Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer (Level 3 Standard)

The Level 3 Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer apprenticeship is designed for individuals looking to build a strong technical career within the food and drink manufacturing sector. This programme suits those who enjoy problem‑solving, hands‑on engineering, and working in fast‑paced production environments where safety, quality and efficiency are essential.

Apprentices develop advanced mechanical, electrical, and control engineering skills, enabling them to maintain, diagnose and optimise complex production machinery. The qualification provides a highly transferable skill set valued across food processing, packaging, brewing, dairy, bakery, confectionery and wider FMCG industries.

Applicants must have achieved both maths and English at GCSE 4 / C or above prior to enrolment.

Employers may set additional entry requirements based on the technical nature of the role.

Hands-on Training & College Learning

Apprentices are employed in food and drink manufacturing environments while attending college. They gain practical experience in:

• Mechanical and electrical maintenance
• Fault‑finding and diagnostics
• Planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
• Installation, testing and commissioning of equipment
• Process control and automation
• Food safety, hygiene and compliance
• Working safely with tools, machinery and electrical systems
• Engineering mathematics and principles
• Electrical circuits, motors and control systems
• Mechanical systems, pneumatics and hydraulics
• Programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
• Food and drink production processes
• Quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Root cause analysis and problem‑solving

They also build essential skills in communication, teamwork, planning and documentation — all vital for engineering roles in regulated industries.

For a comprehensive understanding of this engineering programme and what it entails, please click here.

Progression routes include a Higher Apprenticeship, HNC/HND qualification or bespoke training modules.

Training is delivered at our London Road Campus on a varied delivery, based on employer requirements. This can be block release, or 2-3 days per week - identified at the point of enrolment. Apprentices are also visited regularly in the workplace by an assessor who reviews progress, observes practical skills and supports development.

Towards the end of the programme, apprentices complete an Apprenticeship Assessment/End Point Assessment (EPA), which typically includes:

• A practical skills test
• A professional discussion
• A knowledge assessment
• A review of workplace evidence

 This ensures apprentices demonstrate the full range of skills, knowledge and behaviours required for the role.

This apprenticeship typically takes 36 months to complete, depending on prior experience and employer requirements.

To be an apprentice, you will need an employer who can offer you a specific role relevant to this apprenticeship and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 653444 or email apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk