Compactor Maintenance Engineer Apprentice
PDE WASTE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
Slough (SL3 0EG)
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026
Posted on 14 April 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you ready to kick start your career in engineering with a company where your skills are valued and your future is supported?
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Maintenance Engineer Apprentice with a strong interest in electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems to join our PDE Waste Technologies Ltd contract.
- Wage
-
£23,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
PDE Waste Technologies are dedicated to provide diversity, equality, and inclusion. We believe great ideas come from everywhere, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.
- Training course
- Engineering fitter (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 07:00 - 15:30
35 hours a week
- Start date
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Thursday 10 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years 6 months
- Positions available
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2
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
- Attend college once a week and undertake study to complete relevant training modules, and maintain records to achieve the apprenticeship in alignment with the requirements of the Grundon apprenticeship scheme
- To install new equipment on customer’s premises (after training).
- Report or communicate all necessary information to the compactor department in a timely manner and in an appropriate format
- To work alongside the compaction team to gain a full working knowledge of compaction systems
- To service and repair equipment to the highest standard, supported by documentation (after training)
- Liaise with our customers in a professional manner and adhere to and respect customer site rules at all times
- Ensure full compliance with all Company policies and procedures including health and safety and employment
Where you'll work
PDE Waste Technologies Ltd
Lakeside Road Colnbrook
Slough
SL3 0EG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE WINDSOR FOREST COLLEGES GROUP
Training course
Engineering fitter (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
- Reading, interpreting and understanding the component or assembly specification, diagrams, drawings and work instructions.
- Planning component or assembly task – materials, tools and equipment.
- Preparing work area for component or assembly task; sourcing required resources, tools and equipment.
- Carry out relevant planning and preparation activities before commencing work activity and know how to source required resources and interpret detailed drawings, specifications and job instructions.
- Checking tools during and after task completion; identifying and reporting defects.
- Measuring and testing, checking or inspecting component or assembly for example; use of micrometers, verniers, multimeters, voltmeter.
- Problem solving; analysing the issue and fixing the issue where appropriate.
- Applying improvement techniques; recommending or implementing solutions where appropriate.
- Communicating with colleagues or customers (internal or external).
- Completing component or assembly documentation for example job instructions, drawings, quality control documentation.
- Reporting work outcomes or issues.
- Restoring the work area on completion of the activity; returning any resources and consumables to the appropriate location and house-keeping.
- Disposing of waste in accordance with waste streams; re-cycling, re-using where appropriate.
- Operating within limits of responsibility.
- Operating in line with quality, health and safety and environmental policy and procedures; identifying risks and hazards and identifying control measures where applicable.
Training schedule
- Based at Colnbrook near Heathrow, you will be part of the PDE Waste Technologies Ltd team. PDE Waste Technologies plays a crucial role within the wider organisation, acting as a specialist supplier and trusted service partner, delivering expert technical knowledge and operational support across the business
- With the support and guidance of the team and our partner college, you will receive comprehensive training to develop the skills and experience needed to service, repair and maintain balers, as well as both mobile and static waste compaction equipment
- This hands-on role will require you to work at customer sites and within industrial environments, building the expertise required for a successful career in engineering
- Please note this position will involve regular travel across all PDE operational sites, with occasional overnight stay
- For logistical purposes, it is preferable for the successful candidate to be located within approximately 25 miles of the Colnbrook office
More training information
- Gain a ST0432 Engineering Fitter Level 3 qualification once completed
- Attend college 1 day a week
- Course Duration: Proximately 42 months
- You will be required to spend at least 12 months on programme and complete the required amount off the job training in line with the apprenticeship
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade A*–C / 9–5)
- Maths (grade A*–C / 9–5)
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
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
Other requirements
- No previous experience is required as full structured training and ongoing support will be provided
- The ability to communicate confidently and professionally with both internal teams and external customers
- Basic IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office, and a willingness to learn new systems
- Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively
- The confidence to work independently once trained, while also contributing positively as part of a team
- An understanding of basic Health & Safety principles in the workplace
- Flexibility with start and finish times, and the ability to travel, sometimes at short notice
- A full, valid UK driving licence (with your own vehicle)
- Ability to undergo a CRC (Criminal Record Check) at the basic level from Disclosure Scotland, together with a personal reference
About this employer
PDE Waste Technologies is a leading UK provider of innovative waste compaction, recycling and handling equipment, with over 70 years of combined product research and development experience. Delivering a market-leading range of waste and recycling systems, PDE Waste Technologies offers established and new technologies for waste reduction, recycling and handling with an experienced and dedicated team.
https://www.pde.uk.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
What we offer:
- A supportive, inclusive, and fun team culture
- Competitive salary and great 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
- After completing the apprenticeship there will be an offer for a permanent position as a qualified engineer
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PDE WASTE TECHNOLOGIES LTD
Sophie Burnett
Sophie.Burnett@Grundon.com
01491 834311
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025937.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 31 May 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.