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Apprentice Maintenance and Reliability Technician

Cargill PLC · York · posted 27 July 2026

Wage
£16,640 to £26,436.80 a year
Hours
40 hours a week
Duration
3 Years 3 Months
Level
Higher (Level 4)
Standard
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Starts
1 September 2026
Closing date
14 August 2026
Positions
1

Apply on the official government service →No Apprentice League account needed — we never gate applications.

Apprentices in Cargill learn via ‘classroom’ sessions and ‘on the job’, whilst earning a competitive wage, which progresses throughout the course of the programme as skills are learnt, and milestones met.

You will study in parallel with your job, training and development.

In addition to the Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship standard, your daily tasks will include:

  • Receive training in safe and effective plant operations.
  • Learn to identify and resolve problems using continuous improvement tools.
  • Learn how to carry out service and repairs on plant equipment in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
  • Develop your skills by using a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to identify and manage work activities. 
  • Contribute to improvements in site standards by providing your valued feedback.
  • In the final year of your apprenticeship, you will also expand your knowledge to include all aspects of your previous learning through showing your expertise in completion of a project.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

  • To be responsible and organised person.
  • To have good communication skills with a social approach to work.
  • Self-motivation to manage your studies alongside your on-the-job training.
  • A strong sense of accountability towards your studies and plant-based work.
  • Inquisitiveness and a strong desire to learn.
  • To be a strong team player.
  • To be proactive throughout the apprenticeship.
  • Respectful of all colleagues, fostering inclusion, and valuing difference while bring eager to learn from others who have different perspectives, backgrounds and/or styles.
  • To able to transfer skills learnt in the classroom into real world environment.
  • To have the ability to demonstrate a genuine desire to work and learn safely in an engineering/manufacturing environment.
  • To have good communication skills with a social approach to work.
  • To have a good time keeping.
  • To strive to be the best you can be.
  • Strong level of computer literacy.

Your training

You will attend York College on a day release basis (one day per week during college term time) and the remainder of your training will take place in the workplace.

Where it leads

Depending on the knowledge skills and behaviours of the apprentice upon completion, there will be a possibility of a pipeline for an ongoing technician role within Cargill, there may also be potential for progression to higher/further education.  

About Cargill PLC

Cargill is a family company committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living. 

Our 160,000 employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing - today and for generations to come.

Cargill operates some of the most technologically advanced plants in the world, operating in over 70 different counties with over 155 years in business.

We are proud of our role in the world and the breadth of influence we have as a global business. We understand our collective impact begins with our actions and is felt by our employees and our communities. From every level of our organization, we foster a true sense of allyship by welcoming, supporting, accepting and encouraging every person to be authentically themself.

Our York facility produces cocoa for the food industry.  

Things to consider

Public transport is not available to our premises at the start and end times for some of our shifts, therefore please only apply for this role if you have your own transport to our site. 

Please note that the essential entry requirement for this role is a level 3 Engineering qualification (BTEC or T level or A level).

Skills they're looking for

Communication skillsAttention to detailProblem solving skillsAnalytical skillsLogicalTeam workingInitiative

Entry requirements

  • GCSE 2 other subjects (grade 4) — essential
  • GCSE English (grade 4) — essential
  • GCSE Maths (higher) (grade 5) — essential
  • GCSE Science or a technical subject (grade 4) — essential
  • BTEC Engineering (grade pass) — essential

Where you'll work

  • Cocoa Processing Plant, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8BA

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