Level 3 Apprentice Drainage Performance Technician (Wastewater)

United Utilities; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A major water services provider is offering a Level 3 Apprenticeship for Drainage Performance Technicians in Rochdale. Over 36 months, apprentices will gain hands-on experience, crucial technical skills, and structured training. Responsibilities include supporting wastewater network work and identifying performance trends to enhance drainage systems. The role guarantees a salary of £20,000, with further increments based on performance, and promises a permanent position upon completion.

Benefits

Generous salary

26 days of leave

£500 towards driving lessons

Residential trip to the Lake District

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or 9-4.
• Full UK driving licence required by apprenticeship start.

Responsibilities

• Learn about wastewater networks and their flow.
• Support planned work on the wastewater network.
• Identify repeat incidents and suggest interventions.
• Learn technical skills to monitor assets effectively.
• Develop IT and analytical skills for performance targets.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Practical skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and Science

Job description

Level 3 Apprentice Drainage Performance Technician (Wastewater)

Job number UU04621 Country United Kingdom Region Manchester Location name Rochdale Wastewater Treatment Works, Roch Valley Way, Rochdale, OL11 4QH 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 stronger North West ? Come and join us! With a range of award-winning roles on offer, you’re sure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities. We’ll provide 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!

AsaLevel 3 ApprenticeWastewater Drainage Performance Technician ,you’lllearn how to:

• Learn about WastewaterNetwork, flowfromcustomers’homesandnon-domestic propertiesthroughout ourWastewaterNetwork
• Supportplanned work on the Wastewater network, analyse data toidentifyfuture trends, taking corrective action to improve overall drainage performance
• Proactivelyidentifyrepeat incidents and suggest necessary interventions to stop re-occurrence
• Learn a wide range of wastewaternetworktechnical skills to effectivelymonitorand control assets across a County
• Develop well-developed IT, numerical,analyticaland problem-solving skills to deliver operational and financial performance targets.
• Gain excellent presentation and written and oral communication skills
• Develop excellent knowledge and practical experience of wastewater treatment processes including operational best operational
• Gain an understanding of future regulatory requirements within wastewater operations

A bit more about the role

Your apprenticeship will last 36 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Water Industry Network Technician (Wastewater) standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships.

Whatwe’relooking 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’llneed to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must includeMaths, English and a Science or Technology subject.
• You will need afull UKdriving licence by the time that your apprenticeship begins.

Whychooseus tokickstartyourcareer?

• 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 andbenefits – There are lotsofperks, 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 behavior 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 the core location of your apprenticeship
• As part of your induction, you will attend a residential trip in the 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 will be provided by 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 processmayrequireyou to complete:

• An Online application form
• Online tests
• Anin-personinterview (and presentation)or assessment centre
• A technical test

Important Notes 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 reportfrom theDisclosure 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.