Lead and manage underground mining operations.
This occupation is found in underground mining operations across the whole of the UK mining sector. The occupation is relevant to small and large operations, and applicable regardless of the mineral produced. The employers range in size from large multi-nationals, employing more than 10,000 people to small privately owned operations who employ fewer than 10 people. Apprentices will have transferrable skills that can be used across organisations, these organisations are not limited to mine operations, but can expand to include key suppliers, specialist consultants and those with the responsibilities for other services such as mines rescue (required under Regulation 53 of the Mines Regulations 2014)
The broad purpose of the occupation is to lead and manage underground mining operations, in a way that is safe, sustainable, ecologically, and socially acceptable, recognising the essential part that these raw materials have on maintaining and improving the fabric of society and everyday lives. This includes ensuring the operation is managed in line with strict regulatory requirements using appropriate technical mining competencies. Underground mine management is managing the extraction of minerals from mines for commercial purposes.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a range of internal departments and individuals. These can include safety managers, production managers, development managers, transport and infrastructure managers, product preparation or processing managers, finance managers, HR managers, owners or directors, shafts and winding engineers, engineering managers and mechanical engineering or electrical engineering functions. The occupation can also include interaction with specialist roles (for example geotechnical engineering, ventilation engineering, geologists and surveyors), ensuring that necessary support and advice is available and utilised as part of the mine planning and safe operating process. The apprentice may also be required to interact with various external organisations, such as suppliers (including specialist service organisations), trade organisations, engineering service providers, engineering manufacturers, regulators, and the emergency services. In this role the apprentice would be both office and site based within the mine on a frequent basis.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the management of a highly regulated major hazard sector for people, projects, operations, and the hazards which are unique to an underground environment to deliver long term organisational business success, with the professional recognition of their ability to deliver impact, whilst acting in a sound ecological and socially acceptable way.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 48 months. The EPA period is typically 6 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
When you pass the EPA, you will be awarded your apprenticeship certificate.
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Project with report
You will complete a project and write a report. The title and scope must be agreed with the EPAO at the gateway. The report should be a maximum of 6500 words (with a 10% tolerance).
You will have 12 weeks to complete the project and submit the business case to the EPAO.
You need to prepare and give a presentation to an independent assessor. Your presentation slides and any supporting materials should be submitted at the same time as the project output. The presentation with questions will last at least 60 minutes. The independent assessor will ask at least 5 questions about the project and presentation. The EPAO will confirm where and when each assessment method will take place.
Professional discussion
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 75 minutes. They will ask you at least 6 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
This apprenticeship aligns with Incorporated Engineer (IEng) for Institute of Minerals, Mining and Metallurgy
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 29/09/2022 | Not set |
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