Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) NVQ Level 2
The course has been designed to give you an understanding of a wide range of engineering practices and allows you to develop a range of practical engineering skills, and safe and professional behaviours. If you are a person who enjoys learning by ‘doing’ and is more ‘hands on’ then this course is for you.
Alongside the practical lessons you will also study some underpinning theory to further develop your understanding of engineering processes, tools and equipment, the engineering environment, health and safety, engineering drawings etc.
The practical work aims to cover a range of engineering disciplines including mechanical, maintenance and fabrication engineering, and in some cases an understanding of basic electrical/electronic engineering.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 4 GCSE subjects at grade 3 ideally including English and Maths.
What will I study?
Typical units may include:
- Working Safely in an Engineering Environment (mandatory)
- Communicating Technical Information (mandatory)
- Working Efficiently and Effectively in Engineering (mandatory)
- Filing and Fitting Techniques
- Preparing and Using a Lathe
- Working with Sheet Metal
- MIG/MAG/Gas Welding
- Electrical Wiring and Testing
- Engineering Maintenance
- Pneumatics Systems and Maintenance
- Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD)
The number of units you will study will depend on whether you are studying GCSE English and/or Maths alongside this qualification, which you will do if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
Additional study
Alongside this course you will develop your numeracy and literacy skills by following GCSE English and/or Maths if you have not yet achieved a grade 4.
For those students who have already achieved a grade 4 in GCSE Maths and wish to try and improve this to a grade 5 or higher, it is also possible to study GCSE Higher Maths alongside this qualification.
Additional costs
Please be aware that you will need to provide your own steel toe capped footwear and overalls for use in the workshop, and engineering drawing equipment. Please note you will not be allowed into the workshops without appropriate footwear and overalls, however we will advise on a local supplier.
Method of delivery
The majority of units are practical skills-based, where you will be learning in a workshop or CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacture) suite. You will learn from demonstration and the application of your own skills, where you will be carrying out a range of activities, using a wide range of engineering tools and equipment. You will also write up the correct process for these activities to show your understanding. This is achieved in booklets which are specially designed for each unit.
Normally you will be in College for three days per week with any necessary GCSE English or Maths lessons built into these three days.
How will I be assessed?
Once you have completed your training tasks you will be assessed using a range of methods:
- Demonstration of competent practical skills (assessed tasks)
- Completion of the unit logbook
- Completion of underpinning knowledge questions
Good course combinations
This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, T Level, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.
Your next steps
Successful completion of this course can lead you on to the Level 3 Diploma in Engineering & Technology (which builds on your practical skills); or into a job or on to an apprenticeship. Alternatively, to take a more academic route, you will need GCSE grade 5 (or above) in Maths on the higher paper for progression on to our Level 3 Engineering & Manufacturing: Design & Development T Level.
“I chose to study this course because I’ve always been interested in learning physics and maths and it’s interesting how using different calculations can lead to the creation of a building. This course has helped me understand and experience how various different things can be built. The skills we learn are amazing.”
