Artisan Food & Drink Apprenticeships (From Brewing to Cheesemaking) 

People have seriously fallen in love with real food and drink. Forget the boring, mass-produced stuff you find everywhere. Unique, small-batch goodness made with love is getting all the attention, and rightly so.  

If you wanna get your hands dirty and produce incredible food, from tangy sourdough to award-winning cheeses and craft beers, an artisan food and drink apprenticeship could turn you into the next master maker. Feed your cravings and discover what an artisan food and drink apprenticeship is, how to get one and where to find them. 

The basics: What is the artisan industry, and does it offer apprenticeships? 

‘Artisan’ is a fancy word for quality foods – the kinds you’d usually find at farmers’ markets. This industry focuses on creating products by hand or using traditional methods, often in smaller batches using locally sourced ingredients.  

Unlike typical items you might find in the supermarket, artisan products are made by skilled craftspeople who genuinely care about every step of the process – and there are loads of apprenticeships keeping this talent alive. 

These programmes are designed to pass on valuable skills and knowledge to the next generation of foodies. You’ll learn techniques that might even be centuries old! So, let’s find out how you can find the best artisan food and drink apprenticeship.  

Types of artisan food & drink apprenticeships 

Cheesemaking and dairy apprenticeships  

Transforming milk into dairy products is an art, y’know! There’s also loads of science in it, which is why cheesemaking and dairy apprenticeships teach you about stuff like milk composition, fermentation, curd handling and ageing cheese.  

Brewing apprenticeships 

Maybe you’re not old enough for a drink yet, but beer is still big business. A brewing apprenticeship teaches you how to select high-quality hops and malts and manage fermentation to create a top-selling final product.  

Artisan baking apprenticeships 

We all love spending £££ on a fancy croissant, don’t we? An artisan baking apprenticeship helps you master the traditional techniques of baking, focusing on quality ingredients and methods like sourdough production. You’ll learn about oven management and dough shaping alongside essential food hygiene skills.  

Butchery apprenticeships  

This hands-on apprenticeship involves learning the skilled art of preparing meat products. You’ll get hands-on experience producing items like sausages and charcuterie in a butcher or farm shop environment.  

Entry requirements  

For Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships, you’ll probably need GCSEs in English and Maths at grade 2 or above. However, aiming for grade 4+ will make you a stronger candidate for a broader range of apprenticeships. Beyond academics, the artisan food and drink industry looks for people who have: 

• A genuine passion for food and drink and traditional craft methods.  

• A natural ability for practical work. 

• A sense of enjoyment when working in a team.  

• The ability to think on your feet and solve problems. 

Apprenticeship levels – what they mean for food & drink apprenticeships 

UK apprenticeships are categorised as levels (2-7) based on the experience and qualifications required to apply and those you will earn at the end of the programme. The levels are as follows: 

• Level 2 (intermediate) – equivalent to 5 GCSEs (grades 9 to 4) 

• Level 3 (advanced) – equivalent to 2 A-levels.  

Whole Foods Market UK has various Apprentice Programs: the Butcher, Certified Cheese Professional and Bakery Decorator. Also check out Derby Brewing’s Apprentice Brewer opportunity, and keep your eyes peeled for rare and in-demand apprenticeships at GAIL’s Bakery. 

If your sights are set on butchery, Reaseheath College is a great option for Level 2 and 3 choices.  

• Levels 4 and 5 (higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree  

You can find some employers supporting a Level 5 Dairy Technology Apprenticeship on the gov.uk website. 

• Levels 6 and 7 (degree)  

Degree apprenticeships (also known as level 6 or level 7) are a type of higher qualification that allows you to gain a full university degree during the course of your apprenticeship. Yep, a full degree without going to uni! Read more here about what degree apprenticeships are and where you can find them. 

Sector spotlight  

Being eco-friendly and ethical is a massive deal, and artisan businesses often take charge when it comes to sustainability. Small suppliers and manufacturers achieve this in different ways. For example, by sourcing ingredients locally, they’re cutting down on ‘food miles’ – that’s the journey your food takes from farm to fork.  

Plus, many artisan methods are naturally more sustainable. Think about small-batch brewing, where waste products can be repurposed, and traditional cheesemaking’s less energy-intensive methods. It’s about being kind to the planet while making delicious stuff, which is exactly what consumers want.  

Extra tips 

The number one tip for securing an artisan food and drink apprenticeship is… drum roll please… do your research! Don’t just send applications without a care in the world. Really dig into the businesses you’re interested in. What kind of cheese do they make? What’s their signature sourdough? Do they have a cool story about how they started? Knowing their vibe and products inside out will make you shine in an interview. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely passionate about produce, not just looking for a random job.  

A taste of your bright future: Apply today 

The demand for ethically produced, high-quality produce is growing every year, which means the need for skilled brewers, cheesemakers, bakers, and others is skyrocketing. An artisan food and drink apprenticeship is the right path to securing a career in this industry.  

If you’re looking for something in similar industries like hospitality and manufacturing, check out all the live, available apprenticeships on our site today.