Design Engineer Apprenticeship
CPW
West Midlands (B90 4LH)
Closes on Friday 5 June 2026
Posted on 9 April 2026
Contents
Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Design Engineer to join us at CPW. You will work on a wide variety of building projects across a range of sectors, applying research-led design, innovation, and sustainable methodologies to create tailored solutions, whilst delivering on net-zero carbon.
- Wage
-
£20,500 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
We offer a wide range of competitive benefits to all employees. Further details will be shared with you when we meet you.
- Training course
- Building services engineering senior technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
General working hours will be 9am - 17:15pm, 4 days a week, with one day per week as your college release day.
36 hours 15 minutes a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
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8
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
In your new role as a design engineer, you will be:
- Be assigned to a close-knit team with a dedicated mentor and work with them on a variety of exciting construction projects across a range of sectors, including commercial, healthcare, industrial, education and residential
- Design mechanical and electrical engineering services to create high-quality internal environments, developing detailed knowledge of heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting systems
- Design engineering distribution networks for essential building services, including power, water and data
- Design a variety of essential systems to ensure occupant safety
- Use sophisticated computer software to create 3D models detailing how buildings function
- Learn how to optimise the synergy between engineering and architecture to create low-energy, sustainable buildings
- Meet and work with clients and other professionals such as architects, cost consultants, master planners, ecologists, contractors, acousticians and fire consultants
- Work closely with the construction teams on site to see your designs come to life
- Continue to work with evolving technologies and innovative approaches to create a sustainable future for the built environment
Where you'll work
Unit 100
Arleston Way
Solihull
West Midlands
B90 4LH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM
Training course
Building services engineering senior technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply engineering principles, using relevant scientific, theoretical and technical know-how to solve well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Apply building services engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review the results, when measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, maintaining or operating building services engineering systems.
- Employ a range of advanced mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components or parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data to address well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Produce and interpret building services engineering technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages, recognising the limitations of the software used.
- Produce building services engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, procedures, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Comply with, and encourage others to demonstrate, statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development, and assess the impact of these in their work.
- Employ project management techniques, measuring and recording progress against building services engineering project plans.
- Assess and report on quality using appropriate management and assurance systems and continuous improvement processes.
- Identify and use resources, equipment and technology to meet project requirements, including specifications, budget and timescales.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and supervise others, recognising the need to comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate using appropriate methods for the audience, using appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply ethical principles to building services engineering projects, including the secure use of data and information.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, updating and reviewing their CPD to improve performance.
- Apply engineering principles, using relevant scientific, theoretical and technical know-how to solve well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Apply building services engineering techniques, procedures and methods, and review the results, when measuring and testing, designing, installing, commissioning, maintaining or operating building services engineering systems.
- Employ a range of advanced mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components or parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data to address well-defined building services engineering problems.
- Produce and interpret building services engineering technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages, recognising the limitations of the software used.
- Produce building services engineering technical solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, procedures, codes of practice, regulations, and legislation.
- Comply with, and encourage others to demonstrate, statutory health, safety and welfare policies, procedures and regulation.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks.
- Apply principles of sustainable development, and assess the impact of these in their work.
- Employ project management techniques, measuring and recording progress against building services engineering project plans.
- Assess and report on quality using appropriate management and assurance systems and continuous improvement processes.
- Identify and use resources, equipment and technology to meet project requirements, including specifications, budget and timescales.
- Monitor and manage individual performance, and supervise others, recognising the need to comply with appropriate codes of practice and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) requirements.
- Communicate using appropriate methods for the audience, using appropriate engineering terminology and conventions.
- Apply ethical principles to building services engineering projects, including the secure use of data and information.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, updating and reviewing their CPD to improve performance.
Training schedule
You will acheive a Level 4 HNC in Building Services Engineering and will study, one day per week.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
- Science (grade 4)
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
- Maths (grade C)
- Physics (grade C)
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
- Number skills
- Team working
Other requirements
You must have a Level 3 qualification to progress onto a Level 4 Study. This can include A levels, BTEC or NVQ.
About this employer
We’re a friendly team intent on bringing sustainable buildings to life through design. We relish working collaboratively with our clients to solve their biggest problems. Through the application of research-led design, innovation, and sustainable methodologies we can create tailored solutions that meet the needs of our clients, whilst also being positive for the environment and delivering on net-zero carbon. Our business is a family, where each person plays an important role in the day-to-day operation which contribute to its success. As such, staff well-being is our top priority. We are invested in our people; we strive to ensure that each member of our staff is fulfilled to be the best they can be. Ultimately, Our People are our Power.
After this apprenticeship
You will be able to progress from a Level 4 onto a Level 6/Degree Apprenticeship Course or continue as a Design Engineer, if desired.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CPW
Melissa Ballyn-Edwards
melissa.ballyn-edwards@cpwp.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025527.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 5 June 2026