Food and Drink Apprenticeship Qualifications
Food And Drink Process Operator
Level 2
Duration: Typically, 15 months (this does not include EPA period)
This occupation is found in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
Companies range in size, from small to large. They may produce one type of food and drink product or a range of products. Products may include biscuits, cakes, confectionery, fresh fruit, ready-to-eat and ready-to cook food, sandwiches, salads, soft drinks, and wraps.
Process operators typically work on production lines within food and drink manufacturing businesses.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to complete food and drink processing procedures to contribute to the manufacture of safe and compliant food products. They support technical operators to complete start up, set up, line changeovers, and shut down of food and drink production lines and machinery. They monitor product quality and throughput against key performance indicators. With a team focus, they prepare for the on-coming shift and provide handovers. Contributing to continuous improvement, stock control and audits is also part of the role.
Assessment
The apprentice must achieve the following on-programme assessment requirements prior to Gateway:
English and Maths at Level 1
Attempt tests for English and Maths at Level 2
Portfolio of evidence
Future Job Prospects & Learning Opportunities
With further study you could move on to becoming a technical operator and progress on to a level 3 Apprenticeship. In time, you could end up as supervisor or manager. You could move in to supporting faculties in training, heath and safety or technical/ quality.
Food and Drink Technical Operator
Level 3
Duration: Typically, 30 months (this does not include EPA period)
The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the manufacture of quality food and drink products. They conduct start-up, close-down, changeover, and handovers in the manufacturing process, often using highly automated equipment and technology. They keep the manufacturing process running through operating machinery, front-line fault diagnosis and resolution, asset care, and performing basic maintenance.
A key focus for technical operators is food safety, through monitoring Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points and recording the results. As they operate in a regulated environment, they may be involved in conducting internal audits and supporting external audits to demonstrate compliance. Demonstrating compliance will also involve completing and updating documents, risk assessments, and completing traceability records.
Food and drink manufacturing is often a team activity. Technical operators may help to develop and support others through training and setting an example. They strive to continuously improve performance and quality (considering safety, quality, driving value). They support the implementation of new products or processes. During incidents, such as fires, accidents or near misses, they implement incident management procedures. Manufacturing process technicians will spend time on the production lines and off-line while working on activities such as projects.
Assessment
The apprentice must achieve the following on-programme assessment requirements prior to Gateway:
English and Maths at Level 2
Portfolio of evidence
Future Job Prospects & Learning Opportunities
A Technical Operator could move in to a variety of roles. if you started out with the role of technician, later on in your career, you could be a quality management, production supervisor, or site manager. With further study you could move in to an engineering role.
Find out more about our Food and Drink Apprenticeships