Multi-Skilled Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer Review
at Premier Foods
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Manufacturing
Worksop
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Mechanical & electrical maintenance, fabrication & welding, pneumatics, automation of food processing & packaging machinery, electrical installations, continuous improvement via optimisation and streamlining manufacturing performance to achieve overall operational excellence through applying all aspects of engineering solutions. Troubleshooting, fault finding and rectification in a fast paced environment. Overseeing and support external contractors from mandatory legislation audits for LOLER, providing engineering support for industry specialist involved in commissioning new systems. Implementing engineering solutions to achieve cost savings and maximise production efficiency. Maintaining all manufacturing systems from processing of raw materials through to packaging or the finished product ready for distribution.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
1/5
Enjoyed the programme due to the outcome. A lot of pressure from the company to push for accelerated completion of EPA within a shorter timeframe, which I delivered and achieved. What I didn't enjoy was being offered the opportunity to do the HNC which was then withdrawn due to not being up to standard, despite delivering everything they asked for and more. I was one of the fastest to achieve completely or EPA. My EPA project lead to a significant cost savings of approximately £500,000 over a 5-year period which also improved health and safety, improved environmental waste, reduction in overall production costs, improved operational efficiency. So I somewhat disagree with not being up to standard to do a HNC. I believe I am fully capable, especially with a proven track record in academia as I already have a Bachelor's degree, Masters Degree and PhD. Instead, I decided to self-fund my HNC, HND and Bachelors degree in engineering, then move onto a masters in engineering and then a PhD in engineering.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Standard planned maintenance, preventative maintenance, proactive conditions monitoring, reactive maintenance emergency breakdowns stopping production. Use of CMMS systems such as SAP to generate work orders, procurement of replacement parts, documentation of engineering activities completed for handover and technical completion of activities on SAP. All work carried out is in accordance to regulatory & company best practice, with food safety at the forefront of all work. Risk assessments, training in PUWER assessments, engineering food safety trained. Trained in working at height & confined space, establish and implementing safe systems of work, throughout all activities. Ensure engineering compliance ot ahered to strictly. Ensure all activities are signed off and hand back to production. Machining replacement parts, repair various parts of the line that requires welding or complete re- fabrication of specific parts. Maintaining automation systems through maintaining of various proximity, induction sensors. Maintaining Pilz relay safety circuits and ensuring all safety system are functioning.
Supportin other manufacturing centres with shutdown on large jobs that requires confined space and working at height trained engineers to carry shut down jobs. Replacement of electrical motors, conveyors. Maintaining automated manufacturing robots. Basics were learnt at the training centre but majority of development were from working on-site with other engineers.
Supportin other manufacturing centres with shutdown on large jobs that requires confined space and working at height trained engineers to carry shut down jobs. Replacement of electrical motors, conveyors. Maintaining automated manufacturing robots. Basics were learnt at the training centre but majority of development were from working on-site with other engineers.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Not very organised at the start. Chaotic timetabling schedules at training centre due to taking on too many apprentices at one and not having the staff to cover. Not very well structured. I had to manage my own apprenticeship for a while due to not having a Learning & Development manager for the first year or so of my apprenticeship. Could have been structured better.
The EPA as the most organised and structured part of the apprenticeship. My feedback for the EPA by FDQ as followers:
FDQ: The 3,000th Apprentice to complete an EPA with us was a Level
3 Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer Apprentice who stated:
"FDQ were professional from start to finish of the EPA process.
The initial formal meeting with Jim Richardson prior to gateway
was useful and clearly outlined the structure and requirements
of the EPA process. I personally believe this initial meeting
played a pivotal role in the EPA process. Timely responses were
provided regarding the WKT prior to assessment. The EPA guide
was my go-to document when structuring my preparation for
each assessment. The WKT invigilator from FDQ was
professional, polite & understanding of site policies &
procedures. The independent assessor for the practical
observations, workplace project presentation & professional
discussion interview was excellent. The assessor was thorough
with each aspect of the EPA assessments that he was involved
in. It was an honour to have him as my assessor. The way
communication was delivered was encouraging, motivating and
made me want to be the best I can be. Thank you Jim and the
FDQ team involved in the EPA process.'
1/10 for the training centre.
10/10 for the EPA process.
The EPA as the most organised and structured part of the apprenticeship. My feedback for the EPA by FDQ as followers:
FDQ: The 3,000th Apprentice to complete an EPA with us was a Level
3 Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer Apprentice who stated:
"FDQ were professional from start to finish of the EPA process.
The initial formal meeting with Jim Richardson prior to gateway
was useful and clearly outlined the structure and requirements
of the EPA process. I personally believe this initial meeting
played a pivotal role in the EPA process. Timely responses were
provided regarding the WKT prior to assessment. The EPA guide
was my go-to document when structuring my preparation for
each assessment. The WKT invigilator from FDQ was
professional, polite & understanding of site policies &
procedures. The independent assessor for the practical
observations, workplace project presentation & professional
discussion interview was excellent. The assessor was thorough
with each aspect of the EPA assessments that he was involved
in. It was an honour to have him as my assessor. The way
communication was delivered was encouraging, motivating and
made me want to be the best I can be. Thank you Jim and the
FDQ team involved in the EPA process.'
1/10 for the training centre.
10/10 for the EPA process.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Manager supported where relevant, could have been better. Majority of support came from various departments including operations, technical, site services, other manufacturing centres on-site and other managers.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Support is there when needed. Also the company and training provider pushed hard to complete the qualification and EPQ at an accelerated timeframe. As a result I am the first in my group to complete the EPA and achieve my qualification. It paid off, the stress was worth it as I am now fully qualified and can focus on continuing to develop my skills, knowledge and experience to become the best engineer I can be.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
Mainly welding skills. Majority where developed from experience working on-site. Training provider taught me the basics which allowed me to build on them while working on site. Working on-site and on the lines is what contributed to the majority of performing better at my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Lack of professional networking events which is something I'd be most interested in. No sports teams. Social activities include a company Christmas dinner party which was nice. 10/10. But overall, lack of professional networking events. There was an event at the start of my apprenticeship, the Tasty Careers event was good.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Premier Foods to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I enjoy what I do. I love the products that we make onsite. I've gained a lot of transferrable skills. Gained a lot of experience and I like working with my colleagues who have played a role in my development.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Premier Foods?
Apply. Work hard and be passionate about wat you do, it will pay dividends in the end.
