Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

Watts Farms; Farningham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based farm is seeking an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer to join their team in Farningham. This role offers hands-on experience and structured training as you assist with machinery maintenance and repairs. The apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to learn while earning a full-time salary. Ideal candidates are practical, curious, and eager to develop skills in a fast-paced environment. Join us to build a successful maintenance capability and advance your career in engineering.

Benefits

Fully funded Level 3 engineering apprenticeship

31 days holiday

Training alongside experienced contractors

Qualifications

• Willingness to learn and grow.
• Motivated and proactive attitude.
• Reliable in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planned maintenance on machinery.
• Support during breakdowns and repairs.
• Monitor equipment performance.
• Help with machinery changeovers.

Skills

Practical and hands on

Curious about machinery

Good at problem solving

Experience with tools

Education

No prior engineering experience required

Job description

Overview

Are you practical, curious and ready to begin a hands on career in engineering?

This is a unique opportunity to join Watts Farms as we establish our in house maintenance capability.

About the role

At Watts Farms, we operate a busy, fast paced packhouse supplying fresh herbs and baby leaf products across the UK.

You’ll be right at the centre of production learning how equipment works, how breakdowns are handled, and how we keep machinery running efficiently. This apprenticeship offers structured technical training alongside valuable real world experience.

About the Apprenticeship

You will be enrolled onto the Level 3 Food & Drink Maintenance Engineer Apprenticeship, a nationally recognised qualification tailored to engineering roles within food manufacturing.

Your training will include:

• Block release training with a specialist apprenticeship training provider
• On site learning with our Packhouse Manager
• Practical experience gained by shadowing and working with external contractors who upkeep and repair our equipment

This route is ideal for someone who wants a mix of technical training and real operational exposure.

What you’ll be doing

As our Apprentice Maintenance Engineer, you will:

• Assist with basic planned maintenance on packing and processing machinery
• Support external contractors during breakdowns, repairs and servicing
• Help with machinery changeovers and production set-ups
• Learn fault finding and basic diagnostic skills
• Monitor equipment performance and help identify improvements
• Keep accurate records of maintenance tasks and parts used
• Build detailed knowledge of our equipment through hands-on practice

What we’re looking for

You don’t need any previous engineering experience, just the right attitude and willingness to learn.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Practical and hands on
• Curious about how machinery works
• Keen to develop technical skills
• Reliable, motivated and proactive
• Good at problem solving and communication
• Experience with tools, mechanics or technical hobbies is advantageous.

Working Hours

This is a full time position working 42.5 hours per week across 5 days.

What we offer

• Full time paid role while you train
• Fully funded Level 3 engineering apprenticeship
• Training alongside experienced specialist contractors
• Wide exposure to production and packaging equipment
• Genuine long term career development opportunities
• 31 days holiday (including bank holidays)

Why join us?

At Watts Farms, we thrive on challenge and change. The pace and pressure of our 24/7 operation keeps us on our toes, while offering great opportunities to learn and grow. We encourage everyone to work hard, show initiative and develop new skills. And it’s exciting… because only by mentoring and role modelling our success and innovation, will we continue to diversify, grow as individuals and succeed together.

Joining us as an Apprentice Maintenance Engineer is an exciting opportunity to be part of developing a new in house maintenance capability. You’ll gain hands on experience across a wide range of machinery, working alongside external engineers and contractors while receiving guidance and support from our Packhouse Manager.

If you have the requirements listed to become our Apprentice Maintenance Engineer, please click ‘apply’ today. We’d love to hear from you!

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment.

Please note: Employment checks will include Drugs & Alcohol test