25-0113 Apprentice Field Service Engineer

Summary

The successful candidate will become a skilled Engineer with the potential to become a commissioning engineer in the Field working on numerous customer sites throughout the UK&I. The role will cover the whole of the UK, with the candidate's main base being in Sheffield and its surroundings.

Wage

£22,000 a year

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Training course

Control systems engineer (degree) (level 6)

Hours

Monday to Friday. Your start and finish times including your shift pattern will be determined by the employing company.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

4 years 4 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Responsibilities:

Shadow established engineers through one-to-one mentoring and coaching activities on our range of products High Speed Separators (HSS), Heat Exchangers (HEX) and Decanters (DEC)
Maintain, repair, install/commissioning at our customer sites across a variety of industries including Marine, Energy and Food and Water (including waste water)
To show qualities around the Alfa Laval values: Teamplay, Exploration, Dedication and Respect
Support improved ‘customer satisfaction’ through improved action and interaction
Be ready to pass on knowledge to others, including the next cohort of future apprentices
Update the systems to reflect work completed and being mindful of potential sales leads

Health & Safety:

H&S is the number one priority for our employees, therefore, ensuring compliance with all personal obligations under Health & Safety legislation and adherence to Company H&S policies and procedures is essential
Abide by site H&S policies and procedures, with special consideration for safe systems of work and practices
Conduct equipment checks, safety audits, risk assessments (RAMS) and safety tours
Review, report and investigate any incident including near misses or any unsafe situation immediately to H&S advisor & via our safety app, and take corrective action to prevent reoccurrence
To promote an environment of continuous improvement

Where you’ll work

AMRC Training Centre
Off Highfield Spring
Rotherham
S60 5BL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

Your training course

Control systems engineer (degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Translate conceptual designs or technical specifications into operational process control systems.
Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) and fishbone diagrams.
Select the best method for collating and conveying complex information using a range of data sources and supporting documentation.
Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic diagrams, project plans, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data and or developmental or test evidence.
Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as safety, quality, cost and performance criteria. Apply techniques and processes for project or programme management including escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements including supporting safety risk assessments and mitigating any risks identified within the control systems environment.
Identify resources required to complete control system projects, project tasks or programmes of work, with consideration to factors such as cost, quality, safety, security, environmental impact as applicable to the activity.
Create a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
Demonstrate leadership when undertaking control system engineering activities such as system design, integration, operational simulation, installation, testing, pre commissioning, commissioning and maintenance of control systems.
Ensure that all instrumentation has been correctly configured and calibrated before use.
Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities such as improving safety, quality, technology solutions, operational processes, training and development, equipment performance or cost key performance indicators (KPIs).
Perform checks on control systems documentation to ensure it meets organisational compliance and traceability requirements. Report any non-conformances using the appropriate processes and procedures.
Interpret key performance indicators and utilise improvement techniques or processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness such as lean or six sigma.
Translate conceptual designs or technical specifications into operational process control systems.
Select, use and apply approved problem-solving methods to solve complex problems and determine appropriate solutions such as Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) and fishbone diagrams.
Select the best method for collating and conveying complex information using a range of data sources and supporting documentation.
Interpret and produce technical documentation such as schematic diagrams, project plans, fault reports or data analytics using company documentation systems and guidelines.
Observe, record and draw accurate and auditable conclusions from data and or developmental or test evidence.
Manage assigned projects or programmes of work, taking into account factors such as safety, quality, cost and performance criteria. Apply techniques and processes for project or programme management including escalation, audit or risk management and risk mitigation.
Comply with statutory and organisational safety standards and requirements including supporting safety risk assessments and mitigating any risks identified within the control systems environment.
Identify resources required to complete control system projects, project tasks or programmes of work, with consideration to factors such as cost, quality, safety, security, environmental impact as applicable to the activity.
Create a project or work programme plan and develop activities in a logical process embedding mechanisms for adapting to changing circumstances or requirements.
Demonstrate leadership when undertaking control system engineering activities such as system design, integration, operational simulation, installation, testing, pre commissioning, commissioning and maintenance of control systems.
Ensure that all instrumentation has been correctly configured and calibrated before use.
Identify areas for improvement and lead continuous improvement activities such as improving safety, quality, technology solutions, operational processes, training and development, equipment performance or cost key performance indicators (KPIs).
Perform checks on control systems documentation to ensure it meets organisational compliance and traceability requirements. Report any non-conformances using the appropriate processes and procedures.
Interpret key performance indicators and utilise improvement techniques or processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness such as lean or six sigma.

Your training plan

You will study on a Level 6 Control Systems Engineer degree apprenticeship on a Maintenance Engineering pathway
On completion of this, you will gain a qualification in Engineering at Degree Level 6 Standard
During the first year you will be required to attend the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre in Sheffield, full time, for an initial block of study until June 2026
You will do a combination of returning to your workplace or shadowing a field engineer one Friday per month
After the initial block training you will undertake the knowledge study one day a week. This will require attending the AMRC Training Centre in person one in every four sessions, the others being remote (excluding exams and assessment days)
Upon completion of the block training you will be out with the Field Service Engineers, as well as attending the Alfa Laval service centre currently based in Camberley, Surrey for training
In the third year you will be field-based on a full time basis whilst completing your workplace competency qualification

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Language (grade 4)
Mathematics (grade 4)

A Level in:

Engineering / Maths / Science (grade B / Merit)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills

Other requirements

You will need ONE of the following: A minimum of two A-Levels at grade B or above, including a mathematical-based subject and a science, technology, engineering or an additional mathematics-related subject / An Engineering BTEC Level 3 with at least 120 credits at DM (Distinction Merit) level or above / EAL Diploma in an engineering-based subject at distinction level / Equivalent qualifications such as Technical Levels (T-Levels) at DM or above

About this company

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of first-rate products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. With these as its base, Alfa Laval aims to help enhance the productivity and competitiveness of its customers in various industries throughout the world. We define their challenges and deliver sustainable products and solutions that meet their requirements – mainly in energy, the environment, food and the marine industry. To remain successful, we need to grow and at the same time respect the planetary boundaries. For us, at Alfa Laval, the environmental concern and sustainability is a natural part of our way of thinking and acting, at the same time as it represents a business opportunity. We make it possible to reduce the environmental impact of most industrial processes, both on land and at sea. We are deeply involved in the development of better, safer, and more sustainable food. We improve energy efficiency, and we enable the circular reuse of water.

After this apprenticeship

Completion of the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre apprenticeships are nationally recognised qualifications which are acknowledged and respected by employers across the world
These can open the door to many more opportunities, such as Engineering Management and Project Engineering positions across a range of sectors worldwide

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

AMRC Training Centre Recruitment Team

recruitment@amrctraining.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317486.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 31 July 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Please follow the link to apply on the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Training Centre website and complete an application form. Once this has been received, it will be reviewed, and you will receive an email response with the next steps of the application process. AMRC Training Centre reserves the right to close company vacancies, should they get filled, ahead of the published closing date. If you have already applied to the AMRC, please send an email stating your interest in this vacancy.

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