Level 3 Apprentice Field Service Engineer - Instrumentation

United Utilities; Workington; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK utility provider is looking for an Apprentice Field Service Engineer in Workington. The 48-month apprenticeship offers hands-on experience in wastewater instrumentation, a salary starting at £20,000, and various benefits, including contribution towards driving lessons. Successful candidates will receive structured training, mentorship, and guaranteed permanent positions upon completion, all while engaging in meaningful community services. Ideal candidates will have 5 GCSEs including Maths and English and a passion for the water industry.

Benefits

26 days of leave

£500 contribution towards learning to drive

Permanent position guaranteed after apprenticeship

Qualifications

• Willingness to learn and gain an understanding of the water industry.
• Ability to manage work/college balance.
• Need to pass a colour vision assessment.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, and maintain process instrumentation.
• Work as part of a team to ensure plant efficiency.
• Identify faults and carry out routine maintenance.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Teamwork

Time management

Education

5 GCSEs (A-C) including Maths, English, Science/Technology

Job description

Job number UU04623 Country United Kingdom Region Cumbria Location name Workington Wastewater Treatment Works, Maryport Road, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 1NW Posting End Date 24/02/2026 Band APSX Role Type Apprenticeship Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary £20,000

Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and strongerNorth West? Come and join us! With a range of award-winning roles on offer,you’resure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities.We’llprovide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Who are United Utilities?

United Utilitiesis responsible forwater and wastewater services in theNorth Westof England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in theNorth Westin 100 years - that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make theNorth Weststronger, greener, and healthier.

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, ouraward winning apprenticeprogramme will give you first-class training and support, together with an in-depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve.

Working in theNorthWestmeansthere'sa lot of ground to cover. You could have the opportunity to work in the heart of the Lake District, or you could sample a taste of city life. As well as ourmain officein Warrington we also recruit for a varietyofroles based across theNorth West; we have 575 wastewater treatmentworksand 96 water treatment works in areas from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria.

Whichever schemeyou join,you’llbe at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry. Ready to flow into your future with us?

Life as a United Utilities Apprentice

Our apprentices are well looked after, with a generous salary, 26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits.

You’llhave a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is thatyou’rewilling to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively.

Start living your future, today!

As aLevel 3 ApprenticeField Service Engineer - Instrumentation (Wastewater) ,you’lllearn how to:

• install,repairandmaintainour process instrumentation,controland automation systems, ensuring our wastewater assets are available and are working correctly, helping to keep services running smoothly for our customers
• work as part of a dedicated team focussed on ensuring our plants continue tooperateat maximum efficiency
• work with a wide range of equipment, be able toidentifyany faults and carry out routine maintenance, following the company’s rigorous health and safety standards
• schedule maintenance activity and how to organise your workload effectively

A bit more about the role

Your apprenticeship will last48months, and successful apprentices will achievea Level 3Water industry asset maintenance technician (instrumentation)standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

During your first year,you’llspend3 days per week overa8 monthduration during term timeattheBolton Technical Training Centre.If youdo not live near, accommodation will bereimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.

Onceyou’vecompleted your apprenticeshipyou’llbe asked to join part of a formal standby rota, which may require you to do some out ofhourswork.Don’tworry your training will prepare you for this, but we doadvisethat you apply for a vacancythat’srelatively easyfor you to get to, as we would need you to travel to the site easily.

You will need to be mobile in thisrole,we’llcontribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests to help to get you on the road!

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for someone keen to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and achieve the standards needed to succeed in this role.

You'lllive and breathe the water industry soit'simportantyou'rewilling to learn and gain an understanding of how we provide clean water and take away wastewater for our customers.

This can be a bit of a messy job dealing with the things our customers flush down theloosoyou'llneed to be prepared to get your hands dirty.

You’llbe expected to:

• Manage a work/college balance.
• Work and communicate within multiple teams/work areas.
• Takeownershipfor own learning and workload.

You’llneed to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.

This role will also require you to pass a colour vision assessment.

Why choose us to kickstart your career?

• Secureyourfuture – Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme*
• Aspringboard toyourcareer –You’llreceive structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high-quality learning to help shape your career
• Inspire thenextgeneration –You’llhave the chance torepresentUnited Utilities at key events across the region, engaging with young people to bring careers in the water industry to life
• Reward and benefits – There are lots ofperks, including a starting salary of £20,000, which will increase each year based on performance
• Bepart of the UUfamily –You’llhave the chance to network, bond, and learn from your colleagues and fellow apprentices

*As long asyou meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme.

We need fantastic people to help us deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community, supporting our employees to achieve their full potential, and ensuring everyone feels valued and included, regardless of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

Additional Information

Please check and ensure that you are comfortable with the following points before you apply:

• It is essential that you live within a reasonable commuting distance of thebaselocation of your apprenticeship
• As part of your induction, you will attend afive-dayresidential triptothe Lake District.This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a beautiful setting with your fellow apprentices.Accommodation and boarding will be provided
• During your apprenticeship, you may need to travel to your place of study. Ifyou’renot local to your place of study, accommodation willeitherbe providedor reimbursedby United Utilities during this period (excluding weekends). Please consider travel requirements and staying away from home if applicable

Depending on the role that you are applying for, our recruitment process may require you to complete:

• An Online application form
• Online tests
• An in-person interview (and presentation)or assessment centre
• A technical test

If you are offered a job with us,a number ofpre-employment checks will need to be carried out before your appointment can be confirmed. Any offer of employment with United Utilities will be subject to a satisfactory report from the Disclosure Scotland/ the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please only apply for one apprenticeship role.Part of the assessment process will be to detail why you have applied for your selected apprenticeship vacancy.

Please note that we are unable to offer Visa sponsorship for this role.

Youmust have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three yearsbefore starting the apprenticeship.