Food and drink advanced engineer (integrated degree)
Level 6 · DegreeEngineering and manufacturing 5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Food and Drink Advanced Engineer (Integrated Degree) apprenticeship develops highly skilled engineers to solve complex technical challenges in the food and drink manufacturing sector, covering process design, automation, sustainability, and continuous improvement. You will work at a strategic level to drive engineering excellence across production facilities. This standard leads to senior engineering management or specialist technical roles in one of the UK's largest manufacturing industries.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced food and drink process engineering and design
Automation, control systems, and Industry 4.0 applications
Sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental management
Project management and engineering project delivery
Quality management systems and technical compliance
Financial and commercial aspects of engineering decisions
Leadership, team management, and stakeholder engagement
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Lead complex engineering projects from design to commissioning
Apply advanced process engineering to improve production
Drive automation and technology improvements in manufacturing
Manage capital expenditure projects and engineering budgets
Ensure compliance with food safety and technical standards
Lead engineering teams and develop technical talent
Identify and implement sustainability and energy initiatives
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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