Name:
Freya Leigh Shields
Age:
19
What is your area of focus / What certifications or qualifications are you working towards?
I am currently completing a Level 3 Food and Drink Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). My role spans both mechanical and electrical engineering and I work closely with senior engineers at CCEP’s Wakefield manufacturing site to diagnose and repair breakdowns, optimise machinery performance, and improve overall production efficiency.
With the support of my line manager, I’m currently pushing to complete my apprenticeship by the end of this year. I’m really excited about continuing to build my technical skills from here, and I have my sights set on pursuing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in engineering once I’ve completed my current qualification.
What inspired you to pursue an apprenticeship in food manufacturing?
I’ve always been drawn to hands-on, practical work - and this initially sparked my interest in pursuing a career in electrics. At the same time, I wanted to challenge myself and expand my skillset beyond just electrical work, and I was open to exploring a range of industries to make that a reality.
The apprenticeship with CCEP was the perfect opportunity to gain real-world experience while earning qualifications. I was drawn to the chance to build both mechanical and electrical engineering experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. The idea of keeping complex machinery running smoothly and problem-solving under pressure was exciting, and it felt like the ideal way to grow in the field.
My time in the industry so far has far exceeded my expectations. The scale of food and drink production has fascinated me, and working at the biggest soft drink plant in Europe means I’m part of a site that produces over a billion litres of soft drinks a year, which is incredibly rewarding.
How did you find out about this apprenticeship programme?
I discovered the apprenticeship through a social media advert, and it instantly caught my eye. I had been eager to pursue a career in engineering, but wasn’t confident that a traditional university route was the right path for me. The idea of learning on the job and getting hands-on experience in a dynamic industry like food and drink manufacturing was too good to pass up, so I went for it!
What are some of the key skills you’ve learned so far?
Working at CCEP’s largest plant means I’m given so many great opportunities to expand my engineering skills, develop my knowledge of the production lines and become more confident as I work my way through complex projects with a range of different teams.
When I look back on my two and a half years with CCEP so far, I’m particularly proud of the problem-solving skills I’ve gained, becoming more confident every day with being able to spot an issue, assess the best way to fix it, and make a real difference to how the site operates. Last year, for example, I identified a recurring issue with one of our lines where fallen cans were going unnoticed, causing jams and slowing down operations. I suggested adding a sensor to tackle the problem at the source and prevent future jams, which has now been implemented and is improving the efficiency of the line. It was my first major project and one of my proudest moments so far.
How has your mentor or trainer supported your growth?
I’ve been fortunate to work with experienced engineers who have taken the time to share their knowledge with me.
My line manager has been instrumental in guiding me along my apprenticeship journey. He’s consistently trusting me with more challenging tasks, giving me opportunities to plan and execute projects, and offers valuable guidance on solving complex problems. He’s helped me gain confidence and is a key reason I was able to lead on projects such as the can sensor installation as well as others that have improved line efficiency.
The trust and mentorship I’ve received have been invaluable, and they’re a big reason I’m excited to keep growing within the company.
What has been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship?
The most rewarding part of the apprenticeship has definitely been getting to see my ideas and leadership make a real impact on the site’s operations. It’s amazing to be able to say that a sensor I suggested and managed the installation of has improved production runs. Or that my idea to add a reset button to one of our conveyor systems has reduced unnecessary downtime caused by team members walking across the factory to reset systems when a line jams.
One of the things I’ve realised through the course of my apprenticeship is how valuable it is to understand what’s happening across the whole site – knowing the intricacies of how the lines operate, spotting where things can be improved, and making those changes happen.
Improvements, no matter how big or small they feel at the time, can drive major operational benefits and it’s been exciting to really get stuck in.
Where do you see yourself in five years within the food industry?
In five years, I hope to be in a leadership role, potentially as a team leader within the engineering department at CCEP. The food manufacturing industry is constantly evolving, and I’m eager to continue to be a part of that transformation.
Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I’ll be working line shifts with technicians to get even more hands-on experience. My goal is to become a line technician for a while so that I can build up my knowledge and experience on site before eventually stepping into a role where I can focus on bigger projects.
My time at the Wakefield site so far has allowed me to see first-hand how small adjustments can really make an impact. In the next few years to come, I’m eager to expand my skills further and learn more about how big decisions are made, how improvements are planned, and how different departments work together to keep everything running smoothly.
