Whether you are starting out in the Non-Destructive Testing industry, changing careers, or looking to upskill in your current role, our structured apprenticeship programme will help you develop the skills and knowledge that apply to multiple engineering sectors. Our programme can help you gain internationally recognised certification to advance your career even further.

Our team of 27 industry certified trainers are on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the apprenticeship journey. We offer a blend of bespoke training and support at the workplace, remote online learning options, as well as hands-on practical tuition at our purpose-built training facilities.

Level 2 NDT Operator Apprenticeship

The Level 2 NDT Operator Apprenticeship takes around 14 – 18 months to complete and includes one NDT method of your choice at Level 2 (PCN or EN4179).

An NDT Operator will work as part of an inspection team, undertaking NDT methods to pre-defined NDT work instructions and reporting their findings through quality management processes.

The apprenticeship standard focuses on Quality Assurance, Health and Safety, Project Management and Leadership as well as providing the apprentice with the following skills:

  • Ability to apply inspection techniques in one method
  • Health and safety competencies to the relevant NDT methods
  • Working within limitation of standard tests and measurements as well as in accordance with written work instructions
  • Recording inspection findings and present results to NDT Technicians and Operators
  • Operating equipment within its capabilities and limitations

Initial Assessment and Enrolment

Our delivery team is committed to ensuring that our apprentices are well-equipped to thrive in their chosen discipline. Prior to enrolment, we conduct assessments to evaluate your prior learning and experience to determine eligibility for our programme.

Ideally apprentices should hold a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4 (or equivalent) including English and Maths. Apprentices without Level 2 Maths and/or English aged 16-18 will have to complete an English and Maths functional skills qualification.

Apprentices without Level 2 Maths and/ or English who begin training aged 19 or older have the option to complete their Functional Skills. They will be supported by our Functional Skills specialist who will provide additional training during the programme.

All apprentices must satisfy the industry minimum vision requirement and will have to undergo a visual acuity and colour perception test.

Apprenticeship Delivery

  • A tailored training programme will be created to suit employers’ and apprentices individual needs, providing the apprentices with the knowledge, skills and NDT method relevant to the workplace.
  • Our flexible delivery model will include work based training and mentoring, online learning, tutorials, seminars, Maths and English teaching and assessments, Health & Safety training, remote support, practical work experience sessions and off-site training at our training facilities in Rotherham and Sheffield.
  • Every Apprentice will be allocated a dedicated training tutor who visits the workplace monthly. They will support the apprentice with learning and skills development, project choice, presentation and preparation for the end point assessment as well as offering guidance throughout.
  • Networking opportunities with other apprentices on programme.
  • Apprentices who require additional help with Maths and English will be given support from our dedicated Functional Skills trainer.

Below is an example of what the ‘typical’ delivery could look like, however all delivery models are individualised to your learning needs. During enrolment, you will get your own personalised Delivery Model detailing the training and activities required to complete for your learning journey.

NDT Certification

Lavender International will provide the chosen specific NDT Method Training and Examinations when the apprentice is ready to undertake their NDT training. This will take place in one of our dedicated training centres in Rotherham or Sheffield.

The following Level 2 methods are available under this apprenticeship:

  • Magnetic Testing
  • Visual Testing
  • Penetrant Testing
  • Ultrasonic Testing
  • Radiography
  • Eddy Current Testing

Portfolio of Evidence

To demonstrate to your manager and tutor that you have understood the
necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours for your job, you must collect
evidence in a portfolio.

This portfolio will be built over the course of your apprenticeship and
submitted for your endpoint assessment.

Evidence can consist of the following:

  • CV, CPD record
  • Gantt chart, award certificates, witness testimony, manager colleague feedback
  • H&S such as toolbox talks, risk assessments, training certificates
  • 3000 word project report, mindmap, plan, draft and final version
  • Powerpoint Presentation on the project report
  • NDT method training certificate and work experience, as well as product technology online course

You can view the apprentice handbook here.

