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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Employment, training and careers
    3. Looking for work
    4. Training programmes
    5. Apprenticeships
    6. Level 2 apprenticeship frameworks
    New Apprenticeship Image
    Apprenticeship Image

    Food and drink - level 2 apprenticeship framework

    This framework sets out the standards and criteria you must meet to complete the apprenticeship programme and receive your apprenticeship certificate for level 2 food and drink. This is the only level 2 training in this skill acceptable for apprenticeshipsni funding.

    About the framework

    This framework sets out the standards and the criteria for the delivery of a level 2 apprenticeship framework to achieve qualified status within the food and drink industry.

    Successful completion of the framework will lead to the award of a level 2 qualification showing recognition as a qualified person within the industry.   

    Mandatory outcomes

    Achievement of a level 2 apprenticeship in food and drink will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body. You must complete a combined competence and knowledge-based qualification from one of the pathways provided.  

    Mandatory essential skills

    The following essential skills are mandatory and are to be completed as part of the apprenticeship:

    • application of number – level 1
    • communication – level 1
    • information and communication technology – level 1

    However, any qualifications you already have are assessed against the framework requirements and may result in an exemption from the above.

    Competency and knowledge qualifications – pathway options

    To complete the combined competence and knowledge-based element a certificate qualification from the appropriate pathway must be achieved. If additional units are required a diploma qualification could be selected instead of the certificate. In this case the apprentice will achieve more than the minimum requirements for the framework.

    Pathway one: meat and poultry

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills (600/0518/X)
    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate In Professional Butchery 601/0674/8

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat and Poultry Industry Skills (600/0679/1)
    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma In Professional Butchery 601/0675/X

    Pathway two: baking

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills (501/0689/2)

    Diplomas:

    • City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills (501/1638/1)
    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Baking Industry Skills (501/1272/7)

    Pathway three: food industry

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills (600/0517/8)

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills (600/0443/5)

    Pathway four: food manufacturing excellence

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence (500/9392/7)

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence (501/1433/5)

    Pathway five: fish and shellfish

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills (501/1903/5)

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Fish and Shellfish Industry Skills (501/2050/5)

    Pathway six: brewing

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Brewing Industry Skills (501/0526/7)

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Brewing Industry Skills (501/1054/8)

    Pathway seven: dairy

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Dairy Industry Skills (600/1158/0)

    Pathway eight: fresh produce

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Fresh Produce Industry Skills (600/2494/X)

    Diplomas:

    • FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Fresh Produce Industry Skills (600/2499/9)

    Pathway nine: food team leading

    Certificates:

    • FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Team Leading (600/8736/5)

    Eligibility and entry requirements

    There are no formal eligibility requirements to take part in this apprenticeship. However, employers and contractors must  make sure that learners have the potential and opportunity to gain the apprenticeship successfully.

    Duration

    Apprenticeship duration can vary and will be agreed between the apprentice, training contractor and employer.

    Assessment

    The qualifications will be assessed as per the awarding organisation’s centre requirements. Assessment will take place both during and at the end of the apprenticeship, with completion being dependent on successful achievement of the qualification elements.

    Common assessment methods for this framework:

    • coursework
    • e-assessment
    • practical demonstration and observation/assignment
    • task-based controlled assessment
    • written assignment
    • portfolio of evidence
    • oral questioning

    Related knowledge

    All pathways must include mandatory induction. Employee rights and responsibilities (ERR) must be covered and confirmation of completing ERR must be included with the request for the apprenticeship certificate.

    Responsibilities

    It is the responsibility of the training contractor/ college to make sure that the requirements of this framework are delivered in line with DfE apprenticeship guidelines and operational requirements.

    The apprentice must be employed from day one.

    Further information

    The content of this framework (framework no 59 issue 12: 01/24) has been developed between the Department for the Economy and the Agri-food Manufacturing Sectoral Partnership (working with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink). 

    For further information, contact:

    • Department for the Economy - apprenticeships delivery and performance branch
    • NSAFD
    • Occupational profile - food and drink

    For employers

    If you want to take on an apprentice or improve the skills of your employees to help your business work better, the Apprenticeships programme could be for you.

    Apprenticeships for employers
    (nibusinessinfo.co.uk website)

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    Level 2 apprenticeship frameworks

    • Accounting - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Active leisure, learning and wellbeing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Agriculture - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Animal care - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Barbering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Beauty therapy - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Bookkeeping - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Business and administration - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Catering and professional chefs - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Children’s care, learning and development - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Cleaning support services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Construction - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Contact centre operations - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Customer service - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Driving goods vehicles - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Electrical power engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Equine industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Facilities services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Fashion and textiles - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Floristry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Food and drink - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Game and wildlife management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Glass industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Hairdressing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Health and social care - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Horticulture - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Hospitality - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Industrial coatings - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • IT and telecoms professional - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • IT user - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Land-based engineering - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Nail services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Passenger carrying vehicle driving – bus and coach - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Pharmacy services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Plumbing - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Printing industry - Level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Providing financial services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Rail industry - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Rail services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Retail - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Sales and telesales - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Supply chain management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Sustainable resource management - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Team leading - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Travel services - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle body and paint - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle fitting - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle maintenance and repair - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle parts - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Vehicle sales - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Veterinary nursing assistant - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Warehousing and storage - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Water utility operations - level 2 apprenticeship framework
    • Youth work - level 2 apprenticeship framework

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