Engineering Technician Apprentice

Want to help us bring happiness to the world Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands infrastructure and people Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands we dont compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to bepurpose-ledresilientandpositiveto succeed here because we expect pace andagility we insist oncollaborationand demand accountability. If that is your thing then pladis offers global ambition a clear Vision and roadmap for success challenge and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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Role Title: Engineering Apprentice

Location: Manchester

Your salary will increase with every year you complete.
Successful internal candidate current salary will be ringfenced subject to approval
Year 1 salary 18289.92 (Salary meets unified rates)
Year 2 salary approx 24000 (subject to national living/minimum wage rules)

Site Introduction

Established in 1917 our Manchester site stands as one of pladis UKs key manufacturing hubs a place where tradition meets innovation. With a talented team of around 500 colleagues the site proudly produces some of the nations most iconic treats including Jaffa Cakes in a variety of flavours Chocolate Digestives (Dark Milk White and more) Penguin Hobnobs and soon Club and Gold Bars.

Manchesters rich heritage includes landmark moments like the arrival of Penguin in 1969 the launch of its chocolate refinery in 1989 and the introduction of the first automated Jaffa Cake line in 1992. Celebrating its centenary in 2017 and earning the title of pladis Factory of the Year in 2024 the site continues to evolve most recently with a 21 million upgrade. Its more than just a factory its a community of passionate people working together to deliver joy through every bite across the UK and beyond.

What will this role achieve

The UK&I Engineering Team play a key role in delivering our promise ensuring we can meet demand by keeping the equipment in our bakeries running efficiently.

Our Engineering Apprentices play a key role within our UK&I Supply Chain challenging the status quo bringing new ideas and enthusiasm to the way we work.

What will be your key deliverables

5 years packed with a variety of learning both in classroom and in our fast-paced bakeries to develop your engineering knowledge skills and

behaviours in a Food Manufacturing Environment:

Mechanical maintenance
Electrical maintenance
Machining and welding
Fluid power maintenance
Mathematics and scientific principles
Representations drawings and graphs
Health Safety & Environment Food Safety and Compliance
Automation instrumentation digitalisation
Planning and preparing maintenance activities
Planned predicted and preventative maintenance
Continuous improvement

Youll initially spend 40hrs per week (Monday to Friday) in a 20 week block with our partner Midland Group Training Services (MGTS) in Coventry building the essential mechanical and electrical knowledge needed to solve manufacturing problems. Your travel accommodation and subsistence will be provided by pladis.

Youll then spend 40 hours per week (days based) applying your learnings to solve real problems with the support of our Engineering team in our Manchester bakery. After a year you will return for a further 14 week block at MGTS.

At the end of the four years you will have achieved an OAL L3 Diploma in Engineering Maintenance for a Food and Drink Engineer and will progress to a proving year in which you will be expected to demonstrate your capability for a permanent contract at the end of the five year apprenticeship.

We are looking for someone who is:

Passionate about food
Enthusiastic to try new things
Problem solver
Creative & curious
Enjoy working with people

What Youll Do After Completing Your Apprenticeship
At the end of the four years youll have the opportunity to become one of our Engineering Technicians on a highly competitive salary
Engineering Technicians form a key part of our Engineering Team responsible for;

Ensuring our lines run smoothly and efficiently by solving machine problems and carrying out planned and preventative maintenance
Enabling our teams to maintain food and health & safety standards
Championing continuous improvement by working with our Supply Chain Excellence team to improve our ways of working

Bring your experience.

Eligibility
Applicants must have been resident in the UK for 3 years
Non-UK nationals are eligible if whose their residence in the UK and Islands has not during any part of that 3 year period been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education and have permission granted by the UK government to live in the UK and such permission is not for education purposes only
We will reject applications from all applicants that do not meet these requirements

Essential

GCSE (or equivalent) Maths at grade B/5 or above (actual or predicted)
GCSE (or equivalent) English at grade D/3 or above (actual or predicted)
Scottish qualifications a minimum of two National 5 qualifications (or their equivalent) including English at grade C or above Maths at grade B or above.
Internal applicants not meeting the above qualification criteria are welcome to apply and will be evaluated internally

Our Values

Purpose led Were energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile Were ever evolving we never stand still always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive Were highly motivated optimistic courageous and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - Were persistent in the face of setbacks quick to adapt learn and move forward

Collaborative We gain strength from operating as one pladis winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients
pladis is an equal opportunities employer like every great recipe were a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work thats as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support live and work in all around the world. Where every voice is heard and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

Accessibility at Manchester: Presently our Manchester site not have step-free access or lifts between floors. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to receive other benefits and privileges of employment and where possible to perform key job functions.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race color sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin marital status veteran status disability age religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy you must have agreed to and signed our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.