End Point Assessment

To successfully complete the Level 2 NDT Operator apprenticeship, the apprentice must pass the End Point Assessment. This compromises of an independent assessment consisting of:

Portfolio review of evidence and achievements – This may include records of formal training, log book of experience, inspection reports, 3000 word project report, employer appraisals and CPD records.
Project presentation – The apprentice will have to present their findings from their project to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Apprenticeship Standard.
Observational interview – Carried out by a panel of Engineering specialists who will assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours gained during the apprenticeship, health and safety knowledge and testing the portfolio of evidence.

The team will discuss an independent End Point Assessment Organisation with the employer at the initial engagement stage.

For more details on the apprenticeship delivery model, contact

apprenticeships@lavender-ndt.com

Career opportunities after the apprenticeship

Our recent apprentice survey found that over 92% of respondents believe the apprenticeship has had a positive or significant impact on their career progression, opening the door to exciting opportunities across the NDT industry. Many of our apprentices choose to build long term careers in the sector, progressing into roles such as:

  • NDT Tank Technician
  • Quality Engineer
  • NDT Technician
  • Training in new NDT methods
  • Studying towards the Level 3 Non Destructive Technologies Technician

Level 3 Non-Destructive Technologies Technician

The Level 3 Non-Destructive Technologies Technician Apprenticeship takes around 24 to 28 months to complete and includes three NDT methods of your choice at Level 2 (PCN or EN4179), including at least one complex method.

The role of the Non-Destructive Technologies Technician involves supervisory responsibility of NDT Operators. They will oversee, validate and audit inspections of NDT operators and manage projects through to completion.

The apprenticeship standard focuses on Quality Assurance, Health and Safety, Project Management and Leadership, as well as providing the apprentice with the following skills:

  • Managing projects and the co-ordination and supervision of NDT operators
  • Ability to apply inspection techniques in three methods
  • Selecting appropriate methods of inspection and understanding their limitations
  • Conducting inspection audits, evaluating NDT data reports and applying solutions to engineering problems
  • Following written procedures and implementing quality control and assurance of NDT systems

Initial Assessment and Enrolment

Our delivery team is committed to ensuring that our apprentices are well-equipped to thrive in their chosen discipline. Prior to enrolment, we will conduct assessments to evaluate your prior learning and experience to determine eligibility for our programme.

Ideally apprentices should have a minimum of three GCSEs at grade 4 (or equivalent) including English and Maths. For Apprentices under 19 who hold Level 1 Maths and/or English or below will need to achieve their Level 2 Maths and/or English Functional Skills. They will be referred to our Functional Skills Tutor who will create a bespoke delivery model tailored to the individuals needs.

For Apprentices who are over the age of 19 but do not hold the relevant English or Maths GCSEs, they will be encouraged to register for functional skills as this will support their NDT technical training.

All apprentices must satisfy the minimum vision requirement and will have to undergo a visual acuity and colour perception test.

Apprenticeship Delivery

  • A tailored training programme will be created to suit employers’ and apprentices individual needs, providing the apprentices with the knowledge, skills and NDT method relevant to the workplace.
  • Our flexible delivery model will include work based training and mentoring, online learning, tutorials, seminars, Maths and English teaching and assessments, Health & Safety training, remote support, practical work experience sessions and off-site training at our training facilities in Rotherham and Sheffield.
  • Every Apprentice will be allocated a dedicated training mentor who visits the workplace monthly. They will support the apprentice with teaching, learning and skills development, project choice, presentation, and preparation for the end point assessment as well as offering guidance throughout.
  • Networking opportunities with other apprentices on the programme.
  • Apprentices who require additional help with Maths and English will be given support from our dedicated Functional Skills trainer.

Below is an example of what the ‘typical’ delivery could look like, however all delivery models are individualised to your learning needs. During enrolment, you will get your own personalised Delivery Model detailing the training and activities required to complete for your learning journey.

NDT Certification

Lavender International provides the NDT Training and Examinations when the apprentice is ready to undertake their NDT training. For the Level 3 Non Destructive Technologies Technician Apprenticeship, apprentices will be expected to undertake their first conventional method certification within 7 months. The second conventional method will be taken at the end of year 1 and the final advanced method examination will be taken during the Endpoint Assessment.

