Food and Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship

Year 1

The core knowledge that you will learn as an apprentice will be food processing/manufacturing and product knowledge (to meet company requirements eg dairy/confectionery/meat processing). Legislation and regulations in the food and drink industry, including an understanding of food safety, health and safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Threat Assessment Critical Control Point (TACCP), Vulnerability Assessment Critical Control Point (VACCP). Basic principles of sustainability and environmental legislation. The impact of customer requirements and demands on the food supply chain. The key principles of cleaning and hygiene processes covering both Cleaning in Place (CIP) and cleaning out of place systems. The key principles of quality management systems and processes. The key principles of Continuous Improvement (CI) Management. Materials science, including the key features of raw materials, their uses in food production and types of equipment used to process them. Types of best practice maintenance approaches and techniques in the food and drink industry. The principles of fault finding techniques. The operation of mechanical equipment in the food and drink industry. How to produce replacement components. The function of fluid power systems and the operation of heat exchange equipment.

The principles of cutting and welding in the food and drink industry. Principles of electrical systems, including their uses, safety and legislation. Services and utility knowledge, including the importance and impact of energy management and pollution control in food production.
You will learn core skills on this programme to be able to plan and prepare for maintenance of engineered systems in the food and drink industry. You will learn how to perform first line routine mechanical maintenance, including removing and replacing components, cleaning, lubrication, inspection and fault finding. You will learn to apply ‘best practice’ techniques, including condition monitoring and proactive maintenance. You will produce replacement components, using manual and machine processes and maintain fluid power systems and weld stainless steel and other materials used in food production equipment. You will learn how to perform first line electrical maintenance, including testing, fault finding, repairing and replacing components and apply mathematical techniques to solve engineering problems

You will be required to cover the following behaviours safe working: ensure safety of self and others, food safe, challenges safety issues. Ownership of work: accepts responsibility, is proactive, plans work. Pride in work: integrity, aims for excellence, time management. Self-development: links own objectives to support the business, seeks learning and development opportunities. Integrity and respect: for colleagues, good communication with managers. Working in a team: builds good relationships with others. Problem-solving: takes responsibility until a solution is reached, challenges others, works to solve the root cause of problems. Responsiveness to change: flexibility to changing environment and demands. Company/industry perspective: knowledge of company and food industry, acts as an ambassador. Effective communication: with colleagues/managers, in writing, visually and verbally.

In addition to the core skills, knowledge and behaviours, food and drink maintenance engineers will demonstrate specialist additional skills and knowledge from either the mechanical or multi-skilled options.