Level 3 Apprentice Project Controller - Warrington, Cheshire

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’ll 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 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— that’s more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier.

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, our award‑winning apprentice programme will give you first‑class training and support, aligned 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.

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 toward 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.

As a Level 3 Apprentice Project Controller, you’ll learn how to:

• Develop a strong foundation in tracking project budgets, analysing variances, and maintaining financial accuracy—a key stepping stone in project management.
• Analyse data and create insightful reports, learning how these skills directly influence successful project delivery.
• Contribute to planning and scheduling activities, building your understanding of how to align resources, budgets, and timelines effectively.
• Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, enhancing your teamwork and communication skills while gaining insight into how different roles drive project success.
• Gain hands‑on experience with industry‑standard project management software, equipping you with practical skills for future roles.
• Build a pathway to leadership; by working closely with project managers, you’ll gain valuable exposure to the responsibilities of project leadership, preparing you for future progression in your career.

Your apprenticeship will last 36 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Project Controls Technician standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Your study will be day‑release (one day a week delivered online). You’ll be an integral part of our team, contributing to the delivery of multi‑billion‑pound projects that make a real‑world impact.

What we’re looking for: We’re looking for an enthusiastic and detail‑oriented individual who’s ready to step into the world of high‑value project management delivery. This is your chance to get hands‑on with some of the most ambitious projects out there, developing skills in planning and scheduling, budgeting and financial reporting, and risk management. If you’re curious, motivated, and eager to learn how to manage big projects supporting even bigger goals, we’d love to have you on board.

You’ll need to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A‑C or grades 9‑4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.

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 – You’ll receive structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high‑quality learning to help shape your career.
• Inspire the next generation – You’ll have the chance to represent United Utilities at key events across the region, engaging with young people to bring careers in the water industry to life.
• Reward and benefits – There are lots of perks, including a competitive starting salary of £20,000, which will increase each year based on performance.
• Be part of the UU family – You’ll have the chance to network, bond, and learn from your colleagues and fellow apprentices.

*As long as you meet all necessary standards and behaviour 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 base location of your apprenticeship.
• As part of your induction, you will attend a five‑day residential trip to 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. If you’re not local to your place of study, accommodation will either be provided or reimbursed by United Utilities during this period (excluding weekends).
• Please consider travel requirements and stay away from home if applicable.

Depending on the role you are applying for, our recruitment process may require you to complete:

• An online application form.
• Online tests.
• An in‑person interview (and presentation) or assessment centre.
• A technical test.

Important Notes: If you are offered a job with us, a number of pre‑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 report from the Disclosure 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. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the apprenticeship.