Apprentice Hire Controller
VP PLC
Durham (DH1 1TT)
Closes on Friday 26 June 2026
Posted on 10 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The Hire Controller role is about offering a service to both commercial and domestic customers to hire plant, tools and equipment (PTE) on short or long-term hire to carry out specific tasks. The type of product hired could range from powered hand tools, concrete breaker to towers and platforms.
- Wage
-
£21,000 a year
- Training course
- Hire controller (plant, tools and equipment) (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday, Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 5 October 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- 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
- Providing technical information to commercial construction and domestic customers to help them select and use suitable equipment for the planned activities e.g. Health & Safety in operation, instructions for use, suitability for construction site and project, transportation requirements
- Ensuring equipment for hire is compliant with Health & Safety requirements e.g. PAT testing, inspections and operational testing, plant operator site cards
- Completing contract documentation at both on-hire and off-hire stages including all legal and health & safety documentation;
- Processing payments including calculating hire & rental charges (vary depending on domestic or commercial construction clients), damage charges, fraud prevention measures and insurance payments
- Being a central point of information for colleagues in terms of stock control, maintenance, staffing (of driver-operated construction plant) and delivery/collection requirements
- Handling commercial and domestic customer technical enquiries and complaints
Where you'll work
Unit 36 Greta House
Greta House
Mandale Park, Belmont Industrial Estate
Durham
DH1 1TT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CITB
Training course
Hire controller (plant, tools and equipment) (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability principles, regulations, standards and organisational systems.
- Process new hires, damage waivers, orders, returns and enter onto company system.
- Create and send hire quotations, contact customer and entering purchase orders.
- Source plant, tools and equipment for customer requirements.
- Arrange the delivery and collection of equipment.
- Apply written communication techniques for example invoices, checklists, restrictions to drivers and hauliers delivery times, process damage agreement, notification documentation and emails.
- Manage customer relationships.
- Verbally communicate with customers and colleagues using industry terminology.
- Manage customer queries, requests and handle complaints within remit or escalate when required.
- Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
- Carry out hire transaction processes for example, contract documentation for on-hire and off-hire, raising requisitions and equipment delivery.
- Interpret and extract information from, for example schedules and drawings, machine’s operator’s manual or manufacturer’s instructions.
- Log plant, tool and equipment breakdowns, pass over to the service department.
- Ensure tool and equipment pre and post hire checks and operational testing of equipment has been carried out.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning opportunities and development activities.
- Use organisational IT technology and digital systems.
- Apply team working principles.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability principles, regulations, standards and organisational systems.
- Process new hires, damage waivers, orders, returns and enter onto company system.
- Create and send hire quotations, contact customer and entering purchase orders.
- Source plant, tools and equipment for customer requirements.
- Arrange the delivery and collection of equipment.
- Apply written communication techniques for example invoices, checklists, restrictions to drivers and hauliers delivery times, process damage agreement, notification documentation and emails.
- Manage customer relationships.
- Verbally communicate with customers and colleagues using industry terminology.
- Manage customer queries, requests and handle complaints within remit or escalate when required.
- Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
- Carry out hire transaction processes for example, contract documentation for on-hire and off-hire, raising requisitions and equipment delivery.
- Interpret and extract information from, for example schedules and drawings, machine’s operator’s manual or manufacturer’s instructions.
- Log plant, tool and equipment breakdowns, pass over to the service department.
- Ensure tool and equipment pre and post hire checks and operational testing of equipment has been carried out.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning opportunities and development activities.
- Use organisational IT technology and digital systems.
- Apply team working principles.
Training schedule
This is delivered online during work hours over the duration of the apprenticeship
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
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number 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 VAC2000014389.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 26 June 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.