Apprentice Operational Technician - Waste

Severn Trent Plc; Stone; On-site; GBP 18,000 - GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility company in the UK is offering an Apprenticeship Program for an Operational Technician focusing on wastewater management in Stone, Staffordshire. The program emphasizes practical experience in various operational teams, equipping you with skills to support environmentally efficient processes. You'll enjoy a blend of work and learning while receiving diverse training, 25 days holiday, annual bonuses, and structured growth opportunities to build your career. Apply by mid-March for a September 2026 start.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme up to £1,500

Double pension contributions

Discounted shares

Dedicated training and development

Family-friendly policies

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Passion for providing vital services to customers.
• Curiosity to learn quickly in a reactive environment.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Gain practical experience in wastewater sampling.
• Support safe treatment processes and reporting faults.
• Interact with multiple teams within operations.

Skills

Can do attitude

Excellent communication skills

Ability to adapt

Problem solving abilities

Fast-paced work adaptability

Education

Level 2 qualification in Water Process Operative

Job description

Overview

LET’S TELL YOU MORE

Apprenticeship Programmes are a great way to earn and learn. Our Apprentice Operational Technician – Waste Programme offers the perfect blend of personal and professional development, exposing you to the core of our business.

You’ll be supported every step of the way. Your role will be to gain practical experience in a few teams developing your knowledge and understanding of Severn Trent and the processes. All of this will allow you to further develop your skills so you can communicate data effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders. Furthermore, you\'ll spend time with the different teams within Operations.

We welcome all apprentices from diverse backgrounds, as we know diverse minds bring new ideas and a different way of thinking. We are looking for someone who wants to build their career with us and grasp new opportunities, and in return we will support you with varied experiences, training and development to provide a grounding for your future career.

Programme Structure

HOW WILL THE PROGRAMME WORK?

You will be based in Stone, Staffordshire, the heart of our patch. Working alongside our waste operational teams, you’ll gain practical experience in wastewater sampling, reporting faults, and supporting safe, efficient treatment processes. You will interact with colleagues including managers, waste process technicians, engineers, maintenance engineers, delivery drivers, contractors, other treatment operatives and customers (internal/external).

In this apprenticeship, you will be studying towards a Level 2 qualification in Water Process Operative. You can read more information about this qualification (known as a standard) by following this link.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How to carry out routine daily operational tasks on treatment works including treatment processes, security, safety, and housekeeping
• How to treat wastewater to protect the environment and escalate concerns to senior staff when this doesn’t happen
• How to carry out first line maintenance and wastewater sampling
• How to work safely and report hazards and/or take appropriate action to resolve
• How to safely operate plant, assets, tools, and equipment to provide a reliable environment for wastewater treatment

What We Are Looking For

We want our employees to care and to have a genuine passion for what we do as a business. We need people who want to make a difference in providing a vital service to our customers, now and for the long-term. If you have the passion to succeed you’ll be a great match for our programme. We’d love you to be someone with:

• A ‘can do’ attitude – willing to get stuck in, take accountability for decisions and actions and who takes pride in their work
• A love of variety in a role and ability to adapt to a dynamic, fast-paced working environment
• Ability to quickly prioritise tasks and the initiative to dive head-first into problem solving
• No two days are the same on the front line and not every day goes to plan, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet to respond
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills and enjoy working with multiple teams
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and effectively communicate this to different team members and audiences
• Ability to travel across our patch to visit different sites and travel to meetings and training days
• Curiosity to learn quickly in a reactive and dynamic working environment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions to serve our customers and protect the environment

About the Programme & Location

Location: Pirehill, Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0SH

Entry Criteria: This apprenticeship standard is Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE A-C or Grades 4-9). If you don\'t already have GCSEs in English and maths, you will need to take functional skills as part of the apprenticeship, which is an alternative to GCSEs and achieve a Level 1 while continuing to work to a Level 2. This will need to be achieved prior to completion of your apprenticeship.

Driving Requirements: If you are successful, you will require a full UK licence and access to your own vehicle upon completion of your apprenticeship.

Please note, some of our sites are in remote locations and not serviced by public transport. It is your responsibility to ensure you can arrive safely at work for your start time each day, so please consider this before applying.

You will be working 37 hours per week Monday to Friday, across a 7am – 3.30pm / 7am – 3pm / 8am – 4pm working pattern.

Rewards & Care

HOW WE’LL REWARD AND CARE FOR YOU IN RETURN

It isn\'t just a job you’ll get here; you’ll get a career too. We have a range of benefits that reward and recognise great work and award-winning training to ensure you reach your potential. We’ll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the community in which we live.

Here are some of our benefits:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with the ability to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (up to £1,500, subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Retail Offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year

As you progress, you\'ll receive an annual salary increase while on programme and an increase when you move into your first role.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture that represents the communities and customers we serve. Learn more about our commitments to Diversity and Inclusion at Severn Trent.

Apply Timeframe

Roles close on 16th March at Midday (12pm); face-to-face assessments will run from through April and May 2026; estimated start date – September 2026.

For more about working with us, search #LifeatSevernTrent on social media.

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement. We do not sponsor under the Skilled Worker route; the successful candidate must demonstrate the right to work without Severn Trent sponsorship.