Modern Apprenticeships / SVQs

An introduction to Modern Apprenticeships

Modern Apprenticeships (which include an SVQ qualification) mix industry-recognised qualifications with on-the-job training to give your staff the skills they need in everything from production and operations to more technical and commercial areas of the business.

Not only are they nationally recognised, but they are also government-backed, work-based training programmes which are specifically tailored to meet the skill needs of employers while giving employees the opportunity to achieve a respected qualification.

The right training can help your business improve efficiency, assist with audits such as BRC, ISO, HACCP and Health and Safety, and increase the value of your staff, proving that they are competent in their job whilst boosting morale and increasing staff retention.

Whether you work in fish processing, a fishmongers, fish frying, a bakery, meat processing, an abattoir, butchery, fresh produce, dairy or another type of food and drink manufacturing, there is always a pathway to fit your needs within the modern apprenticeship programme.

Learning Pathways

A Modern Apprenticeship level 2 qualification is a good option for employees who do not have a professional qualification in food and drink, and the majority of their role is not at management level. For those at management level, a level 3 qualification is the better option.

Alternatively, for employees with some supervisory experience, we can guide them through the level 2 qualification and also include some level 3 units to help them develop in their supervisory role.

Candidates undertaking the qualification must also achieve a set of core skills and complete two additional requirements if they have not already achieved them in previous education. Funding is sometimes available for all ages and is provided by Skills Development Scotland, so there may be no direct cost to you and your employees.

A Level 2 SVQ qualification requires a candidate to complete eight units, two of which are mandatory.

All of the pathways within an SVQ are relevant to a specific sector in the food and drink industry. This is undertaken in the workplace to assess a candidate’s competence whilst they are doing their job. If we feel an employee is not meeting the required standard, we will work with them to help them achieve this. If you have any specific concerns or areas you want us to focus on, then we can also build this into the programme.

The pathways involved in a food and drink operations level 2 qualification are:

• Meat and Poultry Skills
• Fresh Produce Skills
• Production and Processing Skills
• Distribution Skills
• Food Sales and Service Skills
• Fish and Shellfish Processing Skills

Mandatory Units:

• Maintain workplace food safety standards in manufacture
• Maintain the workplace and health & safety in food manufacture

A Level 3 SVQ qualification requires a candidate to complete eight units, one of which is mandatory. This tends to be a progression from level 2 but can be used from the start for candidates who are in a more supervisory or technical role.

This is also undertaken in the workplace and is carried out to assess a candidate’s competence whilst they are doing their job. If we feel an employee is not meeting the required standard, we will work with them to help them achieve this. If you have any specific concerns or areas you want us to focus on, then we can also build this into the programme.

The pathways involved in a food and drink operations level 3 qualification are:

• Meat and Poultry Skills
• Supply Chain Skills
• Food and Drink Operations
• Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills