Food and beverage processing

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications — tailored to your business's specific needs.

The food and beverage processing programmes provide nationally recognised qualifications that combine practical workplace training with technical  knowledge. They equip people with the skills to work in entry level or production roles in the food or beverage processing sectors, handling, preparing, packaging, storing, and controlling processes for food and drink products. Training covers operating equipment, working within hygiene and food safety systems, quality procedures, and workplace safety.

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Benefits of these programmes

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  • Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
  • A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
  • Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility
  • Build skills in food safety and hygiene, operating processing or packaging equipment, handling and storage of raw materials and products, and quality control
  • Ability to work productively from early stages, with clear progression into roles with more responsibility as process control, quality systems and efficiency demands increase
  • Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.
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How we work with you

We partner with members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers in your industry, identifying potential learners, and encouraging work placements.

We also ensure your industry’s qualifications continue to meet needs, support industry events like conferences, and regularly celebrate your learners’ success.

When apprentices enrol, we assign them a Competenz account manager. Our account managers understand the industry and the skills learners and businesses need to gain.

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice

Use this form to register with Competenz. We’ll get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.

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Onboarding guides

Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays — your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how to help your apprentice succeed.

Onboarding guides →
See your business impact

View the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. The lasting value of investing in your workforce.

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The dairy industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled technicians. Training your own people is the most reliable way to build capability that actually stays.

Competenz Training Advisor — Dairy Systems, Waikato region

You run the operation. We handle the training architecture.

What do they do?

Food and beverage manufacturing workers make flour products (miller), beer products (brewery worker) or food products. They typically work in factories or on large production lines and with more experience can become production managers in their area of expertise.

A typical day

Typically an eight-hour day or shift work.

Food manufacturing workers work on different parts of the production line, learning specific skills for each role.

You may also undertake training on specialist equipment and may learn to make minor repairs and maintain the equipment you use.
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Sounds like you?

If you’re practical, curious about how things work, and comfortable in both workshops and outdoors — this is worth reading.

Study areas that help

  • English
  • Economics
  • Food or Nutrition
  • Physical Education or Health.

Helpful experience

  • Customer service or helping people
  • Working with machinery
  • Working with computers.

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Work environments

  • Inside (workshop or plant)
  • One place everyday.

Good to have

Problem-solving mindset

  • Confident communicator
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good initiative/‘can do’ attitude
  • Good work habits/time
    management.

Career pathway

The apprenticeship is the foundation — not the ceiling.

School

Getting ready

There are no minimum entry requirements

  • Food Technology – Health and Safety

Entry level

Traineeship

  • Process Worker
  • Miller
  • Brewery Worker.

Advancing

Higher learning

  • Team Leader
  • Specialist Technical Advisor
  • Plant Supervisor
  • Production Manager
  • Teacher/Tutor.

Senior

Higher learning

  • Business Manager
  • Business Owner.

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Common questions

How do I set up my account for Competenz Central?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I’m an international student - can I do an apprenticeship or traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need a visa or work permit?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How old do I need to be?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How long is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How much does an apprenticeship/traineeship cost?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I have a job, what do I do next?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need to be employed to be an apprentice/trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What experience do I need to do an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be a trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be an apprentice?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Who is Competenz?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.