The following Level 2 methods are available under this apprenticeship:

  • Magnetic Testing
  • Visual Testing
  • Penetrant Testing
  • Ultrasonic Testing
  • Radiography
  • Eddy Current Testing
  • Phased Array

Portfolio of Evidence

To demonstrate to your manager and tutor that you have understood the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours for your job, you must collect evidence in a portfolio.

This portfolio will be built over the course of your apprenticeship and submitted for your endpoint assessment.

Evidence can consist of the following:

  • CV, CPD record
  • Gantt chart, award certificates, witness testimony, manager colleague feedback
  • H&S such as toolbox talks, risk assessments, training certificates
  • Improvement plan, mindmap, plan, draft and final version
  • NDT method training certificates and work experience hours, product technology online course, inspection reports, written instructions

You can view the Level 3 Non-Destructive Technologies apprentice handbook here.

End Point Assessment

To successfully complete the Apprenticeship, the apprentice must pass the End Point Assessment. This compromises of an independent assessment consisting of:

Portfolio review of evidence and achievements – This may include records of formal training, inspection reports, improvement plan, work experience hours, CPD, awards, H&S certificates, employer reports and feedback.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence – The apprentice will have to answer questions that will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the Apprenticeship Standard.
Level 2 complex non-destructive technologies qualification – They will be an assessment that examines the theory and practical tests associated with PCN or EN4179 Level 2 Complex Method.

For more details on the apprenticeship delivery model, contact apprenticeships@lavender-ndt.com 

Career opportunities after the apprenticeship

Our recent apprentice survey found that over 92% of respondents believe the apprenticeship has had a positive or significant impact on their career progression, opening the door to exciting opportunities across the NDT industry. Many of our apprentices choose to build long-term careers in the sector, progressing into roles such as:

  • NDT Manufacturing Engineer
  • Lead Field Technician
  • NDT Technician
  • Training in new NDT methods
  • Studying towards the Level 6 NDT Engineer

Apprenticeship Commitment

Your responsibilities and commitment to the programme will include:
• Attend training sessions and track your progress: Participate in all scheduled training sessions and make sure to document evidence needed for your of f-the-job training.
• Engage in learning activities: Take part in the learning tasks within each module, including self-directed study and any research.
• Complete coursework and assessments: Finish all coursework, assignments, and exams required for the successful completion of your apprenticeship.
• Participate in progress review meetings: Attend regular progress meetings and contribute actively to discussions on your development.
• Communicate any challenges: Let your manager or tutor know about any concerns, including learning support needs or welfare concerns, that could impact your training plan.

Off-the-job Hours

Off-the-job training is defined as learning that takes place outside of your regular day-to- day work duties and directly contributes to completing your apprenticeship.

Your whole apprenticeship journey is fully mapped out and planned with activities you will be expected to complete during the course of your apprenticeship programme. It is essential that off-the-job training is recorded monthly as without the required hours, you cannot proceed through to Endpoint Assessment.

Activities may include:

  • Shadowing other staff
  • Writing your project report or improvement plan
  • Online learning modules
  • H&S training courses, creating risk assessments, toolbox talks
  • NDT courses, inspection reports, written instructions

Safeguarding and Welfare

At Lavender International, we are committed to the wellbeing and safety of all of our apprentices.

The Designated Safeguarding lead is Julie Goodfellow.

With over 25 years of experience working in the skills and education sector, Julie is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Prevent Single Point of Contact for Lavender International apprenticeship provision. She leads on ensuring that all our apprentices are safe and well, through policies and procedures, staff training and developing resources to support our apprentices and staff on a range of wellbeing topics.

Apprenticeship Team

All staff are trained in safeguarding, welfare and Prevent. During the programme, apprentices receive regular welfare checks as part of the review process and monthly hot topics discussed.

For Apprentices 

All our apprentices will work closely with their tutors to support them throughout their apprenticeship journey and will always be their first point of contact should they need help with anything that may be affecting their programme. Apprentices may be signposted to external agencies. They can also access a range of information on our Smart Assessor platform, where they can access advice and self-help on a range of topics, including mental health, finances, relationships, online safety and more.

Apprenticeship Policies

To enrol on the apprenticeship scheme you must find an employer who is hiring for an apprentice. Please use the government website or our website to search for available jobs. We work with over 60 employers across England that are recruiting all year round. Enrol anytime!

