Improve Proficiency Apprenticeship in Food & Drink

This qualification is ideal for those who currently work within the food manufacturing industry and wish to gain a nationally recognised qualification. This qualification is based on the Apprenticeship framework set by Improve, the sector skills council for food and drink manufacturing, and is made up of:

• Food & Drink Qualifications Improve Proficiency Qualification (IPQ),
• Key Skills level 1 in Application of number and Communication*

The apprenticeship is aimed at operative level and there are no entry requirements.

*If recent GCSE qualifications include Maths and/or English at level C or above, these can be used as concessions in place of taking the Key skill qualification

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate competence and gather evidence to build their IPQ and Key Skills e-portfolios.

Delivery is flexible and tailored to individual company requirements. All training is delivered on site and during the candidates normal working hours/shift. Candidates build an e-portfolio of evidence during this award, which is theirs to keep, and can be a useful reference guide. Once a month assessors will visit candidates and carry out direct observations on the shop floor. Candidates also have a visit from a key skills tutor each month and receive classroom based Key Skills training. This qualification will take approximately 12 months from induction to completion of the award. All visits are planned in advance with the employer to ensure that disruption to the workplace is minimised.