Level 3 Apprentice Field Service Engineer - Instrumentation (Wastewater)

United Utilities

Kendal Wastewater Treatment Works, Wattsfield Road, Kendal, Cumbria (LA9 5JN)

Closes in 24 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

Posted on 29 January 2026

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Summary

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! We’ll provide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

• Wage:

  £20,000 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Reward and benefits – There are lots of perks, including a starting salary of £20,000, which will increase each year based on performance

• Training course: Water industry asset maintenance technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, times to be confirmed.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 2 September 2026

• Duration:

  4 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

As a Level 3 Apprentice Field Service Engineer - Instrumentation (Wastewater), you’ll learn how to:

• Install, repair and maintain our process instrumentation, control and automation systems, ensuring our wastewater assets are available and are working correctly, helping to keep services running smoothly for our customers
• Work as part of a dedicated team focussed on ensuring our plants continue to operate at maximum efficiency
• Work with a wide range of equipment, be able to identify any faults and carry out routine maintenance, following the company’s rigorous health and safety standards
• Schedule maintenance activity and how to organise your workload effectively

Where you'll work

Kendal Wastewater Treatment Works, Wattsfield Road, Kendal, Cumbria
LA9 5JN

Training

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

Training provider

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

Training course

Water industry asset maintenance technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Work in line with water industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Plan maintenance work, taking into consideration: process safety and following process risk assessments; the impact work has on the environment and on water treatment or wastewater recycling.
• Identify and organise resources to complete tasks, with consideration for process, cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Follow health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards, including PPE.
• Comply with sustainability principles. Segregate waste for recycling, reuse or disposal.
• Select, check store and maintain equipment and tools.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
• Communicate in writing and record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and legal reporting requirements.
• Collect, interpret and use data and information using information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion policies and practices.
• Apply teamworking principles.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
• Communicate with and provide support, technical advice, work updates and information to technical and non-technical colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Carry out and record learning and development activities.
• Comply with security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
• Electrical: Install, commission and decommission cabling and electrical equipment.
• Electrical: Apply electrical theories and principles.
• Electrical: Apply repair and maintenance practices and techniques.
• Electrical: Modify electrical circuits.
• Electrical: Interrogate information displayed on different types of intelligent control equipment. To include, PLCs, HMIs, Intelligent Starters, Variable Speed Drives (VSDs).
• Electrical: Carry out fault finding and rectification techniques using aids and diagnostic equipment.
• Electrical: Use tools, equipment, resources and components for installation, repair and maintenance.
• Electrical: Isolate equipment in preparation for maintenance work, including permits, safe isolation policies and lock off systems.
• Electrical: Inspect and test electrical installations and equipment.
• Electrical: Use electrical drawings.
• Electrical: Install different cable types and terminate to their specifications and applications.
• Electrical: Use mathematical theory.
• Electrical: Identify a problem, investigate problem to identify the underlying cause. Identify a solution.
• ICA: Apply electrical theories and principles.
• ICA: Install, commission and decommission ICA equipment.
• ICA: Configure instrumentation and control devices.
• ICA: Calibrate and monitor open and closed loop systems.
• ICA: Use tools, equipment, resources and components for installation, repair and maintenance.
• ICA: Configure field instrumentation, communication devices and equipment used in system and process control.
• ICA: Apply repair and maintenance practices and techniques to instrumentation and control equipment, control systems and cabling.
• ICA: Carry out fault finding techniques for instrumentation and control equipment. Use diagnostic equipment.
• ICA: Inspect and test ICA equipment.
• ICA: Interpret and use design specifications, plans, drawings and manufacturer's instructions.
• ICA: Calibrate ICA equipment.
• ICA: Use mathematical theory.
• ICA: Isolate equipment in preparation for maintenance work, including permits, safe isolation policies and lock off systems.
• ICA: Install different cable types and terminate to their specifications and applications.
• ICA: Test telemetry signals and configure outstations.
• ICA: Use software to produce programs to be used within the control system.
• ICA: Assess condition of equipment. Identify action required.
• ICA: Identify a problem, investigate problem to identify the underlying cause. Identify a solution.
• ICA: Analyse and monitor data to make evidence based changes if required.
• Mechanical: Carry out commissioning and decommissioning tasks on mechanical equipment.
• Mechanical: Assemble, position and install mechanical equipment or components.
• Mechanical: Disconnect and remove mechanical equipment or components.
• Mechanical: Apply repair and maintenance practices and techniques.
• Mechanical: Use tools, equipment, resources and components for installation, repair and maintenance tasks.
• Mechanical: Isolate plant and equipment in preparation for maintenance work, including permits, safe isolation policies, lock off systems and depressurisation of pressurised systems.
• Mechanical: Inspect and test mechanical systems and components.
• Mechanical: Carry out fault finding and rectification techniques using aids and diagnostic equipment.
• Mechanical: Carry out inspection and monitoring of mechanical systems and equipment.
• Mechanical: Identify a problem, investigate problem to identify the underlying cause. Identify a solution.
• Mechanical: Interpret and use manufacturer’s instructions, design specifications, plans and drawings.
• Mechanical: Apply basic fabrication, welding and thermal cutting processes for mechanical components and structures.
• Mechanical: Apply bench fitting techniques.
• Mechanical: Use machinery. For example, lathes, pillar drills, milling machine, threading machine, mechanical saws.
• Mechanical: Apply mechanical theories and principles.
• Mechanical: Use mathematical theory.
• Work in line with water industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Plan maintenance work, taking into consideration: process safety and following process risk assessments; the impact work has on the environment and on water treatment or wastewater recycling.
• Identify and organise resources to complete tasks, with consideration for process, cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
• Follow health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards, including PPE.
• Comply with sustainability principles. Segregate waste for recycling, reuse or disposal.
• Select, check store and maintain equipment and tools.
• Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
• Communicate in writing and record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and legal reporting requirements.
• Collect, interpret and use data and information using information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Apply equity, diversity and inclusion policies and practices.
• Apply teamworking principles.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
• Communicate with and provide support, technical advice, work updates and information to technical and non-technical colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Carry out and record learning and development activities.
• Comply with security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.

Training schedule

During your first year, you’ll spend 3 days per week over an 8-month duration during term time at the Bolton Technical Training Centre. If you do not live near, accommodation will be reimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.

More training information

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll be asked to join part of a formal standby rota, which may require you to do some out-of-hours work. Don’t worry, your training will prepare you for this, but we do advise that you apply for a vacancy that’s relatively easy for you to get to, as we would need you to travel to the site easily.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• 5 GCSE's minimum or equivalent (grade A-C or 9-4)
• Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject (grade A-C or 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working

About this employer

United Utilities is responsible 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. 

https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/apprenticeships/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits. 

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme. (As long as you meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme).

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011484.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

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