Apprenticeship training course

Polymer processing technician (level 3)

Complete process manufacturing activities to produce polymer products to a specification.

• Qualification level: 3 ; Equivalent to A level.
• Typical duration: 36 months
• Apprenticeship category: Engineering and manufacturing
• Maximum funding: £25,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Injection moulding process technician
  • Injection moulding setter
  • Manufacturing technician
  • Polymer process setter
  • Polymer process technician
  • Polymer processing technician
  • Process technician
  • Production technician
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
  • Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
  • Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
  • Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
  • Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
  • Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
  • Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
  • Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
  • Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
  • Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
  • Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
  • Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
  • Start up manufacturing processes.
  • Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
  • Shut down manufacturing processes.
  • Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
  • Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
  • Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
  • Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
  • Identify process faults and resolve.
  • Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
  • Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
  • Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
  • Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
  • Present information.
  • Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
  • Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
  • Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.

Full information on Polymer processing technician (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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