Dairy Technologist

You’ll help develop and produce dairy products on a dairy technologist apprenticeship course.

A skilled dairy scientist is essential to the dairy industry. Using a firm foundation of dairy science and technical competence, you’ll ensure that raw materials such as milk from cows, sheep, and goats are transformed into a range of finished items such as liquid milk, cheeses, ice creams, and powders and components.

You will learn how to make dairy products and manage the process, filling/packing, cleaning plant activities, and other dairy unit operations. 

One of the key objectives will be to ensure that plant performance and end dairy product and volume meet requirements and expectations.

You’ll be in charge of monitoring waste levels and ensuring that the production environment is clean, following laws, regulations, and product quality requirements.

Continuous improvement, problem resolution, project management, testing, and trials are everyday tasks in all disciplines.

What you’ll learn

On a dairy technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

• Gradedmilk and creams, fermented commodities and starter cultures, butter, cheese (both by hand and automated), personalised milk, milk and whey powders, and ice cream. 
• Control the maturing, ripening, and texture development of cheese.
• Develop new dairy products and practices that are both cost-effective and compliant.
• Demonstrate understanding of microbiological concepts as they pertain to dairy product manufacturing.
• Use CI methodologies to solve operational problems, improve products, optimise working methods, boost efficiency, and reduce waste.
• Collect and analyse product samples to help laboratories investigate product quality, standards, and legal compliance. Data analysis and reporting, as well as action planning, are all part of the job.
• Comply with all applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and organisational standards for food safety and cleanliness and develop Critical Control Point plans for Hazard Analysis, Threat Assessment, and Vulnerability Assessment (HACCP, TACCP and VACCP).
• Conduct an environmental audit and provide suggestions.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Two GCSEs in English language and maths, A-level or equivalent qualifications, or dairy industry experience.
• Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment consists of two distinct assessment methods: 

• A work-based project, presentation and VIVA/Interview that allows the apprentice to demonstrate knowledge, skills and behaviours and delivers value back to the business
• An observation to assess the apprentice’s ability to work as part of a team and produce a range of products to a satisfactory standard.

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 5 Dairy Technologist Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.