Apprentice Land Based Service Engineer

Summary

To undertake the key operations at a farm-based biogas plant, feeding the plant and taking daily records and checks. Conducting periodic maintenance tasks on the machinery at the plant. Collecting manure feedstocks from neighbouring farms. Drying the digestate fibre and loading this product out to farm or to horticultural customers.

Wage

£18,720 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£12.00 -£12.50 per hour depending on age and experience

Training course

Land-based service engineering technician (level 3)

Hours

At least 30 hours per week Minimum of 2 weekends per month to be worked. Exact working days and hours TBC

30 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

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

Learn about the mechanics of an important renewable energy technology that has the potential for further growth
To load the plant with the required feedstocks of the ration using a large loading shovel
To check the operating process, recording output and other data points and, as and where necessary, adjusting the input feed, controls of the plant, its mixing system and CHP engine to maintain performance and optimize the plant’s output
Support drier operations at the plant by loading and unloading digestate fibre or other products via the drier and periodic out-loading to bulk lorries and other packaging units for the end users
Repair technologically advanced machinery and equipment which typically may include; power units, power trains, plant, machinery, equipment and their components. Undertake proactive maintenance processes and reactive maintenance tasks
Carry out a risk assessment, identify risks and implement a plan to reduce hazards
Out-loading of grain lorries on the linked arable farm and other field operations during harvest and cultivation periods as required

