Multi Skilled Food Factory Apprentice

Apprenticeship Programme Overview

Years 1–4 Development Pathway

Year 1 Apprentices

Your first year will focus on foundational learning and developing core engineering skills, both in college and on-site.

Typical Activities:

• Attend college in accordance with your programme schedule:
• During college holidays:
  • You are expected to attend the site unless pre-arranged leave is approved by your manager.

Subjects Typically Covered:

• Basics of mechanical and electrical maintenance
• Fabrication and welding
• Electrical wiring, installation, and testing
• Bench fitting
• CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
• Advanced maths and science (as required)

On-Site Supervised Activities:

• Observe breakdown responses and learn how problems are diagnosed and resolved to maintain production flow.
• Observe daily maintenance of:
  • Slicing machines
  • Packaging machines
  • Retail machines, including labellers, pneumatics, nitrogen equipment, air blasts, and steam cookers
  • Vacuum packing machines, vacuum pumps, and film over-wrapping machines
• Support the hygienic strip-down and supervised rebuild of machinery.
• Learn the basics of maintaining and servicing temperature control equipment.

Professional Conduct:

• Always act as a site ambassador, behaving professionally and courteously with both internal and external stakeholders.

Recognition:

• Achievements such as “Apprentice of the Year” will be acknowledged and rewarded by the company.

Years 2–4 Apprentices

As you gain experience and qualifications, you will take on increasing levels of responsibility and independence.

Year 2 Apprentices

Developing Confidence and Technical Understanding

• Support breakdown responses under supervision; begin taking an active role in problem resolution.
• Assist in daily maintenance (under supervision) of:
  • Packaging machines
  • Retail machines (labellers, pneumatics)
• Observe maintenance of:
  • Slicing machines
  • Retail equipment (nitrogen systems, air blasts, steam cookers)
• Involvement with vacuum packing machines, vac pumps, and film over-wrapping machines.
• Support machine strip-downs and take responsibility for supervised rebuilds after cleaning.
• Assist in maintenance/servicing of temperature control equipment.
• Begin working with multiple operational teams, learning how engineering supports business operations.
• Learn to monitor performance using team and individual KPIs.
• Shadow the Site Services Engineer to understand broader factory engineering systems.
• Gain familiarity with engineering inventory systems and workshop/store management.
• Always maintain a professional and courteous attitude.

Year 3 Apprentices

Gaining Independence and Broadening Scope

• Attend all mechanical breakdowns independently; if unresolved within 15 minutes, escalate to Supervisor.
• Carry out daily maintenance independently on:
  • Packaging, retail, and slicing machines
  • Air blast and steam cooker equipment
  • Vacuum packing systems, vac pumps, and film over-wrapping machines
• Under supervision, assist with breakdowns on:
  • Slaughter line equipment
  • Chain-driven monorails
  • Nitrogen systems
  • Electrical systems, including PLCs, inverters, and control circuits
• Perform hygiene-based machine strip-down and rebuilds.
• Maintain and service temperature control equipment independently.
• Continue collaborating with operational teams and tracking performance via KPIs.

Year 4 Apprentices

Working Autonomously and Driving Improvements

• Attend to all breakdowns independently to ensure continued production.
• Perform full maintenance activities on:
  • Slicing and packaging equipment
  • Slaughter line systems and chain-driven monorails
  • Full range of retail machinery (labellers, pneumatics, nitrogen, air blast, steam)
  • Vacuum packers, pumps, and film wrappers
  • Electrical systems (PLC’s, inverters, stop/start circuits)
• Maintain and service all temperature control systems.
• Proactively identify and propose departmental improvements.
• Undertake other reasonable tasks to support the smooth running of the engineering department.
• Be a role model for professional and courteous behaviour with all internal and external stakeholders.