Start your apprenticeship journey with us today.

Employer commitment

During the programme it will be the employer’s responsibility to provide the apprentices with the supervised work experience for NDT certification as well as providing the apprentice time to complete the off-the-job training requirement.

An employer must be prepared to provide the apprentice with the opportunity to carry out work and be part of projects which will enable the learner to produce substantial evidence towards their end point assessment. View the attached options for the schemes we offer here.

As an employer you need to agree that you will:

  • Employ apprentice(s) for a minimum of 30 hours per week whether they are new or existing employees.
  • Pay at least the national minimum wage for apprentices.
  • Induct the apprentice and support their off-the-job training by utilising the skills and knowledge that exist in the workforce to deliver to the apprentice new skills that are directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard.
  • Be involved in reviewing the progress of an apprentice.
  • Our delivery team will schedule a progress review every 10 weeks with the employer and apprentice to ensure the successful progression of the apprentice.
  • Management meetings every quarter to assess the apprentices progress.

This ensures continued and positive progress through the apprenticeship. It will also provide the opportunity to discuss how additional enrichment activities can be incorporated into the programme to develop the learner further.

To find out about the employer responsibilities and commitment to signing up an apprentice, see our Apprenticeship Employer Guide.

Apprenticeship incentives information:

Non-Levy employers

Employers who do not contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy will only have to contribute 5% of the overall cost of training and assessing an apprentice. The government will pay the rest of the Apprenticeship cost direct to Lavender International up to the funding band maximum. A payment schedule will be agreed prior to enrolment.

If you employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs if the apprentice is aged between 16 – 18. Other apprenticeship funding initiatives are available here.

Additional costs may apply dependent on the number of advanced methods selected as part of the apprenticeship programme.

Levy employers

Employers with a wage bill of more than £3 million, pay the Apprenticeship Levy. The government tops up all levy payments by 10%. The funds in your digital account can then be used to access a wide range of Apprenticeship training opportunities.

Once the apprentice is on programme, the funding will be drawn from the employers digital account every month and paid direct to Lavender International. The government tops up all levy payments by 10%. If you want to put more learners on programme than the funds in your digital account you only have to pay 5% of the difference, the government will fund the rest.

Additional costs may apply dependant on the number and type of advanced methods selected as part of the apprenticeship programme.

“The Apprenticeship Team has offered great communication, and our apprentices are back on track after the difficulties of losing our previous provider.” — Mandy Weir, Applus  

“The set-up of the new technician’s scheme with Lavenders was brilliant… they were very helpful, planning and rearranging their elements of the training around our emerging needs. In the first year of delivery, a very responsive and strong partnership has been formed, with an exceptional level of service provided. The team understands student progress, and their expertise has been evident.” — Sam Tulloch Head of NDT, Rolls Royce Submarines 

For more information about funding, contact apprenticeships@lavender-ndt.com

Read our full Employer Guide here.

Apprentice Welfare

As an employer, if you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your apprentice, please get in touch with your tutor, who will be able to advise you on how Lavender International can help. Employers/Line managers/mentors will receive support on how they can build a positive relationship with their apprentice to support them through their programme, ensuring the requirements of the apprenticeship are met, along with any other pastoral or neurodiverse needs they may have.

Advice and Guidance

Please remember, if you are concerned about the immediate safety of your apprentice, or they are at risk of serious harm, contact 999 for the appropriate services. Some other useful links include:

  1. Mind – covering a range of mental health challenges, including financial difficulty, loneliness, mental health at work, LGBTQIA+, sleep and stress.
  2. NSPCC – advice and support for young people and parents on a range of safeguarding and welfare topics.

Emergency Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Julie Goodfellow E: julie.goodfellow@lavenderndt.com or safeguarding@lavender-ndt.com

DFE Contact Information
Telephone: 0370 000 2288
Email: SDE.servicedesk@education.gov.uk

BINDT

Tel: +44 (0)1604 438300
Fax: +44 (0)1604 438301
Email: apprenticeships@bindt.org

Apprenticeship Policies

Apprenticeship registration

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