M&E Apprentice in Doncaster

About the Trust

We’re one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We’re looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: Mechanical & Electrical Technician Apprentice

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive. Our apprenticeship programmes play a key role in protecting traditional canal skills, supporting local employment, and ensuring we continue the vital work of maintaining and restoring the waterways for future generations. This programme is designed to develop you into a well rounded, multiskilled Mechanical & Electrical professional who understands the operational, environmental, and heritage considerations of working along the UK’s waterways. This role follows an annualised hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (could be weekends and statutory holidays). You’ll be based at our Heckdepot (Heck Maintenance Yard, Heck Lane, Great Heck, Goole, DN14 0BL) and travel across the Yorkshire region, with occasional support in other areas.

Role Overview

You’ll work alongside the local M&E team to deliver maintenance, and repair works on a wide variety of mechanical and electrical assets. This includes reactive repairs, planned preventative maintenance, general works, and project support. You’ll gain hands‑on experience across key items of floating plant and equipment including but not limited to Engines, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, electric circuits, helping to keep the waterway network operational, safe, and resilient.

Key Responsibilities

• Follow the Trust’s Health & Safety policies and standards; report incidents, accidents, and near misses; and assist with point‑of‑work risk assessments to ensure safe working practices.
• Provide excellent customer service when working outside on site, maintaining a professional and helpful approach with our customers, colleagues, and partners.
• Support the planning and preparation of mechanical and electrical tasks, including organising tools, equipment, and materials.
• Assist the Workboat and Plant team to ensure all mechanical and electrical equipment, PPE, and resources are appropriate and available for each task.
• Support mechanical and electrical inspections, identifying and reporting defects or issues to Technicians or Supervisors for logging in SAP.
• Assist the Workboat and Plant team with key maintenance duties across the Trust’s fleet, machinery, and operational plant.
• Promote inclusion and diversity across the Trust, challenging behaviours or decisions that conflict with our values.
• Demonstrate the Trust’s values and behaviours at all times.

Training & Development

You will work towards the Level 3 Land-Based Service Engineering 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. This apprenticeship includes residential block-release training at a college in Cheshire, requiring you to stay away from home for approximately nine weeks each year. 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.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. 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.

Our values

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community. We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes. All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role.