Stronger Starts Maintenance Apprenticeship - England

Join to apply for the Stronger Starts Maintenance Apprenticeship - England role at Tesco. Our Stronger Starts Maintenance Apprenticeship, delivered by GLP Training, will equip you with the skills and knowledge to conduct general day‑to‑day maintenance duties. The apprenticeship is delivered through a combination of online classes completed in‑store and quarterly 3‑day block‑release practical sessions delivered by our training providers in Worcester. We’ll support you with any travel expenses and accommodation expenses if eligible.

Throughout your time on the programme, you’ll learn carpentry, joinery, plumbing, plastering, brick and block work – putting these into practice under the supervision of your dedicated colleague coach. As an apprentice, you’ll be supported every step of the way by a dedicated team, including your Maintenance Manager, GLP Training tutor, and a colleague coach. You’ll also receive expert 1‑1 pastoral support from The King’s Trust through their Power Up programme if you’re aged 18–30. We understand that balancing work and learning can be challenging, which is why we’ve built a strong support network around you. From regular check‑ins to guidance, there’s always someone available to help. Plus, to help you settle in, we’ll provide £4 per day towards your lunch costs during your first four weeks with us.

We recruit on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. Positions may close as soon as we’ve received enough suitable applications, which means some roles may fill earlier than others. If you have any questions about the recruitment process or require additional support, please contact the recruitment team at TescoEarlyCareers@groupgti.com or on 0207 654 7212.

The apprenticeship is delivered in store and takes 18 months to complete. You’ll take part in a variety of activities, including completing learning modules on a company‑provided laptop and applying your knowledge by supporting maintenance tasks throughout the store. Apprentices work full‑time and receive half a day a week, or two full days a month, to focus on their studies. You’ll complete a range of theoretical learning through virtual sessions, and attend block‑release practical sessions at our training provider’s head office in Worcester for three days every 12 weeks.

As part of the apprenticeship, you may also need to achieve qualifications in maths and English called Functional Skills, equivalent to holding GCSEs in those subjects. If you’ve previously achieved these at Grade C/Grade 4 or above, you won’t need to complete them as part of the programme. Once you’ve completed the programme, you’ll be awarded your Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship, which is equivalent to five GCSE passes.

The real success in this role will come from getting stuck in, working as part of a team, and helping to keep our stores and distribution centres running smoothly and safely for customers and colleagues. We’re particularly keen to hear from school leavers aged 18‑21 years, and applicants who were eligible for free school meals and/or attended a state‑funded school.

You will need full right to work in the United Kingdom (either through citizenship or a visa) throughout the duration of the apprenticeship. If you are an overseas national, your visa is not subject to any employment restrictions, and you are not on a student visa. You have been a resident of the UK or a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) for at least 3 consecutive years by August 2026, unless you meet one of the exemptions laid out in Annex A. You are not planning to return to funded education or training for more than 16 hours per week in the 16 months after you leave school. You have not already completed an NVQ/diploma qualification or above in Construction and the Built Environment. You will be 18 or above when you start the apprenticeship on 3 August 2026. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from anyone aged 17 and over.

*These eligibility criteria are set by the Department of Education and are subject to change. In order to be eligible for the role and apprenticeship, we are only able to take forward applications from external candidates who have not been employed by Tesco. If you are an internal colleague, please visit Colleague Help to find out more about our internal apprenticeship opportunities.

What’s in it for you? Minimum starting salary £25,900.00 (pro rata £23,060.96). 21 hours per week initially, rising to 40 hours per week after the first 12 weeks. Hourly pay rate of £12.45 remains the same throughout. 25 days holiday allowance (pro rata). Access to a free and confidential online GP service, our Employee Assistance Programme, and a range of wellbeing services. Employee discounts: Clubcard 10% (increasing to 15%), bike‑to‑work scheme, commutator scheme, buy holiday scheme. Life assurance, pension scheme, Save As You Earn scheme, paid family leave, long‑service awards.

About Us At Tesco, Property Maintenance is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of our real estate portfolio, which includes over 3,500 stores, distribution centres and offices across the UK. The team of skilled technicians and managers handle a wide range of tasks, from fixing technical issues to managing large‑scale repairs. Their goal is to maintain a safe and efficient shopping experience for customers, whilst creating a positive workplace culture for colleagues. This means making sure that everyone feels welcome and valued. Tesco’s culture is centred around a friendly, supportive and inclusive work environment, offering real opportunities for career growth and development.