Apprentice Engineer

Overview

Commencing 17th September 2026, the apprenticeship is for 4 years, full time, 5 days per week in Trowbridge. You will work towards a Level 3 Mechatronics Maintenance Technician qualification through on the job learning and residential training at Make UK's training centre.

You will work within a team of 25 engineers in the factory, learning routine maintenance, fault finding, testing and commissioning of advanced food manufacturing equipment.

Pay and progression:

• Year 1: £22,000 per annum
• Year 2: £26,436 per annum
• Year 3: £31,000 per annum
• Year 4: £36,500 per annum
• Potential to move into a permanent role after completion of the apprenticeship.

Residential training:

Your residential training will be in Witton, North Birmingham. The sessions are sponsored by apetito and include hotel accommodation, meals and transport:

• Year 1: 6 4 week residentials (4 nights Mon Thu)
• Year 2: 16 weeks
• Year 3: 4 weeks
• Year 4: On the job with apetito

Responsibilities

• Successfully complete the engineering apprenticeship programme.
• Support planned preventative maintenance activities in the facility.
• Support breakdown recovery activities in the facility.
• Complete and record on the job learning tasks to support training programme completion.
• Work under supervision to learn preventative and reactive maintenance skills.
• Carry out root cause analysis, including writing reports and setting counter measure actions.
• Adhere to apetito's Health & Safety policy and relevant legislation.
• Adhere to apetito's food safety policies and standards.

Essential apprenticeship criteria

• Hold or have predicted grades in at least 4 GCSEs, grade C/4 or above, in Maths, English and a Science.
• Willingness to undertake a functional skills assessment in Maths and English equivalent to GCSE grade C/4.
• Have lived in the UK or EU for the last 5 years.
• Have extended right to work in the UK, without time limitations.
• Willing to complete residential training at Make UK.
• Be at least 18 years old before 1st September 2026.

Essential skills and experience

• Able and willing to follow instruction and learn new tasks.
• Able to work flexibly as part of a team.
• Willing to learn and take responsibility for own development.
• Organise own workload.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and excellent time keeping.
• Good team player.
• Have enthusiasm, drive and commitment.
• Able to attend work at required times.
• Able to communicate both written and orally and present information clearly with good attention to detail.

Desirable skills and experience

• Food processing/manufacturing and product knowledge.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance, including food safety and HACCP.
• Principles of electrical systems, including safety and legislation.
• Knowledge of services and utilities, energy management and pollution control in food production.

Company benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Sponsored residential training.
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year.
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%.
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1 annual salary.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Free parking.
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas.
• Apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts.