You can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a food and drink process operator.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Bottler
Alternative titles for this job include Bottling operative
Bottlers fill, pack and operate bottling machinery in food, drink and bottling factories.
Average salary (a year)
£13,500 Starter
to£24,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
41 to 43 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends on shifts
How to become a bottler
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- specialist training offered by a professional body
Apprenticeship
Direct application
There are no set entry requirements if you want to apply directly for jobs, but some employers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths. Any previous practical experience you have in manufacturing will be useful.
Other routes
You could do the General Certificate in Packaging offered by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. You'll normally need to be working in a bottling plant or small brewery to do this.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
- the ability to work well with your hands
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- setting up machines and starting the bottling process
- sorting out any problems with the production line so bottling is not held up
- reporting more serious machinery problems to your line manager or a technician
- keeping machinery clean and sterile, to meet high standards of food safety
- making sure bottles or jars are correctly filled and labelled
Working environment
You could work in a factory.
Your working environment may be noisy.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could progress to team supervisor or manager.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Apprentice Quality Assurance Assistant
- Wage : £174.00 - £328.40 Weekly
- Location: Mansfield NG20 8RU
Apprentice Cider Technician
- Wage : £211.53 Weekly
- Location: Winscombe BS25 5RA
Courses In England
Performing Manufacturing Operations ( Level 2)
- Provider: Blackburn College
- Start date: 03 September 2019
- Location: BLACKBURN
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Improving operational performance - Pathway - Performing Manufacturing Operations.
- Provider: SPRINGFIELDS FUELS LIMITED
- Start date: 01 August 2019
- Location:
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