Apprenticeships

Responsibilities of a Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineer include:

• Responding proactively to customer needs by visiting client sites with a mobile workshop, delivering exceptional customer service, and maintaining professional communication at all times.
• Adapting to a range of working environments, including major overhaul centres, customer locations, or field service settings, managing time effectively across a designated geographical area.
• Demonstrating up-to-date technical skills and knowledge while adhering to safety procedures and environmental regulations.
• Diagnosing and repairing or replacing faulty electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components.
• Performing routine servicing and safety checks on all vehicle and unit applications.
• Conducting post-inspection tasks, including test driving and final adjustments, troubleshooting issues, or optimising performance using diagnostic equipment, such as laptops or handheld tools.
• Maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing internal combustion engines, engine management systems, and fuel systems, including LPG and diesel fuel injection systems.
• Repairing and diagnosing drive trains, including hydrostatic transmissions, power-shift systems, final drive units, and AC/DC drive motors.
• Adjusting and repairing complex mast configurations, including lift chains, fork arms, and attachments.
• Maintaining and replacing chassis auxiliary systems and rollover protective structures.

Knowledge

A Lift Truck and MEWP Engineer must have knowledge of the following:

• Company and customer policies, procedures, and safety protocols when working in various environments.
• The tools and equipment required for each specific application within the lift truck profession.
• Fabrication techniques, including soldering, electric and gas welding, electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic connections and fastenings.
• Metal composition identification, as well as skills in filing, hacksawing, drilling, thread tapping, grinding, and crack detection.
• The safety precautions associated with mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic tools, lubricants, and specialised equipment.
• The maintenance, testing, and manoeuvring functions of lift trucks and MEWPs for operational purposes.
• Advanced technical knowledge in electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic components, including repair, operation, and diagnostic procedures for all types of complex lift trucks and MEWPs.
• Manufacturer specifications and customer requirements, along with the ability to access, interpret, and apply information using systematic techniques for logical fault-finding and verifying the functionality and performance of complex lift trucks.
• Understanding lift truck and MEWP on-board diagnostics, truck communication systems, and the ability to set up lift truck configurations to meet customer-specific needs.

Skills

A Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineer must be able to:

• Safely carry out jacking and blocking procedures, selecting and using the appropriate lifting and blocking equipment (toe/jacks, hydraulic jacks, and blocks).
• Use proper lifting equipment (chains, slings, shackles) when removing heavy lift truck and MEWP components, following working-at-height procedures in line with relevant health and safety legislation.
• Interpret electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic schematic diagrams, flowcharts, and manufacturer’s technical data to ensure correct system functionality.
• Perform comprehensive preventative maintenance on complex lift trucks and MEWPs, adhering to manufacturer specifications.
• Inspect, diagnose, and repair electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems, including 24/48/80-volt lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.
• Diagnose and repair vehicle charging systems, fuel cells, and electrical/electronic wiring and safety circuits.
• Troubleshoot and rectify motor control circuits, including thyristor control (SCR), transistor and separately excited motor control (SEM) systems, and AC motor and inverter control.
• Test and interpret Control Area Network (CAN Bus) diagnostics.
• Inspect, diagnose, and repair electrical braking and steering systems, including brake regeneration systems.
• Install and calibrate automated wire-guided and in-aisle warehouse lift trucks, along with navigation systems.
• Maintain, install, and repair lift truck and MEWP telematics and robotic systems.
• Inspect, repair, and diagnose hydraulic components using pressure gauges, flow meters, and onboard computer/laptop diagnostic tools.
• Diagnose and repair hydraulic/electrical proportional control valves, performing breakout calibration of individual valves.
• Calibrate electronic controllers and understand the importance of safety devices and systems.
• Adjust parameters in accordance with manufacturer specifications, customer requirements, industry standards, and relevant health and safety regulations.

Behaviours

A Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineer must demonstrate the following behaviours:

• Safety Consciousness: Aware of the hazards associated with lift truck and MEWP operations, maintaining a disciplined approach to ensure a safe working environment.
• Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, flexible, diligent, and trustworthy, consistently upholding positive work principles.
• Commitment to Health and Safety: Dedicated to health and safety standards, adhering to both employer and industry requirements.
• Willingness to Learn: Actively engages in continuous professional development (CPD) to expand knowledge and skills.
• Self-Motivation: Embraces challenges, takes initiative, sets personal targets, and works diligently to achieve goals.
• Adaptability: Open and positive toward changing technologies, work environments, and evolving situations.
• Personal Responsibility: Highly motivated to complete tasks successfully, demonstrating a drive for achievement and responsibility.
• Quality Focused: Follows policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, ensuring adherence to approved engineering principles and maintaining high standards.
• Professional Conduct: Represents the company with respect by maintaining a polite demeanour, wearing corporate work attire, ensuring good personal hygiene, caring for company property, keeping vehicles clean, and leading by example with a “can-do” attitude.

Entry Requirements

Employers will establish their own specific entry requirements.

Qualifications

Apprentices who do not have a Level 2 in English and Maths will need to achieve this level before completing the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health, and care plan or legacy statement, the minimum requirement for English and Maths is Entry Level 3. Additionally, British Sign Language qualifications can serve as an alternative for apprentices whose primary language is sign language.

Duration

Typically 36 months, although this may vary based on relevant prior experience or qualifications.

Professional registration

Upon completing the apprenticeship, the standard is designed to be recognised by relevant Professional Engineering Institutions, such as the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) at the appropriate professional registration level (Eng.Tech.), and the Institute of the Motor Industry at the corresponding registration level.

Level

This apprenticeship is set at Level 3.

Review date

This apprenticeship standard will be reviewed three years after its approval.