Apprentice Maintenance and Reliability Technician

CARGILL PLC

York (YO31 8BA)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 27 July 2026

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Summary

We are seeking a dependable, efficient, driven and safety-minded individual wishing to start a career in reliability and maintenance. You will work as part of an engaged and diverse team, learning the engineering skills to successfully maintain the reliable operation of plant equipment.   

Wage

£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

the rate of pay will depend on your age, and will increase throughout the apprenticeship rising to £37,152 per annum in year 4 of the apprenticeship.

Training course
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 6.00am to 2.00pm to start. Shift patterns will apply from year 2: 6.00am to 2.00pm or 2.00pm to 10.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 3 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

Apprentices in Cargill learn via ‘classroom’ sessions and ‘on the job’, whilst earning a competitive wage, which progresses throughout the course of the programme as skills are learnt, and milestones met.

You will study in parallel with your job, training and development.

In addition to the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship standard, your daily tasks will include:

  • Receive training in safe and effective plant operations.
  • Learn to identify and resolve problems using continuous improvement tools.
  • Learn how to carry out service and repairs on plant equipment in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
  • Develop your skills by using a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to identify and manage work activities. 
  • Contribute to improvements in site standards by providing your valued feedback.
  • In the final year of your apprenticeship, you will also expand your knowledge to include all aspects of your previous learning through showing your expertise in completion of a project.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

  • To be responsible and organised person.
  • To have good communication skills with a social approach to work.
  • Self-motivation to manage your studies alongside your on-the-job training.
  • A strong sense of accountability towards your studies and plant-based work.
  • Inquisitiveness and a strong desire to learn.
  • To be a strong team player.
  • To be proactive throughout the apprenticeship.
  • Respectful of all colleagues, fostering inclusion, and valuing difference while bring eager to learn from others who have different perspectives, backgrounds and/or styles.
  • To able to transfer skills learnt in the classroom into real world environment.
  • To have the ability to demonstrate a genuine desire to work and learn safely in an engineering/manufacturing environment.
  • To have good communication skills with a social approach to work.
  • To have a good time keeping.
  • To strive to be the best you can be.
  • Strong level of computer literacy.

Where you'll work

Cocoa Processing Plant
Wigginton Road
York
YO31 8BA

Training

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

Training provider

YORK COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.

Training schedule

You will attend York College on a day release basis (one day per week during college term time) and the remainder of your training will take place in the workplace.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • 2 other subjects (grade 4)
  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (higher) (grade 5)
  • Science or a technical subject (grade 4)

BTEC in:

Engineering (grade pass)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Public transport is not available to our premises at the start and end times for some of our shifts, therefore please only apply for this role if you have your own transport to our site. 

Please note that the essential entry requirement for this role is a level 3 Engineering qualification (BTEC or T level or A level).

About this employer

Cargill is a family company committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. 

Our 160,000 employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing - today and for generations to come.

Cargill operates some of the most technologically advanced plants in the world, operating in over 70 different counties with over 155 years in business.

We are proud of our role in the world and the breadth of influence we have as a global business. We understand our collective impact begins with our actions and is felt by our employees and our communities. From every level of our organization, we foster a true sense of allyship by welcoming, supporting, accepting and encouraging every person to be authentically themself.

Our York facility produces cocoa for the food industry.  

https://www.cargill.co.uk/en/about-cargill (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Depending on the knowledge skills and behaviours of the apprentice upon completion, there will be a possibility of a pipeline for an ongoing technician role within Cargill, there may also be potential for progression to higher/further education.  

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

YORK COLLEGE

apprenticeships@yorkcollege.ac.uk

01904 770368

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037911.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 14 August 2026 at 11:59pm)