Process Engineering Apprentice - British Sugar

Overview

British Sugar are the sole processor of the UK’s beet sugar crop, we work in partnership with over 3,000 growers and our customers to deliver a world-class product that is made to the highest standards every day.

We are the leading producer of sugar for the British and Irish food and beverage markets, processing around eight million tonnes of sugar beet and producing up to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar each year.

Our apprenticeship schemes are a great way to start your career with the only sugar producer in the UK that uses farm assured beet crops and partners with 2,300 growers. Maybe you are about to finish school or college or are looking for a new career. Learning practical skills for 80% of your time by working alongside our experts and spending 20% of your time working towards your qualification that we pay for, as well as your salary and benefits.

Our apprenticeships take between 2.5-4.5 years before moving to your first role.

You’ll receive a warm welcome in an inclusive culture where we respect and value your opinions and innovation. We are big enough to provide a varied and interesting career, small enough for you to make an impact.

In this apprenticeship, you will follow a Process Engineering pathway, learning the science behind how we make sugar and how to control and monitor our process plants and its equipment efficiently, economically, and safely from slicing to diffusion and evaporation, to filtering.

This scheme gives you the opportunity to:

• Learn how the key operational functions Extraction, Refinery, Pulp Management, Energy, Co-Products and Customer Supply work within our factories.
• Gain a solid knowledge of our processes and equipment.
• Understand our systems and procedures to work safely and efficiently.
• Develop the behavioural skills to be a great team member

A 36-month learning programme, following the Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician Standard, gaining all the practical experience alongside, to be ready to move into a Process Technician role.

Working from our Bury St Edmunds factory site, on a 12-hour shift pattern comprising of day and night shifts. This includes working some weekends and bank holidays.

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Level 5/C or above which must include Maths, English and a Science.

Candidates must be able to travel to the workplace.

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job adverts early, in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please do not delay in submitting your application.

The closing date for this job offer is on 05/04/2026

£27,000 per annum

This job is located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

West Suffolk College is an ambitious vocational and academic College, with a stunning main campus set in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. We are committed to providing outstanding education to all our students.