Level 6 Food Industry Technical Professional

Introduction to the Apprenticeship

The food industry is one of the largest, most dynamic, and fastest growing sectors of industry. Every day, producers, food manufacturers, and retailers make and sell millions of innovative food products such as drinks, cakes, biscuits, ready to eat and ready to cook food, sandwiches, wraps, fresh fruit, and salads to consumers in the UK and around the world. Technical Professionals are passionate about their industry and ensure all products are safe to eat, of consistent appearance, taste, and texture, and take great pride in their work.

There are a wide variety of Technical Professional roles: Assistant Food Technical Manager, Quality Manager, Shift Quality Manager, Hygiene Manager, and Product Innovation and Development Technologist. They ensure the safety and quality of food products which includes improving existing products and launching new products, working with operational teams to develop good practices and procedures, and developing good relationships with internal and external customers. They may be employed by a grower, a food manufacturer, or by a retailer. This degree allows for specialism in Food and Drink, Product Development, Seafood, or Agri-Produce.

Technical professionals utilise their knowledge to ensure the smooth transition of food and drink products from farm to fork. They ensure that technical and quality standards are achieved whilst maximising profitability to meet customer requirements. They have a set of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that provide the opportunity for an exciting and rewarding career in the food industry.

The first level of study can be taken as a Certificate of Higher Education alongside the level 4 process leader apprenticeship standard. This is intended to support learners who want to attempt study in higher education, but who do not want to commit initially to the full 4.5-year programme. They have the option to top up to the full BSc (Hons) programme if they are successful.

Apprenticeship Standard

For more information about the Level 6 manufacturing manager, please visit:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/food-industry-technical-professional-integrated-degree-v1-0

Degree Modules

The standard supports those who are working towards or are currently managing team quality or product development and achieving operational or departmental goals and objectives, as part of the delivery of an organisation's strategy. They may be accountable to a more senior manager or the business owner.

Modules include:

• Managing Self and Others in the Food and Drink Industry
• Food and Drink Governance, Legislation, and Compliance
• Food and Drink Process Operations Management
• Food and Drink Business Management
• Project Management and Management of Change
• Principles of Food and Drink Science
• Food and Drink Process and Product Development
• Option
• Food and Drink Science and Technology
• Product Development
• Seafood Science and Technology
• Agri-Produce Science and Technology
• Food and Drink Foundation Project
• Supply Chain and Defence Management
• Technical Management
• Undertaking Research: Current Issues
• Food Industry Technical Professional End Point Assessment

Apprenticeship End Point Assessment

Apprentices typically spend a 48 months on-programme (before the gateway) working towards the occupational standard and should meet the off the job requirements for an apprenticeship.

The EPA period should only start once the employer is satisfied that the apprentice is deemed to be consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard. Apprentices without English and mathematics at level 2 must achieve level 2 prior to taking their EPA. The EPA must be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 6 months, the EPA consists of 2 discrete assessment methods:

• Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio of evidence
• Project report

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please visit:

https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/media/1228/food_industry_technical_professional.pdf

Contact us for more information about how to apply: ncfm@lincoln.ac.uk or 01406 493000