MP Skills welcomes UK industry apprenticeship reform
The transition from Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) to new single and dual-discipline pathways
THE UK extractives and mineral processing industry is entering a pivotal phase in workforce development as the Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician (MOET) apprenticeship is formally withdrawn.
Replacing it are two new, more specialized standards designed to meet the needs of modern, increasingly complex industrial environments:
Engineering Maintenance Technician – Single Discipline (ST1426) Specializes in electrical, mechanical, or control and instrumentation
Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline (ST1443) Develops broader expertise across interconnected engineering systems.
Neil Peacock, general manager of MP Skills, said: ‘These new pathways reflect a step-change in how engineering skills are developed, ensuring future technicians are equipped for the challenges of contemporary manufacturing, processing, and maintenance operations.’
As industry evolves with more complex systems, focused skills will be needed. The new standards allow apprentices to specialize deeply in a single discipline or develop dual-discipline capability for working across integrated systems. This gives employers access to technicians with the right balance of technical depth and cross-functional adaptability.
‘The new options will aid safety and efficiency and future-proof our workforce, equipping them with technical, digital diagnostics and sustainable skills,’ added Mr Peacock.
The new standards have been developed so that the new pathways are aligned with real-world operational demands across manufacturing, energy, utilities, logistics, and mineral processing.
Apprentices trained through these routes will be job-ready from day one and able to support employers in meeting ESG commitments and future workforce strategy needs as sectors adapt to cleaner, smarter, and more resilient operations.
