equipment for composite mouldings |
| SAEE3/352A | Producing composite assemblies |
| SAEE3/353A | Installing composite mouldings |
Pathway 2 – Aircraft Power Pant SAEEB
Learners must complete a further 2 optional assessment routes from Group B (total of 6 units)
Group B : One optional assessment route must be completed
| SAEE3/031A | Producing aircraft engine compressor assemblies |
| SAEE3/032A | Producing aircraft engine combustion assemblies |
| SAEE3/033A | Producing aircraft engine turbine assemblies |
| SAEE3/034A | Producing aircraft engine gearbox assemblies |
| SAEE3/036A | Producing aircraft engine major assemblies |
| SAEE3/037A | Dressing aircraft engines |
| SAEE3/354A | Repairing and modifying mechanical assemblies |
| SAEE3/161A | Carrying out test bed runs on aircraft engines (uninstalled) |
| SAEE3/162A | Overhauling aircraft gas turbine engines by module replacement |
| SAEE3/163A | Overhauling aircraft gas turbine engine compressor assemblies |
| SAEE3/164A | Overhauling aircraft gas turbine engine combustion assemblies |
| SAEE3/165A | Overhauling aircraft gas turbine engine turbine assemblies |
| SAEE3/166A | Overhauling aircraft gas turbine engine gearbox assemblies |
| SAEE3/212A | Dismantling aircraft gas turbine engines to module/unit level |
| SAEE3/213A | Rebuilding aircraft gas turbine engine assemblies after overhaul |
Pathway 3 – Aircraft Maintenance SAEEC
Learners must complete a further 6 optional assessment routes, 2 optional assessment routes from Group A and 4 optional assessment routes from Group B (a total of 10 units)
Group A : Two optional assessment routes must be completed
| SAEE3/120A | Carrying out fault diagnosis on aircraft avionics components or systems |
| SAEE3/121A | Undertaking scheduled maintenance of aircraft avionics equipment/systems |
| SAEE3/141A | Carrying out fault diagnosis on aircraft airframe, mechanical components and systems |
| SAEE3/142A | Undertaking scheduled maintenance of aircraft airframe and mechanical equipment |
| SAEE3/301A | Lifting and trestling/shoring aircraft for maintenance/repair operations |
| SAEE3/302A | Levelling and weighing aircraft |
| SAEE3/303A | Towing, marshalling and parking aircraft |
| SAEE3/304A | Carrying out flight servicing and routine maintenance of aircraft |
Group B : Four optional assessment routes must be completed
| SAEE3/013A | Repairing airframes and structures |
| SAEE3/126A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft communication systems |
| SAEE3/131A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft internal and external lighting systems |
| SAEE3/135A | Carrying out tests on aircraft pilot static systems |
| SAEE3/140A | Carrying out tests on aircraft flight guidance and control systems |
| SAEE3/143A | Removing and replacing aircraft power plant and components |
| SAEE3/145A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft fuel and lubrication systems |
| SAEE3/146A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft hydraulic systems |
| SAEE3/148A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft environmental systems |
| SAEE3/149A | Removing and replacing components of aircraft power transmission systems |
| SAEE3/153A | Carrying out tests on aircraft engines and systems |
| SAEE3/154A | Carrying out tests on aircraft control systems |
| SAEE3/155A | Carrying out tests on aircraft fuel and storage systems |
| SAEE3/156A | Carrying out tests on aircraft hydraulic systems |
| SAEE3/158A | Carrying out tests on aircraft environmental systems |
| SAEE3/159A | Carrying out tests on aircraft power transmission systems |
| SAEE3/161A | Carrying out test bed runs on aircraft engines (uninstalled) |
| SAEE3/308A | Maintaining electrical power systems on aircraft |
| SAEE3/311A | Maintaining flight control systems on aircraft |
| SAEE3/314A | Maintaining ice and rain protection systems on aircraft |
| SAEE3/331A | Maintaining propeller/propulsor systems on aircraft |
| SAEE3/337A | Maintaining turbine engines on aircraft |
Workplace Core Skills
| F427 04 | Communication at Level 5 |
| F42B 04 | Numeracy Level 5 |
| F42F 04 | Information and Communication Technology Level 5 |
| F42K 04 | Problem Solving Level 5 |
| F42P 04 | Working with Others Level 5 |