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11 February 2025

Apprenticeships – a talent success story

British Sugar’s apprenticeship scheme continues to go from strength to strength with its largest intake year yet starting in September 2024, and a brand-new scheme in Control Engineering added to the intake for 2025.

An apprenticeship is a great way to start your career with us in the British sugar beet industry. Learning practical skills will take up approximately 80% of your time by working alongside our industry experts and you’ll spend the remaining 20% working towards your qualification.

In 2024, the apprenticeship scheme was expanded to include four brand new apprenticeships, with opportunities spanning across engineering, agriculture, IT and commercial. In 2025, another new scheme has been added specialising in Control Engineering. Each apprenticeship ranges in duration from 18 months through to 55 months, and result in Level 2 to Level 6 Qualifications.

The apprenticeship scheme at British Sugar is deeply embedded within the business, and with over 80% of apprentices still working within the business over a decade later; it’s testament to the time, dedication and energy that has been put into the programmes over many decades.

We are proud that our apprentices represent diverse backgrounds and are passionate about ensuring that our apprenticeships are available to everyone, no matter if you’re a school leaver or are looking for a career change later in life.

Hear from some of our apprentices and those that are now working for British Sugar having successfully completed their apprenticeship:

• Harvey, Electrical Engineering Apprentice: “In my first month I spent lots of time learning about how to stay safe on site and the basics to electrical engineering. Once I had completed my induction, I was able to start working on site. In the last three months I have been working on site and feel I have vastly improved my knowledge of electrical engineering. Everyone has been more then helpful in ensuring I have a strong core knowledge to improve upon. I currently feel like I am in a very good place with what I have learnt, and I am very excited to continue my development. At British Sugar I feel like I am already part of the team and making a difference. I would recommend this apprenticeship to anyone who has a passion for engineering.”
• Amber, Mechanical Technician: “When having to make the decision on what to do when leaving school, I really wasn’t sure what to do at all. I looked at all the options out there; sixth form, college and apprenticeships. For me, only one option stood out the most. The option to achieve a qualification, industry experience and knowledge as well as getting paid at the same time. I am more a practical person. I enjoy being on the tools and physically working on a job with my hands, so for me the option of both gaining a trade while being able to work in the factory was really important to me when choosing my option.”
• Mickey, Farm Support Coordinator: “Embarking on the journey of a Customer Service Apprenticeship at British Sugar has been a transformative experience for me. Joining British Sugar in November 2020 as a customer service apprentice marked the beginning of my journey. Working across different functions within the business, I immersed myself in the customer service apprenticeship programme, gaining not only theoretical knowledge but also developing strong interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of the business. The experience at British Sugar exceeded my expectations, offering me a sense of value and impact in my role. The opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals in a friendly environment further enriched my learning journey. As I completed my apprenticeship, I transitioned into a role as a member of the British Sugar Services Associate in the Agriculture department.”
• Rositta, Process Technician: “I am still at the beginning of my career. The apprenticeship has given me the knowledge required to hopefully be an asset to the company and my team. With the 3 areas Extraction, Refinery or Pulp Management under my belt I can provide flexibility within the team and move onto whichever area requires me. I have helped support the training of several people since finishing my apprenticeship, which has helped to consolidate my knowledge and gain further confidence. I hope to continue to build on the skills I have learnt and good working relationships”

British Sugar’s apprentice scheme is open for submissions to join us in September 2025.

Find out more here: Apprenticeships at British Sugar