Food and drink process operators work in manufacturing, one of the largest and fastest growing sectors in the food and drink industry.

You could be employed by a company that specialises in one type of product, for example ready meals, soft drinks or confectionery; or in a company that makes a wide range of different products.

Your apprenticeship will be tailored depending on your place of work and you study principles of manufacturing practice, food safety and HACCP, maintaining product quality and health, safety and environmental standards.

What will I study?

• Advanced food and drink processing principles – including good manufacturing processes (GMP), multi-stage operations, standard operating procedures (SOPs), stock control and waste minimisation
• Advanced food and drink processing practices – including managing incidents, developing new products, implementing SOPs, routine and preventative maintenance and quality control testing
• Business management – including understanding business vision and values, internal and external customers and profitability and commercial awareness
• Continuous improvement – including using data and identifying trends and evaluating and improving productivity and performance
• Leadership and management – including building relationships, leading teams and by example, training, mentoring and buddying and communicating effectively at all levels
• Health and safety practices and legislation within a food production environment – including food safety, hygiene standards and hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP)
• Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications

How long will it take?

• 18 to 24 months depending on previous experience

What qualifications do I need to start?

• Preferably GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and Maths, or
• Level 2 Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Process Operator

What qualifications will I gain?

• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Process Operator
• Functional Skills or GCSE in English and Maths depending on previous qualifications

Course options after this programme

• Study a higher level apprenticeship or foundation degree

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COURSE COST?

Apprenticeships are funded through government and employer contributions. If you are:

• 16-18 working for a small business (<50) your training will be fully funded*
• 19+ or working for a Medium size business (50+) an employer contribution may be required
• Working for a large business or organisation (Payroll of £3m+) you training funded from your employers Digital Apprenticeship Service  Account

*small businesses who employ an apprentice between 16-18 may be eligible to receive a financial government incentive

TRANSPORT

Our college buses pick up over 1,400 students each day from a wide area. From September 2018 all college bus routes to Reaseheath will be FREE. To find a bus route near you visit the transport pages on our website.

HOW DO I APPLY?

If you have an employer and you would like to apply for an apprenticeship you can apply now online. You can also view our live vacancies or complete an online enquiry form and a member of the apprenticeship team will contact you.

For a step by step guide on the application process visit the how to apply pages on our website. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can find out more information about becoming an apprentice or employing an apprentice by visiting our website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO