Level 3 Food & Drink Technical Operator Apprenticeship

Summary

As an Apprentice Food Technologist on a two-year course, you will graduate with a Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard as a Food and Drink Technical Operator from Reaseheath College, combining hands-on practical experience with classroom-based learning at Taw Valley.

Wage

£21,000 a year

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Training course

Food and drink technical operator (level 3)

Hours

Shifts to be discussed at interview stage.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 October 2025

Duration

2 years 6 months

Positions available

30

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Raw Material and New Product Development: This includes an overview of the complete process from 'farm to fork', ensuring that all stages from raw material acquisition to final product delivery are covered comprehensively.
Dairy Science and Engineering: This encompasses the fundamental chemistry of milk constituents, understanding the utility systems within a factory, and gaining a practical understanding of each piece of equipment or asset used in milk processing operations.
Workplace Practices and Continuous Improvement: This includes health and safety protocols, good manufacturing practices, and the main tools and techniques utilised for continuous improvement in the workplace.
Dairy Product Quality, Safety, and Sustainable Supply Chain: This involves understanding the moral and legal responsibilities of a business regarding product quality and safety, as well as exploring environmental issues affecting the industry to ensure a sustainable supply chain.
Principles of Dairy Engineering and Operations: This includes gaining an understanding of the utility systems within a factory and having a practical understanding of each piece of equipment or asset used in milk processing operations.

Where you'll work

Taw Valley Creamery
North Tawton
EX20 2DA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

REASEHEATH COLLEGE

Your training course

Food and drink technical operator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Interpret, follow and implement food and drink production SOPs.
Interpret, follow and implement quality assurance procedures.
Monitor production performance, stock usage and rotation.
Operate or use food and drink production tools and equipment.
Identify hazards (Critical Control Points) and control measures to mitigate risks.
Comply with food safety regulations and procedures.
Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures.
Comply with environment and sustainability regulations and procedures. Segregate, recycle and dispose of waste.
Monitor and inspect production machinery.
Apply basic maintenance practices. For example, check levels, parts wear, pressure, and sensors, and grease and lubricate.
Select and use maintenance hand tools.
Follow food safe engineering standards and practices. For example, use of food safe chemicals, check out and in of components.
Follow site isolation and lock off procedures (lockout, tagout).
Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
Apply fault-finding and problem-solving techniques.
Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
Collect and interpret information. Use data to apply changes
Record information - paper based or electronic.
Use information technology. Comply with GDPR.
Plan and organise self, others and resources.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders visually and verbally.
Communicate in writing.
Identify training needs. Train and buddy team members in the workplace.
Interpret, follow and implement food and drink production SOPs.
Interpret, follow and implement quality assurance procedures.
Monitor production performance, stock usage and rotation.
Operate or use food and drink production tools and equipment.
Identify hazards (Critical Control Points) and control measures to mitigate risks.
Comply with food safety regulations and procedures.
Comply with health and safety regulations and procedures.
Comply with environment and sustainability regulations and procedures. Segregate, recycle and dispose of waste.
Monitor and inspect production machinery.
Apply basic maintenance practices. For example, check levels, parts wear, pressure, and sensors, and grease and lubricate.
Select and use maintenance hand tools.
Follow food safe engineering standards and practices. For example, use of food safe chemicals, check out and in of components.
Follow site isolation and lock off procedures (lockout, tagout).
Diagnose and resolve issues. Escalate issues.
Apply fault-finding and problem-solving techniques.
Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
Collect and interpret information. Use data to apply changes
Record information - paper based or electronic.
Use information technology. Comply with GDPR.
Plan and organise self, others and resources.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders visually and verbally.
Communicate in writing.
Identify training needs. Train and buddy team members in the workplace.

Your training plan

Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard as a Food and Drink Technical Operator from Reaseheath College, combining hands-on practical experience with classroom-based learning at Taw Valley.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative

About this company

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to producing high-quality products while championing sustainability and innovation. We're passionate about people and our planet, striving to unleash the full potential in each of us. Our goal is to make healthy dairy nutrition and good food habits accessible to all. Join us at Arla Foods and become part of a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.

Company benefits

- Salary £21,000 Year one increases to £24,000 in your second year. - 26-day holiday & Bank Holidays. - Pension contribution matched up to 6%.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion, you will be guaranteed a full-time operator role on shift, with shifts operating on a 4 on 4 off basis, alternating between day and night work.

Ask a question

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