Commercial catering equipment technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 2.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Commercial Catering Equipment Technician apprenticeship trains you to install, service, and repair the professional kitchen equipment found in restaurants, hospitals, schools, and hotels. You will work with gas, electrical, and refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and keeping commercial kitchens operational. This trade leads to careers with equipment manufacturers, specialist service companies, or as a self-employed technician.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Gas safety legislation and working safely on gas catering appliances
Electrical principles and safe isolation procedures for commercial equipment
Refrigeration fundamentals and legal requirements for F-gas handling
Fault diagnosis on a wide range of ovens, fryers, and dishwashers
Reading manufacturers' technical manuals and wiring diagrams
Customer service skills and completing service documentation accurately
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Commission and test newly installed commercial catering equipment
Service and maintain gas ovens, fryers, grills, and combination appliances
Diagnose electrical and mechanical faults using test instruments
Order and fit replacement parts to manufacturers' specifications
Complete gas safety and electrical safety certificates after each job
Advise kitchen staff on correct equipment use and basic maintenance
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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