Skip to content

Level 3 Food Industry Technologist

Key Information


Course Duration

28 months (excluding EPA)

Start Date

October and January

Award

Food Industry Technologist Apprenticeship Certificate

Overview

Food Industry Technologists ensure that products are of the highest standard, meet legislation, and are safe to eat and drink. Apprentices will develop core skills in food safety, quality control, process improvement, and regulatory compliance, then specialise in either a food quality or food development route.

How You Learn

This course is designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. You'll be taught by industry experts and active researchers in a supportive and inclusive environment. We'll also help you to apply your new skills and behaviours to your place of work.

You'll learn through three on-campus study blocks per year (Monday to Friday for each block). The teaching will be delivered through online lectures and tutorials, work-based projects, problem solving exercises, class discussions, presentations by subject matter experts and peers, group activities, and independent study.

All years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations within your workplace by allowing you to undertake live projects, developing high quality and sustainable products in line with consumer trends.

Modules

The programme adopts a blended learning approach with modules delivered through a combination of lectures, class-based seminars, online teaching and practical work.

Module Structure

Year One

  • Food Safety/Legislation 1
  • Risk management systems - HACCP
  • Health and Safety Legislation
  • Risk management - Risk Assessments
  • Develop Self
  • Data analysis
  • Problem Solving
  • Continuous Improvement Techniques
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Quality and Food Industry standards
  • Auditing
  • Raw Materials and Specifications
  • Sustainable sourcing, ethical issues and supply chain
  • Food Defence – TACCP and VACCP

Year Two

  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Processing Technologies
  • Sensory Evaluation
  • Communication Techniques
  • Develop Self 2
  • New Product Development and Costings
  • Process Trials
  • Food Chemistry
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Legislation, regulations, and standards

Specialism: New Product Development or Quality

  • Finished product specifications (NPD option)
  • Sensory and shelf life (NPD option)
  • NPD Samples (NPD option)
  • Auditing products and processes (Quality option)

Year Three

  • Portfolio completion
  • EPA preparation: revision sessions, project support, professional discussion preparation
  • End point assessment

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.

How you are assessed

Your assessments will vary in format with opportunities to choose an area of focus related to your workplace and role. You will progress through the programme following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to prepare for End Point Assessment.

Applied Learning

All years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations within your workplace.

  • Undertake live projects – growing an understanding of research projects
  • Apply your new skills at work - learn from colleagues and complete tasks independently
  • Network with other professionals both within and outside of your organisation

You will progress through the programme following successful achievement of academic assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete End Point Assessment.

Entry Requirements

Applications can be from existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the employer with employer approval.

Applicants must:

  • be over 16
  • not be in full time education
  • have the right to abode in the UK
  • be able to achieve the standard by the end of the programme
  • be in a relevant role linked to the apprenticeship standard
  • If under 19, you will need to hold GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C) - If you don't have these yet, you'll need to achieve this level with us in additional study sessions before you take your end-point assessment.

School Grades

For school leavers, employers may have requirements linked to job role:

  • Good working level of Maths and English

For applicants with relevant work experience in food and drink manufacturing, we will consider each application on an individual basis to ensure that you are selecting the right level of programme.

Next Steps

If you are an employer:

If you want to offer this apprenticeship to an existing employee or a new recruit and have any questions, get in touch at oas@lincoln.ac.uk.

If you are an applicant:

To apply for this apprenticeship, you must first have a suitable employer who can support your application. We can support you to encourage your employer to offer an apprenticeship. You will then apply for the programme through them.

Explore Our Apprenticeships

At Lincoln, we have partnered with hundreds of businesses and public sector organisations, including the NHS and local councils, as well as industry giants Coca-Cola and Nestlé, to fulfil their training needs. Explore our range of apprenticeships to see how we can support you.

Students taking part in a practical experiment