Apprentice Installation Engineer For Agricultural Robotic Milking and Feeding Equipment

TARKA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES LIMITED

Crediton (EX17 5PW)

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

Posted on 12 August 2025

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Summary

We install market-leading robotic milking and feeding equipment across the south of England. You will work alongside experienced engineers, gaining practical skills in electrical wiring and containment methods, pneumatic basics and fabrication. We are looking for someone who takes pride in what they do, is willing to learn and to problem solve.

Wage

£20,800 a year

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-Pension Scheme -Above Average rates of pay -Tools Provided -Uniform -Opportunities for further development -Flexible with working hours and holidays

Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm. This may vary due to job location and there may be some staying away required.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 months

Positions available

1

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

The day-to-day responsibilities for the apprentice are

  • 1. Site Preparation: Assist in preparing installation sites. Help unpack, inspect and organise equipment
  • 2.Installation: -Safely handle the equipment into location. Assemble equipment and control panels. Fabricate and install bespoke containment systems and run pipe work and electrical and data circuits. Terminate and test connections ready for commissioning
  • 3.Workshop: Manufacture equipment ready for installation. Ensure materials are stocked or ordered if necessary. Assist in organising van stock
  • The job role will include working for a workshop based in Crediton, Devon and also areas covered are the south of England

Where you'll work

18 Yeoford Meadows
Yeoford
Crediton
EX17 5PW

Training

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

Training provider

PETROC

Training course

Engineering fitter (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
  • Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
  • Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
  • Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
  • Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
  • Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
  • Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
  • Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
  • Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
  • Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
  • Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
  • Reporting work outcomes or issues.
  • Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
  • Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
  • Operating within limits of responsibility.
  • Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.

Training schedule

  • As well as the experience gained onsite using such a variety of skills, you will complete Level 3 Engineering Fitter, it is a one day a one-day-a-week training course, run by Petroc College on their North Devon Campus
  • If the applicant is successful, they will be employed by the company and then start the apprenticeship training in September 2026.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English and Maths (grade 4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

Tarka Agricultural Services installs market leading robotic milking and feeding equipment to the dairy industry. We work to a very high standard ensuring each installation meets the technical requirements and is completed on time.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

  • Once qualified you will likely be carrying out and leading installations independently or in a team

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

PETROC

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000336735.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 30 June 2026

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