UK first for British Steel apprentices #FireItUp

British Steel apprentices first in UK to achieve ‘Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician’ standard from the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service

British Steel apprentices are celebrating today after they successfully passed the ‘Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician’ (MOET) standard delivered by North Lindsey College and end-point assessed by the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS).

The 15 apprentices are the first cohort in England to pass their end-point assessment on MOET and take the next step in their career as fully qualified maintenance and operations engineering technicians.

The Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service is an employer-led, Government approved organisation that provides robust end-point assessment to confirm that apprentices can do the job they trained for in specialist, safety critical industries. The new apprenticeship standard was developed collaboratively with employers in utility and engineering sectors, meets rigorous employer needs and enables graduates to work across industries. 

Dr Jacqueline Hall, Associate Director of the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service, said:

“As we celebrate ‘National Apprenticeship Week’, we are delighted to see the first cohort achieve the high-standard required to pass their MOET end-point assessment.  Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technicians play an essential role across many different industries maintaining the safety, integrity and effective operation of plant and equipment. We have worked collaboratively with British Steel and their delivery partner, North Lindsey College, to support the amazing talent and deliver a quality assured, strong and credible apprentice assessment service.”

Cassandra Flanagan, Training & Capability Manager, Human Resources, at British Steel said:

“We are really pleased the apprentices have achieved such a high standard and it is a testament to all the work put in by North Lindsey College, British Steel Colleagues, the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service and above all the apprentices themselves.”  

Brenton Cummings, British Steel, said:

“Passing the MOET apprenticeship is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and I’m proud of my achievement. With the apprenticeship, I now have the opportunity to work with British Steel, have a well-paid job and the foundations to work my way up. The apprenticeship wasn’t easy but it was worth it, it has given me a real chance in life.”

North Lindsey College Principal, Mick Lochran, said:

“This is a great example of the college working with employers and the EUIAS as an end-point assessment provider to deliver innovative solutions that have a real impact on business.  We deliver a broad range of apprenticeship standards and the first apprentices going through end-point assessment are demonstrating that the College, apprentices and employers are really making it work.”

The Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service was the first end-point assessment organisation to have achievers on the new English apprenticeship standards. Since then, it has successfully assessed over 800 apprentices and continues to raise the bar of workforce competence and resilience, across all competitive markets and industries. 

The EUIAS offers end-point assessment on ten apprenticeship standards to meet the needs of engineering, manufacturing and utility industries. The industry leading quality assessment is based on practical experience of industry health, safety and environmental working practices, operational understanding of plant and equipment and superior knowledge of relevant engineering theories and principals.