Where you'll work

Merrivale Energy
Works Lane
Barnstone
NG13 9JN

Training

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

College or training organisation

THE SMB GROUP

Your training course

Land-based service engineering technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Interpret technical data, documentation, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams and technical specifications.
Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures such as Health and Safety at Work Act, lone working, working at height and risk assessments adopting mitigation measures to safeguard, bystanders, the public, property and livestock.
Use digital equipment to interrogate land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance and extract data and communicate to stakeholders.
Obtain information from colleagues and stakeholders employing a range of techniques.
Establish the information required to perform an efficient and effective diagnosis.
Communicate technical matters to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Perform repairs of technologically advanced land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and industry standards.
Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions or guidance.
Identify components that require either repair or replacement, including providing alternative solutions for repair or replacement as appropriate.
Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
Establish and replicate the circumstances and conditions that give rise to reported faults.
Determine whether reported symptoms are a characteristic or a fault.
Diagnose faults and reported underperformance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers using approved diagnostic procedures and equipment and logical problem-solving techniques.
Maintain, interrogate, calibrate and repair electronic equipment and systems, including precision technology, electronic management systems, telemetry, autonomous and automated operations used in the land-based sector.
Differentiate between the root cause and symptom of land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover failures.
Identify crop, soil, climatic and environmental factors that impact on the performance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers.
Identify the equipment settings appropriate to the working conditions giving due consideration to crop, soil types, conditions and environments, weather and climatic conditions.
Perform verification tests to check performance against manufacturer specification land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance.
Identify stakeholder requirements and provide tailored advice that informs their selection and operation of appropriate machinery, equipment and prime movers to meet the land based environment in which it will be operated.
Applies supervision and mentoring techniques to support junior colleagues' development.
Plan and prepare maintenance or repair work schedules for showing task allocation, sequencing, workflow and time management.
Compile technical reports and statements.
Provide technical input to facilitate the compilation of repair schedules, action plans, quotations and estimates.
Identify the parts and services required to enable the reinstatement of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers for the purposes of estimates and quotations.
Perform installation and handover of machinery, equipment and prime movers, explaining their safe operation, the settings required for the environmental conditions and application, the maintenance and warranty requirements.
Establish level of customer understanding of how to operate the machinery or equipment following installation and handover.
Use predictive and preventative maintenance effectively to minimise land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover downtime.
Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply suitable and sustainable control measures.
Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy.
Keep up to date with advances in environment land-based working practices and the land-based engineering technologies and share best practice.
How contextual factors (including operational techniques, application, crop, soil types and conditions, environments, weather and climatic conditions) impact on machine performance and faults.
Repair complex electrical and electronic systems in accordance with job requirements.
Interpret technical data, documentation, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams and technical specifications.
Work in accordance with Safe Systems of Work and apply control measures such as Health and Safety at Work Act, lone working, working at height and risk assessments adopting mitigation measures to safeguard, bystanders, the public, property and livestock.
Use digital equipment to interrogate land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance and extract data and communicate to stakeholders.
Obtain information from colleagues and stakeholders employing a range of techniques.
Establish the information required to perform an efficient and effective diagnosis.
Communicate technical matters to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Perform repairs of technologically advanced land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and industry standards.
Measure and assess wear tolerances and deformation in line with manufacturer instructions or guidance.
Identify components that require either repair or replacement, including providing alternative solutions for repair or replacement as appropriate.
Repair or replace component parts in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
Establish and replicate the circumstances and conditions that give rise to reported faults.
Determine whether reported symptoms are a characteristic or a fault.
Diagnose faults and reported underperformance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers using approved diagnostic procedures and equipment and logical problem-solving techniques.
Maintain, interrogate, calibrate and repair electronic equipment and systems, including precision technology, electronic management systems, telemetry, autonomous and automated operations used in the land-based sector.
Differentiate between the root cause and symptom of land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover failures.
Identify crop, soil, climatic and environmental factors that impact on the performance of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers.
Identify the equipment settings appropriate to the working conditions giving due consideration to crop, soil types, conditions and environments, weather and climatic conditions.
Perform verification tests to check performance against manufacturer specification land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover performance.
Identify stakeholder requirements and provide tailored advice that informs their selection and operation of appropriate machinery, equipment and prime movers to meet the land based environment in which it will be operated.
Applies supervision and mentoring techniques to support junior colleagues' development.
Plan and prepare maintenance or repair work schedules for showing task allocation, sequencing, workflow and time management.
Compile technical reports and statements.
Provide technical input to facilitate the compilation of repair schedules, action plans, quotations and estimates.
Identify the parts and services required to enable the reinstatement of land-based machinery, equipment and prime movers for the purposes of estimates and quotations.
Perform installation and handover of machinery, equipment and prime movers, explaining their safe operation, the settings required for the environmental conditions and application, the maintenance and warranty requirements.
Establish level of customer understanding of how to operate the machinery or equipment following installation and handover.
Use predictive and preventative maintenance effectively to minimise land-based machinery, equipment and prime mover downtime.
Identify toxic and hazardous substances and environments and apply suitable and sustainable control measures.
Dispose of equipment, components and substances in accordance with environmental regulations, industry standards and company policy.
Keep up to date with advances in environment land-based working practices and the land-based engineering technologies and share best practice.
How contextual factors (including operational techniques, application, crop, soil types and conditions, environments, weather and climatic conditions) impact on machine performance and faults.
Repair complex electrical and electronic systems in accordance with job requirements.

Your training plan

Land-based Service Engineering Technician Level 3
Block release to Brooksby Campus
On-the-job training
Off-the-job training

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Initiative
Experience in plant monitoring

Other requirements

- Need to have own vehicle to make it to the plant - no public transport - Occasional long hours - e.g. at harvest time - Preferable driving license - Needs to be motivated and able to work on his own, yet communicate well (written and orally) to others in Merrivale Energy, our service providers and get on well with other feedstock suppliers, neighbours, site visitors etc. -Experience in plant monitoring using a SCADA system or equivalent is helpful

About this company

Merrivale Energy is a farm-based renewable energy generator, producing low carbon electricity and heat from a biogas plant. Anaerobic digestion (also known as “AD”) sits at the heart of the circular economy, treating food waste, sewage, and agricultural wastes, including manures and slurries, to create valuable products.

After this apprenticeship

Full-time position available when apprenticeship is finished
Growing business and other opportunities may be available for the right individual

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE SMB GROUP

Apprenticeships

apprenticeships@smbgroup.ac.uk

01530 519001

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000330475.

Apply now

Closes in 21 days (Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 11:59pm)

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