Summary
Stateside Foods is a leading Food Manufacturer offering an excellent working environment and great prospects. As a Multi Skilled Engineering Apprentice, you will learn both Mechanical and Electrical engineering before moving to a programme of working on site for a global organisation to support and work with an experienced engineering team.
Wage
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
There is a planned salary increase and pay is reviewed on an annual basis
Training course
Science industry maintenance technician (level 3)
Hours
Year 1 working pattern: Monday - Friday at Waterside Training. 8.45am - 4.30pm. Year 2 onwards: Based at site working a shift pattern to suit company needs.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date
Monday 1 September 2025
Duration
4 years
Positions available
3
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
As an apprentice you will be learning:
* Mechanical principles and techniques
* Electrical principles and techniques
* Practical workshop based activities in mechanical machining
* Practical workshop based activities in electrical wiring & testing
* Health & Safety training
* Practical training courses including manual handling, welding, hydraulics and pneumatics, abrasive wheels, gears & rig training
* Academic classes to support your learning and qualification
Where you’ll work
Direct House
Lancaster Way
Bolton
BL5 3XY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
ST HELENS COLLEGE
Your training course
Science industry maintenance technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
* Work safely in a science industry environment, understanding personal responsibility for Health, Safety, Environment and Security and principles of risk management.
* Participate in continuous performance improvement.
* Safely use all necessary equipment, following the appropriate engineering techniques, procedures and methods of relevance to complete the maintenance activity.
* Prepare the work area for maintenance of plant, systems or components.
* Carry out planned routine and non- routine maintenance activities, effectively, efficiently and safely.
* Reinstate the work area after completing the maintenance of plant, systems and components.
* Conduct safe and effective exchange of plant and equipment to others and accept and confirm responsibility for the plant and equipment within the work area.
* Manufacture or assemble components within skill set.
* Develop and apply theoretical knowledge of engineering and its application to the required sector & job ro This should be acquired through a qualification set at level 3 (or above) that is approved by a licensed professional engineering institution.
Your training plan
Apprentices will complete a programme of both theoretical and practical learning over a four-year period. Initially, based at Waterside Training undertaking broad based training during year 1 in Electrical and Mechanical techniques before moving to a programme of working on site for a global organisation with experienced engineering technician's tackling “real life” activities. You will receive both vocational and academic training on and off site.
During the first year from September 2025 to July 2026 you will develop your skills and knowledge by attending Waterside Training Limited on a block release basis to carry out foundation training in Electrical and Mechanical techniques working from 8:45am to 4:30pm.
Your academic training will run over the first two years from September 24 to July 26 on City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering giving both academic and workshop skills.
Additional training will also be completed during your apprenticeship to cover the requirements of the programme such as Health & Safety Training, Lean Manufacturing and or specific training as advised by the company.
From July 2026 you will commence your full site based training at Stateside Foods 4 days per week with day release to continue your academic training. Your site based work will allow you to achieve the Level 3 Science Industries Manufacturing Technician standard and you will continue to attend your company site for the remainder of your apprenticeship programme and can be qualified up to HNC Level.
Whilst on site, dependent on the company, you may work a shift pattern covering 12 hours shift pattern consisting of 4 on and 4 off including a set of night shifts.
Waterside will assign you a mentor/assessor to guide you through the apprenticeship and carry out six weekly reviews along with guiding you through your standards through portfolio building, behavioural logs, technical discussions, observations to check competency levels prior to embarking on the End Point Assessment.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* English (grade 4)
* Maths (grade 4)
* Science (grade 4)
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* Engineering (grade 5)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Patience
Other requirements
You must be able to travel to both Waterside Training in St Helens and Stateside Foods in Bolton to complete your apprenticeship and employment.