Apprentice Service Engineer
VP PLC
Rainham (RM13 8HY)
Closes on Friday 26 June 2026
Posted on 9 February 2026
Contents
Summary
This is an Engineer who works on their own initiative in their own vehicle carrying out a wide range of tasks including fault finding, repair, servicing and maintenance on machinery, plant and associated equipment. Unlike marine or aviation equipment, this role focuses specifically on land-based machinery.
- Wage
-
£21,000 a year
- Training course
- Construction equipment maintenance technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday
Shifts to be confirmed
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
3 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
- Carry out in-depth legal, regulatory and organisational inspections and examinations of a range of construction plant and equipment
- Carry out self-supervised scheduled checks, servicing and maintenance activities for construction-based equipment
- Carry out in-depth technical diagnostics on all construction-based equipment
- Decommission, dismantle, repair, adapt, upgrade, rebuild and commission faulty construction equipment-based components
- Complete written reports and other documentation for a range of examination, inspection, diagnostic and maintenance activities
- Determine the viability of repairs, including cost-benefit analysis on a variation of construction-based equipment types, based on customer requirements and stipulations
- Specify generic and specialist health and safety control equipment and plan and apply safe working method
- Prepare, maintain and restore the work area, performing housekeeping and waste management as appropriate
- Obtain, read and interpret engineering data and documentation such as engineering drawings, technical data, blueprints, schematic drawings, and technical documentation
Where you'll work
Segro Industrial Park
5, Consul Avenue
Rainham
RM13 8HY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITB
Training course
Construction equipment maintenance technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or work areas.
- Provide information, advice, guidance or instruction to colleagues or stakeholders.
- Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships.
- Prepare and write technical reports, for example incident reports, technical investigations or outcomes, equipment appraisals and specifications, improvement suggestions.
- Identify and agree work goals. Plan work.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic, for example job sheets, risk assessments, method statements, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, organisational reporting requirements.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Investigate problems using fault-finding and diagnostic techniques to identify underlying causes. Identify solutions to problems.
- Read and interpret information, for example text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions.
- Select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks.
- Select and check construction plant equipment and hand tools including calibration and diagnostic equipment.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, time, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Perform maintenance tasks on construction equipment.
- Perform repair tasks on construction equipment.
- Carry out de-commissioning, removal and disassembly of components and equipment from construction plant.
- Assess condition of components and equipment. Test and check equipment or systems. Identify actions required.
- Carry out assembly and installation of components and equipment from construction equipment including alterations through design and fabrication activities.
- Apply contamination control techniques.
- Complete commissioning checks following maintenance and repair activities.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Apply quality assurance procedures.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Perform legal, regulatory and organisational checks, inspections and examinations.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders. For example, to access equipment or work areas.
- Provide information, advice, guidance or instruction to colleagues or stakeholders.
- Create, maintain and enhance productive working relationships.
- Prepare and write technical reports, for example incident reports, technical investigations or outcomes, equipment appraisals and specifications, improvement suggestions.
- Identify and agree work goals. Plan work.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic, for example job sheets, risk assessments, method statements, equipment service records, test results, handover documents and manufacturers' documentation, asset management records, work sheets, checklists, organisational reporting requirements.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace. Apply control measures.
- Apply health and safety procedures and safe systems of work in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Investigate problems using fault-finding and diagnostic techniques to identify underlying causes. Identify solutions to problems.
- Read and interpret information, for example text, data, engineering drawings, job card, work instructions, risk assessments, method statements, operation manuals, permits to work, instructions.
- Select techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks.
- Select and check construction plant equipment and hand tools including calibration and diagnostic equipment.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, time, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Perform maintenance tasks on construction equipment.
- Perform repair tasks on construction equipment.
- Carry out de-commissioning, removal and disassembly of components and equipment from construction plant.
- Assess condition of components and equipment. Test and check equipment or systems. Identify actions required.
- Carry out assembly and installation of components and equipment from construction equipment including alterations through design and fabrication activities.
- Apply contamination control techniques.
- Complete commissioning checks following maintenance and repair activities.
- Restore the work area on completion of the activity.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Apply quality assurance procedures.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Perform legal, regulatory and organisational checks, inspections and examinations.
Training schedule
You'll spend 16 weeks in total at College in England or Scotland in up to 4-week block release sessions
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
All successful applicants will be DBS checked (Criminal Recrord Checking)
About this employer
Established in 1954, Vp plc has evolved into a dynamic group of companies with expertise in equipment rental. Our organisation encompasses eleven prominent operating divisions: Airpac Rentals, Brandon Hire Station, Hire Station, MEP Hire, ESS, Groundforce, TPA, Torrent Trackside, Vp Rail, UK Forks and CPH.
Across these divisions, we proudly provide an extensive range of specialist products and comprehensive services tailored to various industries. Our offerings cater to diverse sectors such as construction, civil engineering, rail, water, oil and gas, outdoor events, and housebuilding.
With a rich history and a commitment to excellence, Vp plc is your trusted partner for all your equipment rental needs.
Vp plc is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills.
https://www.vpplc.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Salary sacrifice pension
25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
Free Tool Hire
Life Assurance cover 3x salary
Share save scheme
Eye care vouchers
Recommend a friend scheme
Discounts on HP product
After this apprenticeship
- After successful completion all qualified apprentices are offered a permanent position relevant to their qualification if still employed with Vp
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CITB
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013239.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 26 June 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.