Composites technician
Engineering and manufacturing
Level 3 -
Composite technicians produce polymer matrix composite components or final products to a specification.
Reference: OCC0094
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 8113/00 Chemical and related process operatives
- 3119/99 Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c.
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Aerotron, IMET, LM Wind Power, McLaren Racing, Multi-Ply, National Composites Centre, Teledyne CML Composites
Summary
Composite technicians work in the process manufacturing sector.
Composite components are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, furniture, marine, medical, motorsport, oil and gas, rail, and renewables industries and many more. Composite products include doors, prosthetic limbs, shower trays, and tennis rackets.
Composites combine polymeric resins (plastics) and a reinforcing material such as carbon fibre, glass fibre, or Kevlar to produce a material with improved properties. For example, increased strength or stiffness without significantly increasing the weight.
Composite technicians produce polymer matrix composite (thermoset and thermoplastics) components or final products to a specification. They may combine the composite elements or use a pre-prepared material to produce the product using a variety of moulding processes. The processes require manual dexterity and skills. Production tends to be in batches and conducted in small-scale production facilities. Quality and process control is part of the role. They conduct quality assurance processes, check equipment and tooling for future usability, complete documentation, and participate in improvement activities.
They work with other members of the manufacturing team. They also have contact with other functions for example, process engineers, maintenance engineers, laboratory staff, supply chain staff, and warehouse staff. They may also have contact with external people such as customers, service providers, suppliers, and regulators.
They must ensure that the process and products meet quality specifications and are produced to schedule. They must comply with health and safety, regulations and procedures including wearing personal protection equipment (PPE). They also need to meet environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures – minimising waste and recycling materials. They may work alone or as part of a team with minimal supervision. They are responsible for the quality and accuracy of their own work.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Aerotron, IMET, LM Wind Power, McLaren Racing, Multi-Ply, National Composites Centre, Teledyne CML Composites
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Complete composite pre-processing activities. For example, organise and prepare mould tools and materials.
Duty D2
Conduct composite processing activities following technical instructions.
Duty D3
Complete quality assurance processes. For example, conduct grading parameters checks (size, appearance, weight), and take samples for laboratory testing.
Duty D4
Check the composite processing equipment and tooling for future usability; make repairs or escalate.
Duty D5
Complete process manufacturing documentation - digital or paper based. For example, process and production records, traceability records, quality assurance records.
Duty D6
Conduct handover responsibilities - providing information to or receiving information from other shifts or maintenance teams.
Duty D7
Maintain the work area (housekeeping) following safety, environmental and risk management systems. Ensure waste is separated, segregated, and disposed of in accordance with environmental standards.
Duty D8
Participate in continuous improvement activities. For example, ways to contribute to achieving Net Carbon zero by focussing on reduction of unnecessary energy use and waste.
Duty D9
Participate in risk assessment activities.
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Engineering and manufacturing