Engineering Apprenticeship

Kepak Kirkham Ltd; Preston; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in England is offering a structured Level 3 Engineering apprenticeship. This program enables apprentices to earn while learning, with responsibilities including maintenance and operational improvements within the engineering department. Candidates should possess GCSEs in English and Maths along with strong communication and problem-solving skills. The role offers a starting salary of £17,000, increasing as the apprenticeship progresses. Additional employee benefits include annual leave, educational assistance, and discounts on products.

Benefits

Service-Related Annual Leave

Educational Assistance/LD

Discounted Meat Products

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Responsibilities

• Carry out effective Planned Preventative Maintenance as directed.
• Carry out maintenance and rectification works following audits, inspections, and production reports.
• Work to continually improve plant and equipment to reduce repeat common point failures.
• Maintain up-to-date records of work completed on paper-based and computer systems.
• Support the engineering function to reduce production downtime.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Problem solving skills

Analytical skills

Logical thinking

Team working

Initiative

Education

GCSE in English (grade 9-4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 9-4)

Job description

Overview

Kepak is one of Europe's leading food companies with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. Kepak's vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future ready Food Business with differentiation at its core, that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food & Teamwork.

This programme is the perfect entry point into Engineering, and the wider Food Industry, through a structured apprenticeship programme. As an apprentice, you earn while you learn - Kepak pays you while you are being trained, and you will complete a Level 3 Engineering apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Carry out effective Planned Preventative Maintenance as directed.
• Carry out maintenance and rectification works following audits, inspections, and production reports.
• Work to continually improve plant and equipment to reduce repeat common point failures and improve site efficiencies.
• Keep workshops, plant rooms and engineering storage areas to a standard that exceeds the requirements of internal and external audits.
• Keep workshop tools and equipment serviceable, clean, and ready for use to meet the requirements for tool control.
• Maintain up-to-date records of work completed on paper-based and computer systems.
• Support the engineering function to reduce production downtime and help the department meet its goals and objectives.
• Highlight any additional spare parts required to carry out tasks. Spares usage is monitored via monthly KPIs by each team member.
• Report any risks or evidence of unsafe or out of specification product, equipment, packaging, or raw materials to a designated manager to enable immediate action.

Qualifications

• GCSE in English (grade 9-4) and Maths (grade 9-4).
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical thinking
• Team working
• Initiative

Other Information

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Wage £17,000 per year. There will be additional increments in pay at the start of Y2 (£20,500), Y3 (£24,500), Y4 (£30,000).

Training course: Engineering Technician (Level 3)

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for at least the first 2 years. You will move onto shift in year 3 or 4, dependent on progress. The exact shift will be decided closer to the time. 40 hours per week.

Start date: Monday 7 September 2026

Duration: 4 years

Employee Benefits: Service-Related Annual Leave, Educational Assistance/LD, Discounted Meat Products, Cycle to Work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme