Food and Drink Process Operator

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.
• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link: Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2

The entry requirements for all Level 2 programmes, will require either: 

• GCSE H or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• GCSE 1 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• Entry 3 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) at this level or Level 1 or 2.

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support of the application on an individual basis.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.

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 role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in 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.

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.