Engineering Apprenticeship

Avara Foods Ltd; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£14.35 per hour

42 hours per week

Structured apprenticeship pathway

HWGTA college attendance

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Avara Foods is offering an Engineering Apprentice role at Shobdon, Herefordshire. You will train on the job with experienced engineers, combining hands-on maintenance with college-based learning through HWGTA, while contributing to site performance and safety from day one.

You will develop skills in mechanical and electrical engineering, supported by mentoring and a structured pathway toward a professional engineering career in a major UK food business.

Qualifications

• Numerical and reasoning ability to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.
• Practical aptitude and interest in Engineering.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the Engineering team to ensure maintenance activities are completed effectively and efficiently.
• Assist with planned preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance tasks.
• Develop quick and effective responses to equipment breakdowns while learning to identify root causes.
• Follow good engineering standards and site hygiene practices.
• Ensure all activities comply with health and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the business to support site performance.

Skills

Numerical ability

Practical aptitude

Communication skills

Teamwork

Self-motivation

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English

Job description

About the Role:

Engineering Apprentice

Location: Shobdon, Herefordshire
Pay: £14.35 per hour
Hours: 42 hours per week

About the Role

Are you passionate about starting your career within Engineering? Do you have an ambitious nature that strives towards high performance? Would you like to develop your skills through a structured apprenticeship programme while earning and learning from experienced engineers?

As an inclusive, forward-thinking business, we take pride in our approach to Engineering across Avara Foods and are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Engineering Apprentice to join our team at Shobdon.

This is an excellent opportunity to begin a rewarding career in Engineering, combining hands‑on workplace experience with college-based learning from day one.

Purpose of the Role

As an Engineering Apprentice, you will support the Engineering team in optimising machinery output and product quality while helping to minimise plant downtime through planned and reactive maintenance activities. You'll develop the skills, knowledge and experience needed to become a skilled engineer, while contributing to a safe and efficient working environment.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive pay of £14.35 per hour
• Guaranteed 42 hours per week
• Structured apprenticeship pathway with practical, on-the-job learning from day one
• Mentoring and training provided by experienced engineers and managers
• Opportunity to develop practical, mechanical and electrical engineering skills
• Regular opportunities for overtime at premium rates
• Support and development throughout your apprenticeship journey
• College attendance alongside workplace learning through Hereford & Worcester Group Training Association (HWGTA)
• Long-term career opportunities within Avara Foods

What the Apprenticeship Entails

This multi‑skilled Engineering Apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with Hereford & Worcester Group Training Association (HWGTA).

You'll combine college-based learning with practical workplace experience, gaining valuable skills while working alongside experienced engineers. From day one, you'll be involved in supporting engineering activities across site, learning how to maintain equipment, diagnose faults and contribute to continuous improvement projects.

Your Key Responsibilities

As an Engineering Apprentice, you will:

• Support the Engineering team to ensure maintenance activities are completed effectively and efficiently
• Assist with planned preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance tasks
• Develop quick and effective responses to equipment breakdowns while learning to identify root causes
• Follow good engineering standards and site hygiene practices
• Ensure all activities are carried out in line with company and legislative health and safety requirements
• Follow escalation procedures for unscheduled plant downtime and support efforts to minimise disruption
• Use problem‑solving techniques to help identify and resolve engineering issues
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to support site performance

What We're Looking For

As an Engineering Apprentice, we're looking for a driven and ambitious individual who is eager to learn and build a successful career within Engineering.

You will have:

• Numerical and reasoning ability to meet apprenticeship entry requirements
• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including Maths and English (Science is desirable)
• Practical aptitude and an interest in Engineering
• A positive and self‑motivated attitude
• The ability to work in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Previous Engineering experience is desirable but not essential

Who Are We?

You may not have heard of us, but there's a good chance you've enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK's leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country's major supermarkets and well‑known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door, meaning we offer career opportunities across a wide range of functions. With major processing sites across England and Wales and an agricultural network of more than 350 farms, we're proud to play an important role in feeding the nation.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

#TheAvaraWay