Food Technologist

On a food technologist apprenticeship course, you’ll help ensure food and drink products are of the right quality and are safe to eat and drink.

The food science industry provides a diverse variety of employment and career opportunities. Food scientists may work for a farmer, a large or small food corporation, or a retailer, and they may be required to travel extensively. 

As a result, you’ll learn critical skills and knowledge to prepare you for a rewarding and intriguing career in the food and beverage sector.

What you’ll learn

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

• Set up and maintain risk management systems (e.g. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
• Use a range of IT platforms to analyse and assess data to find trends and drive decisions. Continuous Enhancement (CI).
• Provide and analyse management data and information (reports and presentations).
• Carry out internal audits and take part in external audits.
• Experiment with sensory evaluation tasks.
• Investigate and respond to problems, such as customer complaints and quality concerns.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
• Establish and sustain fruitful relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees.
• To solve problems, use problem-solving techniques, such as root cause analysis and research methodologies.
• Negotiate with colleagues.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant 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 comprises three distinct assessment methods: 

• A written knowledge test answered through a combination of multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions  
• A work-based and job-related workplace project and presentation 
• Professional dialogue and interview

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 3 Food 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