CELLAR TECHNICIAN JOBS

Cellar technicians install and maintain drinks dispensing systems in licensed premises (such as pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants) and other venues where drinks are served.

As a cellar technician, you would fit a variety of dispense systems, including:

taps, piping and pumps
refrigeration equipment
gas generating equipment
pressure meters
valves and electrical wiring (to allow beers and carbonated soft drinks to be stored)

Your duties would include:

visiting customers (before you install the dispense system) to check they have access to mains water, electricity supply and drainage
calculating which components will be needed to complete the installation
ordering all the necessary parts, which will allow you to complete the job
making alterations, using joinery skills, in order to fit the system into the customer’s premises
fixing any problems that arise with the equipment
training bar staff on the correct use of new equipment
promoting new products to customers
setting-up temporary bars for special events

Throughout your work, you would follow strict health and safety guidelines.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You may not need any qualifications to start work as a trainee cellar technician, however, some employers may prefer you to have one of the following:

GCSEs (A-E) in English, maths, science or technology
BTEC First or National Certificate in Engineering, or Construction
City & Guilds in Engineering

You would have an advantage if you had experience, for example in engineering, electrical work, or the brewing industry. Experience behind a bar and in a bar cellar would also be useful as this could give you the chance to complete a cellar management course, such as the one offered by the Cask Marque Trust.

What further training and development can I do?

You will usually receive some on-the-job training and you may also be encouraged to take a course in hazard awareness (such as the one awarded by the RSPH), and moving and handling (awarded by the EDI and NCFE exam boards).

You could also take qualifications offered by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), such as the Award in Beer and Cellar Quality, and Level 2 National Certificate in Cellar Service, Installation and Maintenance.