Apprenticeship Programmes
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Apprenticeship Programmes
We are passionate about developing young talent and providing opportunities to the leaders of tomorrow. An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of combining work and training, developing vital skills and experience while playing a key role in feeding the nation with delicious food that’s good for people and planet.
Our apprenticeship programmes give you the chance to simultaneously step into the workplace, earn a competitive salary and achieve a valuable qualification. It provides the foundations for your future career – and the opportunity to progress into a full time role upon completion of the course.
Finnebrogue is the leading artisan food producer in the UK. We combine ground-breaking innovation, advanced high-speed production methods and artisanal values to produce fantastic food from our base in County Down – and our rapid growth means there are opportunities aplenty for hard-working and hungry candidates keen to succeed.
For more information, please email jobs@finnebrogue.com with ‘Apprenticeship’ clearly marked in the subject line.
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue apprentice?
My typical day would be to check in with the nightshift team in the morning to see if anything needs done before the dayshift team arrives. Early morning, I help the dayshift production team get started on the production lines. Then in the afternoon we complete the weekly Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedule (PPMS) on the machines.
What made you pick Finnebrogue over other companies for your apprenticeship?
Finnebrogue appealed the most over other companies because I have an interest in how the food I eat is made and what it takes for a factory to operate at such a high level, whilst also having an interest in engineering.
What would you like to get out of your apprenticeship at Finnebrogue?
I would like to have a better understanding of engineering as a whole and what is takes to keep a factory running in such demanding times. I would also like to complete my Higher Level Apprenticeship in Mechatronic Engineering (HLA) certification to be fully qualified engineer.
What’s your secret party trick?
Knowing every dance move to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would move country to either America or Australia for the change of lifestyle.
If you could meet and have dinner with any person who ever lived, who would it be and why? What would you ask that person?
Lewis Hamilton would be the one who I would like to have dinner with because he is the seven-time Formula 1 (F1) world champion and soon to be the eight-time world champion. The question would be – how does it feel to be one of the greatest drivers in F1 history?
Describe Finnebrogue in 3 words?
Demanding, challenging and fun.
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue Apprentice?
A typical day at Finnebrouge starts at 6am, when I clock in. I make my way to the workshop and review the handover sheet; this lets me know what has happened on the nightshift and lets me plan the day ahead.
Daily tasks in the workshop include: preparing equipment for the factory, disassembling mixing bowl blades to clean, package and post them to be sharpened, and reassembling new blades for the following day shift.
I have recently been trained on the proseal tool, meaning I can carry out the role of Tool Technician. This extra training has given me more responsibility and allows me to help when there is a problem with a proseal.
The rest of my day consists of observing the engineers and assisting them with tasks. The day is always filled with practical learning experiences.
What made you pick Finnebrogue over other companies for your apprenticeship?
I chose Finnebrogue because it is a well-known company and is ever expanding. There are therefore lots of opportunities for learning and career development.
What would you like to get out of your apprenticeship at Finnebrogue?
I would like to become a fully qualified engineer and have the skills to work for myself on my days off. I’m enjoying the apprenticeship and I am good at the job.
What’s your favourite food?
My favourite food is steak, homemade chips, peppers and a side of pepper sauce.
Describe Finnebrogue in three words?
Fast-paced, busy and exciting.
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue apprentice?
No two days are the same, whatever task comes your way you have to quickly react and solve the problem you’re facing. Although there are reactive maintenance tasks when machines break down, we also have our daily plant checks and preventative maintenance schedules which every engineer is assigned to.
What made you pick Finnebrogue over other companies for your apprenticeship?
Finnebrogue was an obvious choice for me because of the state-of-the-art new plant-based facility which I currently work in. There is also a wide variety of complex machinery that we work with and learn about daily.
Working alongside my supervising engineers I am gaining invaluable experience carrying out both mechanical and electrical work.
What would you like to get out of your apprenticeship at Finnebrogue?
At the end of my three-year apprenticeship programme, my goal is to have a good level of experience working with machinery, which will complement my studies at college. With the foundation degree I am studying, I will have the option to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
What’s your favourite food?
Half ‘n’ half curry rice and noddles with no veg, salted chilli chicken with no veg and prawn crackers.
What’s your secret party trick?
No hangovers.
Describe Finnebrogue in 3 words?
Exciting, enjoyable and fun.
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue Apprentice?
There is no typical day as an apprentice engineer. The job is extremely varied, which is why I enjoy it. The day could range from installing power supplies, welding, or pipe work. Every day is very busy, but no two days are ever the same.
What made you pick Finnebrogue over other companies for your apprenticeship?
I chose Finnebrogue as it was the best choice for my future career path.
What would you like to get out of your apprenticeship at Finnebrogue?
I would like to gain my Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) qualification and hopefully receive a permanent job offer at Finnebrogue.
What’s your favourite food?
My favourite food is a steak dinner.
