About Kepak:
Kepak Group is an Irish company and one of Europe’s leading meat processors. Kepak have a portfolio of market leading brands including Rustlers, Big Al’s, John Stone, Stript Snacks and Celtic Beef. At Kepak, our ambition to grow as a business is equaled only by our ambition to grow the careers and personal satisfaction of our people.
Our Apprenticeships:
Kepak has some exciting opportunities for people looking to kick start their careers in Engineering. We need to get our amazing products onto the shelves for consumers as quickly as possible to enjoy, and our Maintenance team are a key function to make that to happen.
Kepak are looking to recruit 2 Engineering Apprentices to join the team at our Rustlers factory in Kirkham, Lancashire. You will be supported by a Mentor who will help and guide you through your apprenticeship and achieving your qualification.
For Apprentices, 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
Kepak are seeking reliable and hardworking individuals to join an industry leader that provides opportunities for training and progression to the right candidates. If you love working as part of a team and want the chance to help us innovate engineering of the future, then this is the apprenticeship for you.
What to expect in the job?
* To carry out effective Planned Preventative Maintenance as directed
* To carry out maintenance and rectification works following audits, inspections, and production reports.
* Working to make continual improvements to plant and equipment to reduce repeat common point failures and improve site efficiencies.
* Keeping workshops, plant rooms and engineering storage areas to a standard that exceeds the requirements of internal and external audits.
* Keeping workshop tools and equipment serviceable, clean, and ready for use to meet the requirements for tool control.
* To keep up to date records of work completed on paper based and computer systems.
* All accountabilities support the engineering function which in turn reduces production down time and allows the department to meet its goals and objectives.
* Responsible for highlighting any additional spare parts required to carry out tasks. Spares usage is monitored against each team member by way of monthly KPIs.
* Report any risks or any evidence of unsafe or out of specification product, equipment, packaging, or raw materials, to a designated manager to enable the resolution of issues requiring immediate action.
Some of the learning to expect from your Apprenticeship:
* Understand mathematical techniques, formula and calculations in a maintenance environment and the type of equipment being maintained.
* Understand mechanical, electrical, electronic, fluid power and process control principles in a mechatronics maintenance environment.
* Understand how equipment being maintained functions and operating parameters in individual components and how they interact.
* Understand fault diagnostic methods, techniques and equipment used when maintaining equipment and systems.
* Understand condition monitoring methods and equipment used and understand how the information gained.
* Supports the planning of maintenance activities.
* Understand how to minimise machinery downtime by implementing planned preventative maintenance programmes.
Start date: September 2025
Location: Kepak Kirkham, Kirkham, Lancashire
Our Engineering apprentices salary structure is as follows, the increases are dependent on successfully completing each academic year of your apprenticeship.
Year 1 £17,000 Year 2 £20,500 Year 3 £24,500 Year 4 £30,000
Read more about our programme and hear from some of our Apprentices : kepak.com/careers/apprenticeships/
Requirements
What we need from you?
While there is no previous experience needed for this role, the right candidate will;
* Be reliable and fully committed to the 4 year Apprentice programme
* Have a positive attitude with strong attention to detail
* Be willing to learn at all times
* Be flexible in their approach to work
* Have a real interest in Engineering & problem solving
* The ability to work as part of a team
* Willing and able to travel to our Kirkham site daily, and our training provider as required
* GCSE Grade C / 4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English
We will be looking for alignment with our Core Values:
Responsibility – Ability to work on your own initiative and take accountability for your actions
Ambition – You will have the willingness and confidence to challenge yourself to be the best you can be and be driven to succeed
Passion for Food – this is at the heart of everything we do, you must be passionate about every aspect of our industry
Teamwork – ability to build positive relationships quickly with people from all cultures and career stages is pivotal
Benefits
What can we offer you?
* Employee Discount Scheme
* Service-Related Annual Leave
* Educational Assistance/ L&D
* Discounted Meat Products
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee assistance programme
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