Join Our Team: Engineering Technician Apprentice
Start Date: October 2026
Apprenticeship Programme: Formal apprenticeship training will commence in February 2027, when the next learner cohort begins. Prior to this, you'll gain valuable experience through shadowing, on-the-job learning, and practical workplace development.
Typical Duration: 36 months
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
As part of our commitment to the long-term maintenance and restoration of the waterways, we are looking to recruit an Apprentice Engineering Technician. Working for the Canal & River Trust, you can take pride in knowing that you are really making a difference each and every day. By joining us, you’ll be caring for your environment as well as your community, helping make life better by water for everyone. Every day.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. You’ll be based at our Leighton Buzzard depot and travel across the East Midlands region, with occasional support in other areas.
Role Overview
As a Civil Engineering Apprentice, you'll combine practical workplace experience with formal training, developing the skills and knowledge needed to support the maintenance and improvement of the Trust's historic waterways.
Working alongside experienced engineers, you'll gain hands-on experience through site visits, inspections, project work and placements, while building expertise in civil engineering, asset management and infrastructure projects. No two days are the same, with opportunities to work across our network and contribute to projects that help keep our canals open and alive.
Key Responsibilities
- Complete all apprenticeship training and coursework, working towards successful achievement of the qualification.
- Develop knowledge and practical skills in civil engineering, asset management and waterway infrastructure.
- Support engineers with inspections, surveys and assessments of canals, locks, bridges and other assets.
- Assist with the collection and maintenance of engineering data to support maintenance and investment decisions.
- Gain experience in engineering design, project delivery and asset management through placements, site visits and project work.
- Follow health, safety and environmental procedures at all times, both on site and in the office.
- Build positive working relationships with colleagues, contractors and other stakeholders.
- Take ownership of personal development, seeking feedback and continuously developing technical knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate the Trust's values and behaviours, contributing positively to the team and wider organisation.
Training & Development
- You will work towards the Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician Apprenticeship with one of our expert training providers. Whilst on-the-job, you will work with supportive colleagues to get the best out of your apprenticeship experience.
- The Canal & River Trust is committed to supporting apprentices to become experts in their field, offering structured development pathways and long-term career prospects.
About You
- You don’t need any prior experience - we’ll teach you everything you need. What matters is you have a genuine interest in practical, hands-on work. You love to understand how things work and have a passion for all things mechanical and electrical.
- You enjoy solving problems and feel comfortable working outside in all weathers.
- Ideally, you have grade A-C or grade 9-4 in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) already achieved or on track.
Apprentice story: Eunilzo was always fascinated by a career in engineering and has a passion for nature and the outdoors which led him to the Mechanical & Engineering Apprenticeship at the Trust. He’s soon coming to the end of his apprenticeship and is moving into a M&E Technician role. See more here: Eunilzo's Story
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at
[email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer a starting annual salary of £22,095. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.
#INDLP
