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- Tasks: Learn and earn while maintaining and improving engineering systems in a leading food company.
- Company: Join Kepak, a top food manufacturer with a focus on sustainability and teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with pay increases, educational assistance, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Kickstart your engineering career with hands-on experience and structured training.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 17000 - 17000 £ per year.
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.
Engineering Apprenticeship in Preston employer: Kepak Kirkham Ltd
Contact Detail:
Kepak Kirkham Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Apprenticeship in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former apprentices at Kepak on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any insider tips they might have. This can give you a leg up when it comes to understanding the company culture and what they're really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Since this is an engineering apprenticeship, be ready to discuss basic engineering principles and how they apply to real-world scenarios. We want to see your passion for the field!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams. At Kepak, collaboration is key, so demonstrating your ability to work well with others will definitely make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows that you’re serious about joining the team at Kepak. Let’s get you started on this exciting journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Apprenticeship in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Engineering: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for engineering shine through! Talk about what got you interested in this field and why you want to join Kepak specifically. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about the industry.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the apprenticeship. Highlight relevant skills like problem-solving and teamwork, and don’t forget to mention any experience that relates to the food industry or engineering. We want to see how you fit into our vision!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively, so make sure your writing is easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the apprenticeship programme there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kepak Kirkham Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of engineering principles and how they apply to the food industry. Brush up on your knowledge about Planned Preventative Maintenance and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to improving plant efficiencies.
✨Show Your Passion
Kepak values a passion for food and teamwork. Be prepared to share why you're interested in the food industry and how you can work well with others. Think of examples from school projects or group activities that highlight your collaborative spirit.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the apprenticeship programme, the team you'll be working with, and the company's vision for sustainability. This shows you're genuinely interested and have done your homework.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Since the role involves maintenance and rectification works, be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your analytical and logical thinking skills, and how you approach problem-solving in a practical way.
