Trainee Brewer Program

The Brew School Trainee Brewer Program is NEW for 2021 and can be completed in just 14 days of intensive brewing training.  Spaces are significantly limited because of the practical nature of some of the brewing training but are available now.  Spread the costs of your brewing training with our payment partner PAYL8ER

The Government backed Brewing Apprenticeship scheme is a Level 4 qualification that will allow you to train and work in a brewery whilst obtaining the technical and brewing knowledge to get a brewing job and become a skilled beer brewer.  Unfortunately, the Government baced brewing apprenticeships take between 12-18 months to complete and you still will not have an internationally recognised brewing qualification. 

Can I be a brewer without a brewing apprenticeship?

Brewing apprenticeships are quite rare still so finding a brewery that is prepared to take you on is a challenge but not impossible.  It is possible to do extensive brewing training to equip you to work in a brewery and obtain a brewing qualification without taking a brewing apprenticeship.

How long will a brewing apprenticeship last?

The brewing apprenticeship lasts between 12-18 month and during this time you will be paid whilst you work in the brewery.

Looking for a Brewing Apprenticeship?

Go to our FREE Brewing Jobsboard today to search and apply for the latest positions and to register for FREE alerts.

Should I do a brewing apprenticeship?

There are a number of attractions of taking a brewing apprenticeship, namely you will get paid as you train in the brewery as well as receiving on the job training as a brewer.  There are a number of apprenticeships so you should be clear of what level training you require. 

What are the levels of brewing apprenticeship?

A level 4 brewing apprenticeship would give you a foundation degree level based qualification

There are lower level apprenticeships such as a level 2 training.  The advantage of these qualification are they are shorter 12 month as a posed to a minimum of 18 months for the level 4.  

What are the downsides of a brewing apprenticeship?

The problem to a degree with brewing apprenticeships is that there is no one standard and that can be confusing for employers.  Also, a brewing apprenticeship can last for over 18 months which means you are locked in working for one brewery for that time in order to complete your apprenticeship.  The other downside is that brewing apprenticeship as a standard has no real international recognition.  This means that whilst the brewing skills maybe transferrable; the qualification is not necessarily recognised abroad.  However, it may be helpful in securing a brewing job in the UK and abroad.

What brewing skills are required?

Brewing is a practical based profession.  To be a brewer particularly in a small microbrewery when there are only going to be a small number of staff (probably less than 10) means that when you start you will probably get involved in a lot of the hands on cleaning and menial tasks plus anything else that needs doing.  To be employable in the microbrewery means having an element of practical skills and being prepared to roll your sleeves up and getting involved in the the day to day jobs in the brewery.  This is the case even if you highly qualified academically with a science or even a brewing degree.

Alternatives to a brewing apprencticeship

The institute of Brewing and Distilling has an internationally recognised brewing qualification called the General Certificate in Brewing.  This brewing qualification will allow you to obtain employment abroad and is the equivalent of a brewing A-Level.  Some employers will sponsor and pay for their brewers to study for and sit the exam.  The advantages of the General Certificate is that it doesn’t require you to complete a long period of on the job brewing training (although practical experience working in a brewery is helpful for studying for the course and taking the brewing exams).  The studying for this brewing qualification can be taking in a week and then the exams for the IBD GCB taken at one sitting which lasts 3 hours.

How to apply for a brewing apprenticeship?

To register your interest on the forthcoming brewing apprenticeship please fill out the details below.

To see a full apprenticeship standard for a brewer follow the link.

To register interest either as an employer or as an apprentice please fill in the shorlist course booking form below and we will contact you with further details of our NEW brewing apprenticeship scheme.

Brewing jobs board 2020 NEW

Brew-School has launched it's own brewing jobs board. If you are looking for FREE advice on how to get a brewing job then take a look. Are you are brewer looking for new employment or do you own or work for a brewery or microbrewery looking at recruiting a brewing trainee or fully qualified brewer:

SIGN UP today to Kick Start your Brewing Career or Brewery