Food and Drink Process Operator
Level 2 Apprenticeship
The Food and Drink Industry is one of the largest, most dynamic and fastest growing sectors of industry.Working in the food manufacturing sector means you could be employed by a company that specialises in one type of product or a range of product types.
While studying this apprenticeship, you will learn to use a range of equipment, handling food safely and hygienically and to quality standards by working on production lines within the manufacturing plant. You will gain a solid grounding in most aspects of food production and manufacturing and have a good level of product knowledge.
Within the apprenticeship there is a Level 2 Diploma in Food and Drink Operator (12 to 18 months) that needs to be completed and passed before the end point assessment.
Apprentices will learn:
- The food and drink sector. Types of organisations: branded and non-branded, high and low care sites. Types of food and drink products. Product origin and end-to-end supply chain. Customers and consumers. Customer requirements. Seasonal impact on product demand. Current food and drink trends.
- Food and drink process operator’s role. Position within business. How it adds value to customer and consumer. Limits of autonomy.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). What they are and why they are important.
- Quality assurance requirements and monitoring processes.
- Tools and equipment used in food and drink production. Control systems. Requirements for cleaning, care, and operational checks.
- Performance data in food and drink manufacturing.
- Characteristics and properties of food and drink products: ambient, frozen, fresh, chilled, confectionery, liquid. Handling requirements. Effects of external influences.
- Stock requirements. Control systems. Stock rotation.
- Food safety. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). Good manufacturing practice (GMP) in the food industry. Chemical and foreign body contamination prevention. Metal detectors and non-metallic detection. Allergen control. Labelling. Personal hygiene.
- Health and Safety at Work Act – responsibilities. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Risk assessments and safe systems of work. Manual handling. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Situational awareness. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Emergency evacuation procedures. Slips, trips and falls. Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers.
- Environment and sustainability. Types of pollution and control measures: noise, smells, spills, and waste. Efficient use of resources. Waste reduction and waste streams. Recycling.
- Common faults and issues in food and drink production. Problem solving.
- Basic continuous improvement techniques: 5S, KAIZEN.
- Internal and external audits in the food and drink sector.
- Information technology: production equipment digital interfaces, virtual learning platforms, management information systems, word processing, email. General data protection regulation (GDPR).
- Documentation requirements for example, line records.
- Communication techniques – verbal and non-verbal.
- Reporting procedures.
- Principles of good team working.
Course details
| Dates & Location | This apprenticeship is delivered 100% the workplace with a minimum cohort size of two meaning that the apprenticeship can commence at a date most suitable to the employer. |
|---|---|
| Duration | Typically 17 months (some apprentices could complete sooner depending on their previous experience and qualifications, their perfomance during the apprenticeship and the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in the workplace) practical period with 3-month End Point Assessment window. |
| Costs | Costs to the employer will be dependent on several factors such as age of apprentice and size (number of employees) of the business. Please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 for more information. |
Entry Requirements
To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.
You must be in a job role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.
Prior to enrolment potential apprentices will be required to complete;
- Maths and English assessment
- Existing skills, knowledge and behaviour assessment
If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.
If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.
