Improvement Technician Apprentice

TRETHOWAN'S DAIRY LTD

WESTON SUPER MARE (BS24 6AH)

Closes in 26 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 8 December 2025

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Summary

We are seeking a proactive and analytical individual to join our team as a Level 3 Improvement Technician Apprentice. This role will support key improvement projects across production and sales, focusing on digitisation, communication, and sustainability.

Wage

£18,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Improvement technician (level 3)
Hours
Shift working pattern, including some weekends.

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 24 February 2026

Duration

1 year 2 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

  • Maintain and improve communication between production and sales teams
  • Support the introduction and implementation of the ODOO system, open-source cloud based modular system for business and production management.
  • Improve data accuracy and usage across departments
  • Assist in managing stock waste to ensure no cheese goes out of date
  • Support the transition to a just-in-time delivery model for wholesalers
  • Contribute to sustainability initiatives and effective waste management
  • Participate in costings and viability assessments for more efficient working and new equipment, e.g. a larger vat, Double makes, third cheese

Where you'll work

THE DAIRY
COWSLIP LANE
HEWISH
WESTON SUPER MARE
BS24 6AH

Training

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

Training provider

UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP

Training course

Improvement technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Compliance: Work in accordance with organisational controls and statutory regulations
  • Communication: Share improvement progress through appropriate reporting
  • Project management: Plan, manage and implement improvement activities. Identify and support management of risks. Develop the business case for improvement activity and implementation
  • Change management: Engage through communications. Reinforce – positively and negatively. Effectively coach peers
  • Principles and methods: Use a structured method and appropriate improvement tools engaging with subject matter experts to deliver business benefits
  • Project selection and Scoping: Identify and scope improvement projects and establish clear measurable objectives
  • Problem definition: Develop a problem/opportunity statement supported by validated data
  • Voice of the customer: Apply techniques to identify customers, their requirements and translate these to metrics
  • Process mapping & analysis: Apply process mapping tools to visualise processes, analyse process performance establishing key insights for performance improvement
  • Lean tools: Apply techniques such as identification and removal of 8 wastes, 5S (Sort, Shine, Set, Standardise, Sustain), standard work, kaizen, visual displays and controls, error proofing, preventative maintenance
  • Data acquisition for analysis: Develop data collection plan and validated measurement processes to understand performance
  • Basic statistics & measures: Establish patterns and trends in data over time using tally, pie, run/trend and pareto charts
  • Data analysis-statistical methods: Identify common and special cause variation
  • Process capability & performance: Analyse product/process performance using good quality data
  • Root cause analysis: Use cause and effect diagrams, technique of 5 whys and graphical analysis to understand and verify root causes
  • Identification & prioritisation: Identify and prioritise improvement solutions
  • Benchmarking: Recognise the value of sharing best practice
  • Sustainability & control: Create control and reaction plans with detection measures, identify opportunities to embed changes to leverage benefit to the business.

Training schedule

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Willingness to learn
  • Proactive attitude
  • Interest in food production
  • Interest in sustainability

About this employer

Trethowans Dairy Ltd is a renowned artisan cheese producer known for its high-end products such as Gorwydd Caerphilly and Pitchfork Cheddar. We are committed to, quality, and innovation in our production processes. Our cheeses are distributed through respected wholesalers including Neal’s Yard Dairy, The Fine Cheese Co., and our own Borough Market stall. We also work with exporters who bring our cheeses to a wider audience from across the globe.

https://trethowanbrothers.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You may get to sample some rather lovely cheese!

After this apprenticeship

This apprenticeship offers a pathway into roles focused on business improvement, project management, operations, and sustainability within the food production industry. Successful candidates may progress into permanent roles or further training.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET COLLEGE GROUP

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000001293.

Apply now

Closes in 26 days (Monday 5 January 2026 at 11:59pm)

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