Level 3 Apprentice Network Asset Engineer – Electrical (Wastewater) in Blackburn

Overview

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! United Utilities offers award-winning roles with industry-leading skills and experience to help you succeed in your chosen field.

Who are United Utilities? United Utilities is accountable for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years — more than £13 billion worth of projects. Our apprenticeship programme provides first-class training and support aligned with your chosen business area, helping you develop the skills to progress your career while contributing to the communities we serve. We recruit for a variety of roles across the North West, with our main office in Warrington and opportunities at 575 wastewater treatment works and 96 water treatment works from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria. Whatever scheme you join, you’ll be at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry.

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’ll have a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is that you’re willing to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively. Start living your future, today!

Role: Level 3 Apprentice Network Asset Engineer – Electrical (Wastewater) — you’ll learn what goes into refurbishing and replacing equipment across wastewater treatment works and pumping stations and how to:

• Install, repair and maintain electrical equipment and refurbish/replace Wastewater Network assets to keep services running smoothly for customers
• Work as part of a dedicated team focused on ensuring plants operate at maximum efficiency
• Identify electrical faults and carry out maintenance and repairs in line with the company’s health and safety standards
• Schedule maintenance activity and organise your workload effectively

A Bit More About The Role

Your apprenticeship will last 48 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Water Industry Asset Maintenance Technician (Electrical) standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships. In Year 1, you’ll spend 3 days per week over 8 months at the Bolton Technical Training Centre. If you do not live nearby, accommodation will be reimbursed or provided during this period, excluding weekends. Upon completion, you’ll join a formal standby rota which may require some out-of-hours work. Training will prepare you for this, and you should apply for a vacancy that is easy to reach if possible. You will need to be mobile in this role; we’ll contribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone keen to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and meet the standards needed to succeed in this role. You’ll be expected to:

• Manage a work/college balance
• Work and communicate within multiple teams/work areas
• Take responsibility for own learning and workload

You’ll need to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent (grades A-C or 9-4) including 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?

• Secure your future – Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme*
• A springboard to your career – Structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high-quality learning
• Inspire the next generation – Represent United Utilities at key events across the region
• Reward and benefits – Competitive starting salary of £20,000, increasing with performance
• Be part of the UU family – Network, learn from colleagues and fellow apprentices

Please note: You must meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme. We are committed to recruiting from every community and ensuring everyone feels valued and included.

Additional Information

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

• Live within a reasonable commuting distance of the base location of your apprenticeship
• Attend a five-day residential induction trip to the Lake District; accommodation and board provided
• During your apprenticeship you may need to travel to your place of study; if not local, accommodation will be provided or reimbursed

Depending on the role, our recruitment process may require: Online application, online tests, in-person interview or assessment centre, and a technical test.

Important Notes

If you are offered a job, pre-employment checks will be carried out. Any offer will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure check. Please only apply for one apprenticeship role. You will be asked to explain why you have applied for your selected vacancy. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the apprenticeship.