Maintenance Apprentice

Extons Foods is looking for a Maintenance Apprentice to join its engineering and maintenance team. This is an opportunity to develop skills while keeping modern production and processing equipment safe, reliable and operating effectively. Alongside workplace training, you will work towards an engineering maintenance apprenticeship.

What you'll do

As a Maintenance Apprentice, you will work alongside experienced engineers and gradually develop the practical skills needed to maintain production plant and equipment. Duties are expected to include:

• Supporting planned, preventative and reactive maintenance activities
• Assisting with fault finding and diagnosing mechanical and electrical equipment issues
• Helping to repair, replace and maintain components and return equipment to operational condition
• Learning to inspect, test and safely work on production machinery and associated systems
• Supporting the installation, assembly and dismantling of mechanical and electrical equipment where required
• Following engineering procedures, safe systems of work and site health and safety requirements
• Keeping accurate maintenance records and communicating effectively with the engineering and production teams
• Developing an understanding of food manufacturing requirements and the importance of minimising production downtime

Specific equipment, shift responsibilities and duties will be confirmed by Extons Foods.

Training

The successful candidate will complete a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician - Dual Discipline apprenticeship, developing skills across both electrical and mechanical maintenance. Training will combine learning with practical experience at Extons Foods. The apprenticeship covers maintaining plant and equipment, planned and preventative maintenance, fault diagnosis, repair and replacement of components, and safe engineering working practices.

Training delivery arrangements, including attendance / release pattern and any additional qualifications, will be confirmed at interview.

After the apprenticeship

This apprenticeship is designed to build the skills needed for a career in engineering maintenance. Extons Foods promotes opportunities for employees to learn and progress. Potential progression could include a permanent engineering maintenance role and further development within engineering. Any guaranteed role or specific progression route is TO BE CONFIRMED.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness

Qualifications

• Desired: GCSE, English (grade 4)
• Desired: GCSE, Maths (grade 4)

About the employer

Extons Foods is a family-owned cheese processing business based in Wythenshawe. Established in 2000, the company specialises in slicing, grating and packing cheese for retail, manufacturing and foodservice customers across the UK. Extons operates from a 54,000 sq. ft. site and has continued to invest in modern production facilities and technology. The business describes its culture as caring, passionate and inclusive, with a focus on supporting people to thrive and progress.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3), Engineering and manufacturing
• Apprenticeship level: Advanced (level 3)
• Training provider: ROCHDALE TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
• Expected duration: 4 Years
• Hours: 37 hours a week. Working week: 6.00am - 2.00pm - working days, shift pattern, start / finish times and weekly hours.
• Start date: 19 November 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £15,392 to £24,454.04 a year