JourneyApprenticeshipsHuman factors specialist

Human factors specialist

Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Engineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship

What it involves

The Human Factors Specialist apprenticeship at Level 7 trains you to apply the science of human performance, behaviour, and error to design safer, more efficient systems, workplaces, and organisations across sectors including aviation, nuclear, rail, healthcare, and defence. You will conduct human factors assessments, advise on control room and interface design, investigate incidents, and help organisations learn from errors. It leads to chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and senior advisory roles.

On the job

What you’ll learn

Human cognition, perception, attention, and decision-making under pressure
Task analysis, workload assessment, and human reliability analysis
Human-machine interface and control room design principles
Organisational safety culture, leadership, and Just Culture frameworks
Incident investigation using systematic human factors methodologies
Human factors in high-reliability and safety-critical industries
Applying ergonomics to physical workplace and equipment design
On the job

What you’ll do day to day

Conduct task analyses and workload assessments for critical roles
Evaluate control room and interface designs for usability and safety
Lead or contribute to human factors incident investigations
Advise engineering teams on human-centred design decisions
Develop and deliver human factors training for operational staff
Contribute to safety cases and regulatory submissions
Research and apply evidence-based human factors science to real problems
The deal

How this apprenticeship works

You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there

What you need to start

Level 7 (Degree (Master’s)) - roughly Master’s-degree level. Usually needs a relevant degree or Level 6 qualification, or significant experience.
What’s next: Leads into senior and chartered professional roles.

Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.

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What it’s really like

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