Operations Shift Technician Engineering Apprentice
MARCHWOOD POWER LIMITED
Southampton (SO40 4BD)
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
Posted on 1 April 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you curious about UK Power Generation and how engineering supports manufacturing, quality, and national energy security? PETA Ltd are looking to recruit an exceptional Operations Shift Technician Engineering Apprentice for our client, Marchwood Power Ltd.
- Wage
-
£21,349 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Performance related pay review every 6 months.
- Training course
- Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday, between core business hours of 07:00 and 17:00.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 10 August 2026
- Duration
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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
This isn't just a desk job; it’s a front-row seat to the processes that power nearly one million homes. You will learn to operate, monitor, and fault-find on a state-of-the-art Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station, working with a highly skilled team to keep the lights on across the UK as an Operations Shift Technician Engineering Apprentice.
About the Role & Responsibilities:
Working within a twenty-strong operations team and reporting to the Operations and Maintenance Lead, you will develop the technical expertise required to manage the multi-million pound asset.
Core Responsibilities as an Operations Shift Technician Engineering Apprentice:
- Ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all company assets within designated limits (including steam chemistry and emissions)
- Operating the plant to meet commercial requirements using data handling software
- Regularly inspecting equipment, identifying hazards, and applying plant isolations to ensure ‘Safety from the System'
- Undertaking proactive maintenance and production projects to maximise plant availability
- Progressing toward supervising contract staff and ensuring compliance with Marchwood’s Safe Systems of Work
Where you'll work
Oceanic Way
Marchwood Industrial Park
Marchwood
Southampton
SO40 4BD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PETA LIMITED
Training course
Engineering and manufacturing support technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Follow health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, segregation of resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Comply with engineering standards and regulations. For example, British Standards (BS), International Organisation for Standardisation standards (ISO). European Norm (EN).
- Analyse engineering and manufacturing data and information to support technical outputs. For example, read and interpret text, data, engineering drawings, work instructions, method statements, operation manuals.
- Apply scientific, technical or engineering principles.
- Apply problem solving techniques to solutions for identified technical problems.
- Organise, plan and prioritise workflow and scheduling of work with stakeholders.
- Identify, organise and use resources to complete tasks, considering cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Produce job specific technical outputs. For example, engineering drawings, quality control management, computer control programming, business improvement, adverse incident reports, technical investigations, equipment appraisals and specifications.
- Provide support and guidance for handover of work to stakeholders. For example, checklists, product or process status, access to supporting documents.
- Record information - paper based or electronic. For example, energy usage, equipment service records, test results, handover documents, checklists.
- Follow standard operating procedures.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions. For example, safe instructions for use of products, processes and machinery.
- Apply quality assurance and control principles and practices. For example, conduct physical checks, take samples, inspections or tests.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate in writing with others for example, stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Carry out and record learning and development activities.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Training schedule
You will be enrolled in a Level 3 Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprenticeship. This 36-48 month program balances hands-on experience with academic learning:
- Work-Based Learning: On-the-job training at Marchwood Power, supported by a dedicated company mentor
- Formal Education: Weekly day-release training at PETA’s Havant site
- Technical Skills: You will learn 2D/3D CAD, create operating instructions, and support quality assurance activities
- Future Growth: Upon successful progress, there is the option for further education, including an HNC or higher
The successful candidate will join the team in August 2026.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C/4)
- Maths (grade C/4)
- Science (grade C/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
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Analytical thinker
- Passion for engineering
- Takes pride in their work
- Strong time management
- Keen eye for detail
- Ability to prioritise
Other requirements
Company Benefits:
- Pension: Salary sacrifice scheme with company matching up to 8.75%
- Holiday: 24 days annual leave (plus bank hols), increasing to 27 days with an option to purchase more
- Health & Wellbeing: Private Healthcare, Life Assurance, and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Perks: Electric Vehicle & Cycle to Work schemes, plus an Employee Assistance Programme
About this employer
Marchwood Power Limited owns and operates a multi-million pound natural gas-fired Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station on Marchwood Industrial Park, near Southampton.
Marchwood Power Station began generating electricity in 2009. The station generates approximately 895MW of electricity for the national grid, enough to supply nearly one million homes. This is equivalent to the needs of Southampton, the New Forest and Winchester.
The facility aims for optimum energy efficiency ensuring minimised impact on the environment per MW. It is one of the most efficient power stations in the UK.
In year 4 it is anticipated that the role will change to shift work in accordance with the shift rota which is 12 hour shifts. A additional shift allowance payment would then come into effect. Note – The Operations Shift Technician role is day and night work in accordance with the shift rota.
After this apprenticeship
Marchwood Power has a proven track record of nurturing talent. Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship as am Operations Shift Technician Engineering Apprentice, we aim to offer:
- Full-time employment as a qualified Operations Shift Technician
- Continued professional development tailored to your specific area of interest within the energy sector
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PETA LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000024517.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 31 July 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.