To address the growing shortage of skilled engineers in Wales’ food and drink manufacturing sector, Pembrokeshire College is launching a three-year Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship. The programme, developed in collaboration with the Food & Drink Skills Wales initiative, responds to industry demand identified through sector-wide consultation.
Starting in September 2025 at the Haverfordwest campus, the course combines hands-on technical training with practical experience provided through business partnerships. Apprentices will gain the necessary skills to support, maintain, and optimise production systems critical to food and beverage operations.
The apprenticeship was shaped with input from industry leaders via the Skills Wales programme’s Expert Group and is aligned with sector-specific qualifications set by FDQ (Food and Drink Qualifications). Businesses across south-west Wales are being encouraged to partner with the college to support the recruitment and training of apprentices.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen workforce development in Wales’ agri-food economy, ensuring manufacturers can access job-ready talent to improve operational resilience and meet future demands.