At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Confectionery Apprenticeship to create iconic treats like KitKat and Aero.
- Company: Nestlé, a leader in the confectionery industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Earn £25,125 per year plus excellent benefits and support throughout your journey.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with various employee networks and comprehensive support.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in confectionery with hands-on experience and mentorship.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, and 104 UCAS points required.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Start date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026
Scheme duration: 4 years
Salary: £25,125 per annum + excellent benefits
Location: York or Halifax
Work Pattern: Factory based, full time
What will you do?
Whether you’ve recently finished school or are considering a career change, our Confectionery Apprenticeship scheme offers the perfect opportunity to gain the skills, experience, and the support you need to succeed in the exciting world of confectionery. Over the course of this four-year scheme, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic confectionery brands, think KitKat, Aero and more. You will be developing new products and recipes all whilst supporting factory trials, including rotations across our Halifax and York factory sites where KitKat, Aero and Yorkie come to life. Throughout the scheme, you’ll have the guidance from an experienced mentor to help you maximise your learning and prepare you for an exciting career. Join us and kickstart your career in confectionery today!
What makes this scheme exciting?
- Food safety and compliance: Understand and implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems, ensuring adherence to legal, industry and customer standards.
- Product development: Assist in developing product specifications and managing new product development projects, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and working through the risk factors.
- Quality assurance: Manage internal audit schedules and conduct compliance checks to maintain consistent product quality and a food safety culture.
- Data analysis and problem solving: Analyse complex information and data to identify root causes of issues and implement corrective actions.
- Process optimisation: Establish and control process parameters for manufacturing, ensuring efficiency in operations such as mixing, cooking and cooling.
What will you learn?
- Team leadership and development: Lead and develop small technical teams, fostering a collaborative environment and driving personal and team growth.
- Supplier management: Conduct supplier audits and performance reviews, ensuring compliance with quality standards and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
- Effective communication: Demonstrate integrity and respect in communication, influencing and building relationships with key stakeholders.
- Innovation and adaptability: Show curiosity and a proactive approach to drive change and improvements within the confectionery production process.
You’ll experience student life at Nottingham Trent University with week-long learning blocks, and you can understand more about what you will learn on your apprenticeship journey by clicking on the link below to look at the apprenticeship standard: Food industry technical professional (integrated degree) / Skills England. This is the current apprenticeship programme but could be subject to change by Skills England ahead of your 2026 start date.
Our commitment to you…
We will support you every step of the way, the following are just some of our offerings to enable you to thrive with us:
- Inclusive culture, join our variety of employee run networks!
- Comprehensive benefits
- Pastoral support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Potential relocation support (£2,000)
- Prayer rooms
- Various rewards and recognition opportunities
Eligibility requirements
You will have the right to work in the UK that is not time-limited and does not require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route either at the start of the scheme or on completion. You will have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start date of this apprenticeship scheme. You will have obtained or be predicted to obtain your Maths and English Language GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9-4 (A*-C if taken before 2017). Original certificates will need to be provided. 104 UCAS points or more (or 260 points from 2017 or previous). You will need to be 18 by 1st September 2026.
The recruitment journey
After you click “apply” you’ll be prompted to answer a few questions to determine your eligibility for the scheme. If you qualify, we will invite you to complete an online assessment. Please do not upload a CV, instead we ask you to upload any relevant qualifications to support your application. Once you have completed this stage, we will notify you if you are selected to attend an assessment day which will be in February, March or April 2026. It may take a little bit of time between assessment stages to get back to you; we really appreciate your patience.
Adjustments
We recognise that each candidate has unique needs, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive application process. You will have the opportunity to discuss any specific requirements or adjustments you may need as you navigate through our recruitment process. We may occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.
At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect – for our employees, our customers and our consumers. That’s why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process.
Confectionery Apprentice (York, YN, GB, YO31 8TA) employer: Nestle UK and Ireland
At Nestlé, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive culture that fosters personal and professional growth. As a Confectionery Apprentice in York, you'll benefit from comprehensive training, mentorship from industry experts, and access to a variety of employee-run networks, all while working with iconic brands like KitKat and Aero. With competitive salary packages, pastoral support, and opportunities for innovation, this apprenticeship is the perfect launchpad for a rewarding career in the confectionery industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Confectionery Apprentice (York, YN, GB, YO31 8TA)
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Dive into some local food tech workshops or culinary fairs where you can interact with professionals in the food science and technology sector. These events often attract employers looking for fresh talent, so don’t be shy about striking up conversations and making connections!
✨Join Food Tech Communities
Engage with online forums and communities dedicated to food science and technology. Places like Reddit or specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for apprenticeship leads, insider info, and networking opportunities. You'll also find others on the same journey who can share their experiences.
✨Showcase Your Passion
Consider starting a blog or social media profile dedicated to food science. Showcase any projects, experiments, or recipes that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for the field. It’s a fantastic way to catch the eye of potential employers like Nestle UK and Ireland!
✨Apply Early and Often
With apprenticeships, timing can be crucial! Many companies, including Nestle UK and Ireland, may have specific windows for applications. Stay ahead of the game by checking their websites and applying as soon as you see an opening. Don't hesitate to reach out directly to express your interest!
We think you need these skills to ace Confectionery Apprentice (York, YN, GB, YO31 8TA)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off Your Food Science Knowledge:When you’re drafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or projects in food science and technology. If you've got a particular interest in areas like food safety, nutrition, or product development, mention them! This helps demonstrate your passion and readiness for this apprenticeship.
Highlight Practical Experience:If you've had any hands-on experience, like working in a lab or a food-related setting, include that! Mention specific techniques or technologies you’ve used. Even if it's just a school project, showing that you can apply your knowledge in a practical context can really make you stand out to Nestle UK and Ireland.
References from Industry Professionals:If you’ve had a mentor or teacher in the food science field, consider asking them for a reference. A personal touch can go a long way in the apprenticeship process. It shows that others believe in your potential, and it gives Nestle UK and Ireland more insight into your skills and capabilities.
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, don't just say why you want the apprenticeship—be specific about what you hope to learn and achieve with Nestle UK and Ireland. Maybe there's a particular project or area of research they’re known for. Mentioning it shows that you’ve done your homework and you really want to be part of their team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nestle UK and Ireland
✨Show Off Your Passion for Food Science
Let's be real – get ready to express your excitement for food science and technology! Talk about any relevant coursework, projects, or even personal experiments you’ve done. Remember, they're looking for someone who's genuinely keen on the field, not just ticking boxes.
✨Be Prepared for Practical Questions
You can bet they'll throw in some scenario-based questions related to food safety or product development. Brush up on your understanding of processes like pasteurisation or shelf-life testing, and think through how you would approach solving a hypothetical problem. Show them you can think on your feet!
✨Bring Your Notebook of Experiences
As an apprentice, your past might not be extensive, but that’s totally fine! Bring along a notebook or portfolio, even if it’s just a collection of your experiences, such as any food labs you took part in, or cooking trials, and how they relate to real-world applications. It’ll help you stand out.
✨Get Familiar with Industry Trends
Make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest food science trends—like plant-based alternatives or sustainability innovations. Being able to chat about current issues and express your views on them will show that you’re not just looking for a job but are genuinely invested in the future of food technology!
