A NEW Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance Apprenticeship course is launching at Pembrokeshire College, in collaboration with the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme, to the delight of Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies.

The initiative derives from discussions at the Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru / Food & Drink Skills Wales programme Expert Group where skills gaps in this field were identified, and aims to meet the growing demand for skilled engineers in the food and drink manufacturing sector.

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs said: “This initiative is a fantastic step forward in building a skilled workforce for the vital food and drink production and manufacturing sectors in Wales.

“By providing practical, hands-on training, this course will equip individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in these industries, ensuring a strong and sustainable future for our Welsh food and drink landscape.”

The course will commence in September 2025 at the College’s Haverfordwest Campus. This three-year apprenticeship offers a hands-on, industry-focused curriculum, designed to equip apprentices with the essential skills needed to maintain and optimise food and drink production machinery.

FDQ (Food and Drink Qualifications) will set the assignments for the course, having facilitated the key relationships and collaborations necessary for its successful inception and ensuring apprentices receive high-quality, relevant training that meets industry standards.

As part of the initiative, Pembrokeshire College is looking to recruit students to participate in the apprenticeships programme. Businesses will be invited to partner with the College, providing apprentices with valuable on-the-job experience.

Dr Barry Walters, Principal, Pembrokeshire College said: “There’s a strong demand for skilled engineers in this sector, and we are pleased to expand our current apprenticeship portfolio to better support the skills needs of our industry partners.”