Apprentice Engineer

KINNERTON (CONFECTIONERY) CO. LIMITED

Fakenham (NR21 8AF)

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)

Posted on 17 June 2026

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Contents

Summary

Kickstart your engineering career with a hands-on apprenticeship that blends real-world experience with expert training. Earn while you learn, gaining in-demand skills in mechanical and electrical maintenance, fault finding, and modern manufacturing systems.

Wage

£19,266 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The salary is £9.88 per hour (£19,266 per year based on 37.5 hours per week), with your pay reviewed annually and increasing as you gain skills and progress throughout your apprenticeship.

Training course
Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)
Hours
Position type: Full time, temporary for around 30 months (+ up to 6 months End Point Assessment) Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 28 September 2026

Duration

3 years

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

You’ll be supported every step of the way by experienced engineers and a dedicated mentor. Day-to-day, you will:

  • Support reactive and preventative maintenance activities
  • Learn how to diagnose and fix faults on machinery
  • Build your technical knowledge through on-site and college learning
  • Complete your apprenticeship portfolio and training modules
  • Work safely within food manufacturing and engineering standards
  • Develop communication and teamwork skills in a real-world environment
  • Take ownership of your development and respond to feedback

You’ll also gain exposure to wider business areas, including Operations, Technical & Quality, Warehousing, NPD, Finance, and Transformation.

 

Where you'll work

Kinnerton Confectionery Co Ltd
Oxborough Lane
Fakenham
NR21 8AF

Training

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

Training provider

REAGIT UK LTD

Training course

Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Select, check, and use electrical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment. Select, check, and use control and instrumentation maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Use electrical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques. Use control and instrumentation diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check calibration and make adjustments.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check loop function.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace instruments and sensors.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Re-connect instrumentation power supply, cables, pipework, and services.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Select, check, and use electrical and mechanical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Use electrical and mechanical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Check condition and operation of mechanical aspects of plant and equipment. For example, pumps.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace mechanical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Examine mechanical parts for defects. For example, pump seals.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust mechanical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Lubricate mechanical assemblies.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply bench fitting techniques.
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.

Training schedule

This is a practical, hands-on engineering apprenticeship delivered in partnership with Reagit UK Limited, combining real workplace experience with structured college learning.

You’ll split your time between:

  • Reagit’s Norwich campus, where you’ll gain technical knowledge and complete workshop-based training. You will be based here full-time, Monday - Friday for your first 20 weeks.
  • Kinnerton’s manufacturing site in Fakenham, working alongside experienced engineers. After you have completed your 20 weeks with Reagit, you will work 4 days per week at Kinnerton and continue with 1 day per week of continued learning at Reagit.

Through your apprenticeship, you’ll develop skills across key engineering areas, including:

  • Mechanical maintenance and fault finding
  • Electrical systems and diagnostics
  • Preventive maintenance techniques
  • Engineering safety and compliance
  • Problem-solving and continuous improvement
  • Working with modern food manufacturing equipment

(Aligned to the formal training programme delivered by Reagit UK Limited)

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade Grade 4 + or equivalent)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Kinnerton is far from your typical brand. Pioneering the introduction of character chocolate in the UK in 1978 under the Kinnerton Kids label, we have consistently evolved, securing our position as one of the UK's leading manufacturers of seasonal goods. 

Our Fakenham site operates across three key production areas - Novelty, Nut, and Moulding, each led by a Plant Manager and supported by dedicated Shift Managers working on a 4 on 4 off pattern across days and nights. The site is a 11,000m² facility producing over 8,500 tonnes of confectionery annually, including NOMO – the UK’s #1 free-from chocolate brand. With advanced technology and a nut-safe promise, we supply major retailers and co-manufacture for some of the world’s biggest confectionery brands. Every year, we produce over 5 million advent calendars and 30 million Easter eggs – making this a fast-paced, innovative environment where no two days are the same.  

As a key player in the Zertus UK & Ireland Snacking & Chocolate Market Unit, we collaborate with esteemed food manufacturers nationwide. 

https://www.kinnerton.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Earn while you learn with salary progression each year
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • Pension (4% employer contribution) + Life Assurance
  • Healthcare plan - dental, optical, counselling and much more

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

After successfully completing the apprenticeship, if permanent roles are available, you can apply to progress into a permanent Engineering role at Kinnerton. From there, you’ll have opportunities to further develop your skills and move into more advanced positions such as Multi-Skilled Engineer, Engineering Team Leader, or Specialist Technician roles. You will also be well-equipped with the skills and experience to pursue maintenance engineering roles within the wider food manufacturing industry or apply for similar engineering positions across other sectors, giving you a strong foundation for a long-term engineering career.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KINNERTON (CONFECTIONERY) CO. LIMITED

Molly Greaves

molly.greaves@zertusuk.com

07766242828

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037651.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.