Bulk storage technicians operate the storage of bulk products.
Bulk storage terminal technicians work in bulk storage terminals.
Bulk storage terminals provide storage and logistics infrastructure services. They provide an essential link in the supply chain for a large variety of products including transport and heating fuels, gasses, chemicals, and food-grade products such as animal feeds and fats, oils, and molasses. Bulk storage terminals provide and support an essential interface between sea, road, rail, waterway, and pipeline logistics and are strategically located in ports and airports, logistic platforms, along rivers, canals, and pipelines. Bulk storage ensures that products are supplied when they are needed and in the quantities required. Many terminals are designated as critical national infrastructure by the UK Government - necessary for a country to function and upon which daily life depends.
As national and international efforts to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions become ever more important, the bulk storage sector will continue to grow in the coming years. From helping to unlock the potential of hydrogen, to the scale up of sustainable biofuels, the industry will have a key role to play in energy transition.
A terminal may provide third party storage or store their own products. They could store a single product or multiple products. They may provide supplementary services such as blending, packaging, canning, drum filling, water treatment and analysis, warehousing, and bonded alcohol storage.
Safety is a top concern for bulk storage companies. The Health and Safety Executive, Environmental Agencies, and other industry regulators inspect employers. The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations applies to some terminals.
Bulk storage terminal technicians operate the import and export of bulk products and conduct monitoring, treatment, and quality assurance during its storage. The transfer of products can be to or from ship, via pipelines, to or from road or rail tankers, or from tank to tank. Maintaining workplace health, safety, and environmental compliance is a vital part of the role. They will also conduct preventative maintenance, prepare equipment for shut-down, and reinstate it. They are often required to work outdoors. They need to wear specialist personal protective equipment (PPE) and may work at height or in confined spaces. They may be required to work shifts.
On a daily basis, they work with other members of the operations team, suppliers, and customers. They also have contact with other departments within the company for example, maintenance engineers and laboratory staff. They may work alone and as part of a team.
They are responsible for ensuring that the service meets regulatory and customer requirements. They must follow industry health, safety, environmental, and sustainability working practices. Quality, security, contract conditions and product requirements must also be met. They work with minimal supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work they undertake.
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 30 months. The EPA period is typically 3 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:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 60 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.
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
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.Reasonable adjustments
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 Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for Engineering Technician (EngTech). Upon successful completion of an IChemE approved apprenticeship and upon receipt of the apprenticeship certificate, individuals are eligible to apply through a shortened application route for registration as EngTech. The shortened application route will need to confirm that the threshold for underpinning knowledge and understanding has been met. Individuals also need to be a member of a professional body, such as IChemE, that is licensed by the Engineering Council to be awarded this status. Further information is on the Institution of Chemical Engineers website.
Please contact the professional body for more details.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery. | 17/10/2024 | Not set |
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