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Apprentices

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Take your first career steps with us

We have a well-established and successful apprentice programme that offers entry routes into lots of different areas of our business. Whether you are interested Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, Food Science, Business, Finance or IT we have opportunities for you to get your career off to the best start.

As the UK’s leading food manufacturer investing in our future is crucial to our success, our apprenticeship programmes are a way of us finding talented ambitious and hardworking people who want to get hand on experience whilst achieving a recognised qualification.

We offer a competitive salary as well as a real job from day one. The best way to learn how our business operates and for you to develop is to be given the chance to add real value from the start.

We offer both Advanced & Higher level Apprenticeships at Bakkavor.

Our Advanced Apprenticeships are available to anyone who has 5 GCSE (or equivalent) qualifications at Grades 9-4 (or A*-C if taken in 2017 or before).

Our Higher Apprenticeships are available to anyone who has A-Level (or equivalent) qualifications.

The Apprenticeships we have available change by level, site and business area each year so check out our job board when the vacancies go live each year to see what we are recruiting for.

Meet our Apprentices

Don’t just take our word for it – listen to what our current apprentices have to say.

Check out more apprenticeship journeys below:

Start to grow your career

Apprentices

When does the recruitment window for apprentices open/close? What apprenticeships do you have available? What is the difference between advanced & higher? How much do apprentices get paid? Which college will i attend? will i get a choice in it? Will i get moved around different sites during my apprenticeship? Am i guaranteed a job at the end of my apprenticeship? Will i get a qualification as part of my apprenticeship? What qualifications will i need to do an apprenticeship? What is the application process?

When does the recruitment window for apprentices open/close?

We accept applications between October and December each year. Sometimes the adverts stay live longer.

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What apprenticeships do you have available?

We have two levels of apprentices – Advanced & Higher – The types and locations of these vary each year so please look at our jobs board for the latest vacancies.

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What is the difference between advanced & higher?

Advanced apprentices do a Level 3 qualification and you need 5 GCSE’s at 9 – 4 (A* - C) including English and Maths to apply and Higher apprentices do a L4 or L5 qualification and you need to have A-Levels to apply.

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How much do apprentices get paid?

Our advanced programme starts on £16,000 rising to £18,000 in year 2 & our Higher programme starts on £17,500 and rises to £19,500 in year 2. Engineering and Procurement get further increase in Year 3 & Year 4.

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Which college will i attend? will i get a choice in it?

We have partnerships with a number of universities, colleges, and training providers around the country so it depends on which programme you were doing at which site. We select the most suitable provider for you.

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Will i get moved around different sites during my apprenticeship?

Only if you are a Procurement Apprentice, that programme involves placements. All our other apprenticeships are based at one site for the duration of your apprenticeship. You can apply to move to other sites once you have completed your apprenticeship.

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Am i guaranteed a job at the end of my apprenticeship?

If you successfully complete your qualification and are performing well in your role then you are guaranteed a permanent role with us.

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Will i get a qualification as part of my apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship itself is a qualification but some of them have additional qualifications as part of them such as CIPD, CIMA, AAT or HEC’s.

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What qualifications will i need to do an apprenticeship?

You will need at least a C or equivalent in Maths & English at GCSE to do any apprenticeship. Our standard is 5 GCSEs at grades A-C including Maths & English, with any Science as well if you are applying for our Technical apprenticeship. Then 3 A-D A levels for Higher apprentices.

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What is the application process?

You apply through the Careers section of the Bakkavor website. You are then sent a link to complete a short video interview, the final stage is an assessment centre at the site you have applied for. You need to be successful at each stage to progress.

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Information for Parents & Teachers

As a Teacher or a parent finding the right information is crucial so you can give guidance to your children or students about their options.

We can’t tell you what’s best for an individual, everyone has their own passions, abilities, strengths and learning styles. Some will thrive in an educational environment and others will find a more practical pathway and entering work earlier more rewarding.

What we can tell you is that Bakkavor has career pathways that will appeal to all. It is the chance to gain extra skills and qualifications, experience a working environment and earn a wage. The size of the decision for any person cannot be underestimated and as a trusted advisor you’ll want to offer informed advice to those around you.

Here’s some highlights of our Apprentice Scheme
  • A permanent job (dependent on performance and achievement of their apprenticeship standard)
  • Nationally recognised, relevant, qualifications delivered by some of the best training providers in the country
  • A two-year structured internal training programme in addition to their qualification
  • Developing and enhancing a wide range of life skills
  • A competitive salary and lots of fantastic benefits
  • Excellent career opportunities
  • A mentor and buddy to ease the transition to professional life
  • A ready-made social life, should they want it – with their peer group and in the office location
  • The possibility of continuing their education up to Master’s degree level, fully funded by Bakkavor, upon completion of their apprenticeship
Find out more

If you have any questions that haven’t been answered on this page then please email our Group Apprentice Manager, Cian Short: cian.short@bakkavor.com