Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

Watts Farm; Horton Kirby; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A fresh produce farm in Horton Kirby is seeking an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer to develop in-house maintenance capabilities. This full-time role offers comprehensive training through a Level 3 Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship, providing practical experience and technical skills. Candidates should be practical, curious, and motivated to learn. The position includes 42.5 hours per week and opportunities for long-term career development alongside industry experts.

Benefits

Full time paid role during training

Fully funded Level 3 engineering apprenticeship

31 days holiday including bank holidays

Qualifications

• No previous engineering experience required; must have a willingness to learn.
• Experience with tools, mechanics, or technical hobbies is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with basic planned maintenance on packing and processing machinery.
• Support external contractors during breakdowns, repairs, and servicing.
• Help with machinery changeovers and production set‑ups.
• Learn fault finding and basic diagnostic skills.
• Monitor equipment performance and help identify improvements.
• Keep accurate records of maintenance tasks and parts used.

Skills

Practical and hands on

Curious about how machinery works

Good at problem solving and communication

Tools

Basic tools experience

Job description

Are you practical, curious and ready to begin a hands on career in engineering?

This is a unique opportunity to join Watts Farms as we establish our in house maintenance capability.

About the role

At Watts Farms, we operate a busy, fast paced packhouse supplying fresh herbs and baby leaf products across the UK.

You’ll be right at the centre of production learning how equipment works, how breakdowns are handled, and how we keep machinery running efficiently. This apprenticeship offers structured technical training alongside valuable real world experience.

About the Apprenticeship

You will be enrolled onto the Level 3 Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship, a nationally recognised qualification tailored to engineering roles within food manufacturing.

Your training will include :

• Block release training with a specialist apprenticeship training provider

On site learning with our Packhouse Manager

Practical experience gained by shadowing and working with external contractors who upkeep and repair our equipment.

This route is ideal for someone who wants a mix of technical training and real operational exposure.

What you’ll be doing

• Assist with basic planned maintenance on packing and processing machinery
• Support external contractors during breakdowns, repairs and servicing
• Help with machinery changeovers and production set‑ups
• Learn fault finding and basic diagnostic skills
• Monitor equipment performance and help identify improvements
• Keep accurate records of maintenance tasks and parts used
• Build detailed knowledge of our equipment through hands‑on practice

What we’re looking for

You don’t need any previous engineering experience, just the right attitude and willingness to learn.

• Practical and hands on
• Curious about how machinery works
• Keen to develop technical skills
• Reliable, motivated and proactive
• Good at problem solving and communication
• Experience with tools, mechanics or technical hobbies is advantageous.

Working Hours

This is a full time position working 42.5 hours per week across 5 days.

What we offer

• Full time paid role while you train
• Fully funded Level 3 engineering apprenticeship
• Training alongside experienced specialist contractors
• Wide exposure to production and packaging equipment
• Genuine long term career development opportunities
• 31 days holiday (including bank holidays)

Why join us?

At Watts Farms, we thrive on challenge and change. The pace and pressure of our 24 / 7 operation keeps us on our toes, while offering great opportunities to learn and grow. We encourage everyone to work hard, show initiative and develop new skills. And it's exciting… because only by mentoring and role modelling our success and innovation, will we continue to diversify, grow as individuals and succeed together.

Joining us as an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer is an exciting opportunity to be part of developing a new in house maintenance capability. You’ll gain hands on experience across a wide range of machinery, working alongside external engineers and contractors while receiving guidance and support from our Packhouse Manager.

If you have the requirements listed to become our Apprentice Maintenance Engineer, please click ‘apply' today. We’d love to hear from you!

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment.

Please note:

Employment checks will include Drugs & Alcohol test

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