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 7 separate pathways under this framework. The first 3 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 | GM1V 46 |
Mandatory Units
All 3 mandatory assessment routes must be completed
| SMME2/001A | Complying with statutory regulations and organisation safety requirements |
| SMME2/002A | Using and interpreting engineering data and documentation |
| SMME3/003A | Working efficiently and effectively in engineering |
Optional Units
Pathway 1 – CNC Machining SMMEA
Learners must complete a further 3 optional assessment routes , 1 from Group A and 2 from a functioning grouping from Group B (total of 6 units) for this pathway
Group A : One optional assessment route must be completed
| SMME3/030A | Loading and proving CNC machine tool programs |
| SMME3/031A | Carrying out CNC machine tool programming |
Group B : Two optional assessment routes must be completed from a functional grouping (pairing)
| SMME3/032A | Setting CNC turning machines for production |
| SMME3/033A | Machining components using CNC turning machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/034A | Setting CNC milling machines for production |
| SMME3/035A | Machining components using CNC milling machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/036A | Setting CNC grinding machines for production |
| SMME3/037A | Machining components using CNC grinding machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/038A | Setting CNC punching machines for production |
| SMME3/039A | Machining components using CNC punching machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/040A | Setting CNC laser profiling machines for production |
| SMME3/041A | Machining components using CNC laser profiling machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/046A | Setting CNC horizontal boring machines for production |
| SMME3/047A | Machining components using CNC horizontal boring machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/050A | Setting CNC machining centres for production |
| SMME3/051A | Machining components using CNC machining centres |
Pathway 2 – Composite Manufacture Engineering SMMEB
Learners must complete a further 2 mandatory assessment routes (a total of 5 units) for this pathway
| SMME3/083A | Producing composite assemblies |
| SMME3/088A | Identifying defects in composite mouldings |
Pathway 3 –Fitting and Assembly SMMEC
Learners must complete a further 3 optional assessment routes from Optional Group A (a total of 6 units) for this pathway
| SMME3/060A | Producing components using hand fitting techniques |
| SMME3/061A | Assembling mechanical products |
| SMME3/062A | Producing components by manual machining |
| SMME3/063A | Fitting fluid power components to mechanical assemblies |
| SMME3/064A | Fitting pipework systems to mechanical assemblies |
| SMME3/065A | Fitting electrical/electronic components to mechanical assemblies |
| SMME3/066A | Producing power turbine combustion assemblies |
| SMME3/067A | Producing power turbine compressor assemblies |
| SMME3/068A | Producing turbine assemblies |
| SMME3/069A | Producing power turbine gearbox assemblies |
| SMME3/070A | Producing power turbine major assemblies |
| SMME3/071A | Producing piston engine assemblies |
| SMME3/072A | Repairing and modifying mechanical assemblies |
| SMME3/073A | Checking that completed assemblies comply with specification |
Pathway 4 –Machine Tool Setting SMMED
Learners must complete one further mandatory assessment route plus 1 optional assessment route (a total of 5 units) for this pathway
The following mandatory assessment route must be completed
| SMME3/052A | Handing over machine tools to product ion operators |
Optional Group A – One optional assessment route must be completed
| SMME3/056A | Setting single and multi-spindle drilling machines for production |
| SMME3/059A | Setting power presses for production |
| SMME3/008A | Setting milling machines for production |
| SMME3/010A | Setting shaping, planning or slotting machines for production |
| SMME3/012A | Setting gear cutting machines for production |
| SMME3/020A | Setting electro-discharge machines for production |
| SMME3/022A | Setting grinding machines for production |
| SMME3/024A | Setting honing and lapping machines for production |
| SMME3/032A | Setting CNC turning machines for production |
| SMME3/034A | Setting CNC milling machines for production |
| SMME3/036A | Setting CNC grinding machines for production |
| SMME3/038A | Setting CNC punching machines for production |
| SMME3/040A | Setting CNC laser profiling machines for production |
| SMME3/050A | Setting CNC machining centres for production |
Pathway 5 –Machining SMMEE
Learners must complete a further 2 assessment routes from a functioning grouping from Group A (a total of 5 units) for this pathway
Group A : Two optional assessment routes must be completed
| SMME3/004A | Setting Centre lathes for production |
| SMME3/005A | Machining components using centre lathes |
| OR | |
| SMME3/006A | Setting turret lathes for production |
| SMME3/007A | Machining components using turret lathes |
| OR | |
| SMME3/008A | Setting milling machines for production |
| SMME3/009A | Machining components using milling machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/010A | Setting, shaping, planing or slotting machines for production |
| SMME3/011A | Machining components using shaping, planing or slotting machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/012A | Setting gear cutting machines for production |
| SMME3/013A | Machining components using gear cutting machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/016A | Setting horizontal boring machines for production |
| SMME3/017A | Machining components using horizontal boring machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/018A | Setting vertical boring machines for production |
| SMME3/019A | Machining components using vertical boring machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/020A | Setting electro-discharge machines for production |
| SMME3/021A | Machining components using electro discharge machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/022A | Setting grinding machines for production |
| SMME3/023A | Machining components using grinding machines |
| OR | |
| SMME3/024A | Setting honing and lapping machines for production |
| SMME3/025A | Machining components using honing and lapping machines |
Pathway 6 –Pipe Fitting and Assembly SMMEF
Learners must complete a further 3 optional assessment routes – 1 from Group A and 2 from Group B (a total of 6 units) for this pathway
Optional Group A : One optional assessment route must be completed
| SMME3/074A | Pipe bending and forming by hand methods |
| SMME3/075A | Pipe bending and forming using bending machines |
Optional Group B : Two optional assessment routes must be completed
| SMME3/076A | Assembling screwed pipework |
| SMME3/077A | Assembling small bore non-ferrous pipework |
| SMME3/078A | Assembling non-metallic pipework |
| SMME3/079A | Preparing and testing pipework systems |
| SMME3/080A | Producing cocket and flange fillet welding joints in pipe using a manual welding process |
Pathway 7 – Mechanical Overhaul and Test SMMEG
Learners must complete a further 3 optional assessment routes – 2 from Group A and 1 from Group B (a total of 6 units)
Optional Group A : Two optional assessment routes must be completed
| SMME3/100A | Slinging, lifting and moving equipment, components or materials for overhauling activities |
| SMME3/101A | Dismantling mechanical equipment in preparation for overhaul |
| SMME3/105A | Producing replacement components for overhauling activities |
Optional Group B : One optional assessment route must be completed
| SMME3/114A | Overhauling pump assemblies |
| SMME3/115A | Overhauling valve assemblies |
| SMME3/116A | Overhauling components of pneumatic, vacuum or compressed air equipment |
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 |