Apprenticeships in the Lift & Escalator Industry

First thing’s first, you must be over 16, live in England and not be in full-time education. The rest varies depending on the employer. For a level 3 apprenticeship it’s usually three or four GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, and ideally include English, Maths, Science and Technology.

Check out the Employers page on this site and you can learn all about a diverse range of companies that hire Apprentices in our industry.

Most employers start taking applications between February and March and keep them open for a couple of months. Interviews happen over the summer for a September start. But some employers take applications all year round.

Every employer’s different. But it’s typically three stages; a paper application or CV, a phone or video call interview and then a final interview or assessment day.

Employers will be looking for people with a real interest in engineering and a curious mind. Any hobbies or work experience that show this will help. But don’t forget the basics – be on time, friendly and communicate well.

It can be anywhere between two and four years with three years as the average.

You’ll get paid at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices which is £4.30 per hour. This rate is for anyone under 16 or in their first year of apprenticeship. If you’re 19 or over and you’ve completed your first year, you’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage for your age.

About 40 hours per week, 9am-5pm, 5 days a week. You’ll spend most of your time out working with an experienced engineer with one day a week for study. You’re entitled to at least 20 days paid holiday a year plus bank holidays. Lift engineers often have to respond quickly, so sometimes you’ll need to work flexibly.

It’s a structured programme that involves studying with a training provider alongside hands-on learning. You’ll start with the basics – learning about the industry and different components – and then you’ll be able to put what you learn into practice. Most of your week will be spent out and about with an experienced engineer helping to install, maintain and repair lifts or escalators and moving walkways.

To become qualified there are three elements that you need to successfully complete.

1. Tailored ‘On Programme’ Training
   This is completed on the job and determined by your training needs. You’ll need to show you can perform well in the job and you’ve gained the practical skills your employer requires. These are based on the core apprenticeship standard and one of the four routes: Lift installation / Escalator and moving walk installation / Lift servicing and repair / Escalator and moving walk servicing and repair
2. Level 2 in English and Mathematics
   If not achieved prior to starting your apprenticeship, through your GCSEs for example, you must pass this before being able to progress to your End Point Assessment.
3. End Point Assessment
   This is the final sign of for the apprenticeship award. It contains 3 sections; a knowledge test, a presentation of a workplace project and a structured discussion.

You’ll get a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering and could also achieve technical certificates like BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Electrotechnical Technology. The qualification you get depends on the ‘On programme’ route used by your employer. You’ll also achieve the ‘Introduction and fundamentals of Lift Technology’ certificate Awarded by LEIA.

Firstly, enjoy the moment. It’s a brilliant achievement and you should feel good about earning it. Because they’ve invested so much in you, it’s very likely that your current employer will offer you a permanent job with a higher salary that suits your skills. You’ll also get a formal certificate of your qualification.

With the Level 3 Apprenticeship your learning journey’s really just beginning. You’ll continue to get on-the-job mentoring and experience and you can develop your skills in different specialisms. You could potentially go on to Higher Level 4 Apprenticeship which is the equivalent of a Degree.

The Lift and Escalator industry is the perfect place for people with ambition. As you gain more experience and qualifications, your opportunities to progress get bigger. You could take up a specialism or move into other areas of the industry like operations, sales or management. There’s no limit.

Your qualification makes you highly skilled and sought after and there are many employers in our sector. They all offer different things. Maybe you want to work abroad, or you’d like to specialise in a particular area or you want to work for a different sized company. It’s all there for you to explore. But it’s also a good idea to talk to your current employer about your ambitions, they’ve supported you up to this point so they’ll be keen to continue to help you grow.

Joining a professional organisation plugs you into a network of advice, news and opportunities in our industry. It also demonstrates your commitment to constantly improving your skills. You might want to check out LEIA, the Engineering Council and the Society of Operations Engineers.