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Food & drink

Cellar technician

Cellar technicians install and maintain drinks systems in places like pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

42 to 44 a week

You could work: between 8am and 6pm; on a rota

4.1%
Future employment

There will be 4.1% fewer Cellar technician jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • order parts
  • fit drinks systems into a customer's premises
  • check temperature and pressure of drink products
  • find and fix faults
  • train bar staff on how to use new equipment
  • promote new products to customers
  • set up temporary bars for special events, like festivals
  • keep records of completed work

Working environment

You could work in a pub or bar or visit sites.

Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies
College

You could do a college course then try to find a trainee job with a drinks company. Courses inlcude:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Engineering
  • Level 2 Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems
  • Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
For more information
Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a drinks dispense technician advanced apprenticeship.

This usually takes about 18 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Work

It may be possible to get into this job by working behind a bar and in a bar cellar.

Once you're working, your employer may give you the chance to take a cellar management course.

Direct application

You can apply directly to employers and do training while you work.

It could be an advantage if you've got experience in mechanical engineering, refrigeration, plumbing or electrical work.

Other routes

You could take the Level 2 National Certificate for Drinks Dispense course, offered by The Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry Suppliers Association.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • have a good level of fitness
  • have a full driving licence

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Institute of Innkeeping for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

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You could become a supervisor, manager, or move into equipment services and sales.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to work on your own
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • observation and recording skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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