Ever thought about having a practical hand on engineering role within the catering industry? With the catering industry being the third biggest employer in the UK and growing at around 2% per year this is a sector you know will be around for a long time to come. If this interests, you then read on to find out how an engineering Apprenticeship as a Level 3 Commercial Catering Equipment Technician could help you start a new career.
Entry criterial and roles available in this industry
The Apprenticeship will give everyone who enlists the ability to learn new skills and become a technician. This will involve installation, commission, maintenance and repair of various types of commercial catering equipment. Whether it be gas, electrics, plumbing or drainage this course offers a wide range of disciplines. You can also show a preference to specialise in one of those key areas. Tasks may involve visiting a single site or multiple sites in a day requiring you to work shifts or unsociable hours. The basic starting salary for a service technician starts at around £20k, going up to £40k for a fully qualified maintenance engineer.
Does this still interest you? If so, then the entry requirements for a Commercial Catering Equipment Technician is to hold or be training towards English and Mathematics Level 2 and typically hold a driving license for private/light goods vehicle use. At the end of the 30-month apprenticeship, you will be qualified and registered with Gas Safe for the types of appliances you will be working on.
Typical responsibilities of a Commercial Catering Equipment Technician
Technicians in this sector generally work on their own and therefore self-manage their daily workload, which means you will need strong communication skills and present a professional image of the company at all times, whilst ensuring a high-quality level of work, and managing the customers’ expectations. In addition to this you will be responsible for ensuring the equipment you use is fit for purpose and you have enough stock at hand to an agreed stocking level.
The role itself will include the installation, assembly and commissioning of equipment to the manufacturer’s instructions and connection to suitable services, whether it be electric, gas, water or drainage, but at the same time, to also safely remove and dispose of equipment no longer required or that are no longer safe to use. Where a fault has occurred, you will need to identify and diagnose the problem and make the appropriate repair in accordance with any legislation such as being Gas Safe.
Commercial Catering Equipment Technician Competencies
As part of being a field service technician, you will carry out the key duties for commercial catering equipment, in doing so you will satisfy several competencies, such as:
- Service equipment in line with manufacturers and local regulations, which also means following the health and safety at work compliance.
- Accurately diagnose and repair faults to equipment, to a high standard so no repeat fault or call out occurs.
- Follow and interpret manufacturer specifications and guidelines to install and commission a wide range of equipment, including ovens, dishwashers and ancillary equipment.
- Test and monitor equipment, using the correct tools, to ensure they are operating in accordance with the specifications and local legislations including air quality tests.
- Decommission and remove old and redundant equipment, whilst leaving the installation in a safety condition as per health and safety compliance.
- During any work carried out ensure all services are safely isolated and locked-off in accordance with local safety legislation.
- Efficiently plan your work schedule and logistics to meet the customers’ requirements.
- Communicate with customer efficiently and clearly on all work carried out including instructions for correct use.
All the above will be carried out to local health and safety at work legislations, along with performing a risk assessment to ensure a safe working environment, such as working at height or use of Personal Protective Equipment to work safely.
Knowledge modules and End-Point-Assessment
In this Level 3 Apprenticeship, you will gain the skills and knowledge to become a successful commercial catering equipment technician, through a range of knowledge modules and exams including:
- Principle of operation of commercial catering equipment.
- An understanding of basic preventative maintenance tasks and procedure.
- To identify the specific servicing procedure.
- The principles of electricity, systems and circuits including earth bonding. Electrical safety testing.
- Gas – working safely and the function, set up and adjustment of gas components.
- Types of materials and installation processes for water and drainage.
- Regulations and Legislation: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Electricity at Work (1989) Regulations, Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
These are just a few of the key modules you will come across and develop through your 30 month apprenticeship, but in order to show you understand the knowledge and skills gained, you will undertake a three part end-point-assessment (EPA) consisting of, a practical demonstration, and interview which is underpinned by your portfolio of evidence gained whilst on the course and finally a multi-choice test.
Conclusion
This Level 3 Apprenticeship is an ideal starting point for anyone looking into a career as a catering equipment technician in the commercial industry, giving the trainee experiences in the fields of electrics, gas and water, but also giving them a wider number of skills including communication and self-management which will aid progression in their working career and further their development into a field service engineer.
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