Drainage / Vacuum Tanker Driver Apprentice
ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE MANAGEMENT LIMITED
HARLOW (CM18 6XW)
Closes on Monday 25 May 2026
Posted on 21 April 2026
Contents
Summary
As an HGV Class 2 Driver Apprentice, you will begin your journey within our operations as a Driver’s Mate and General Labourer, supporting experienced drivers with daily site and vehicle activities.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay will be in line with the apprenticeship programme at £8.00 per hour. Any overtime or weekend working will be paid at an enhanced rate of £12.00 per hour
- Training course
- Urban driver (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 1 June 2026
- Duration
-
1 year
- Positions available
-
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
During the initial stage of the apprenticeship, you will be employed in a Driver’s Mate and General Labourer position, working alongside experienced HGV drivers to gain practical, hands‑on exposure to daily operations.
You will support with vehicle and equipment checks, site preparation, loading and unloading activities, hose handling, traffic management where required.
Where you'll work
108 KINGSLAND
HARLOW
CM18 6XW
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE NATIONAL LOGISTICS ACADEMY LTD
Training course
Urban driver (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Prepare a fixed axle vehicle over 3500 kg in weight for the planned daily workload. This includes the cab, fluid levels, and general inspection.
- Monitor charge or fuel level of the vehicle to meet the daily requirements of the urban schedule
- Monitor the vehicle for defects.
- Co-ordinate own work with others to meet business priorities.
- Apply protections, manual handling and mechanical aids to the situation, when loading or off-loading goods.
- Prepare, position and secure goods appropriate for the goods type, the vehicle type and the urban conditions.
- Manage goods in transit. For example, security, and checking seals for signs of damage and leaks.
- Plan and/or adapt a driving route to meet contractual arrangements. For example single and multiple urban deliveries or collections.
- Drive fixed axle vehicles over 3500 kg in weight considering all relevant factors. This includes vehicle type, road surface, goods, environmental conditions, vulnerable road users and pedestrians
- Use on-board electronic systems in line with operating procedures.
- Respond and adapt to urban driving incidents, accidents roadworks and hazards.
- Manoeuvre fixed axle vehicles over 3500 kg in weight on site. For example, a customer driveway, building site, or recycling centre.
- Perform dynamic risk assessment of a site and take remedial action. For example, adjusting or aborting a delivery or collection due to safety issues.
- Manage relationships that enable successful urban delivery, collection and on-site contracts.
- Adapt communication style to meet the needs of the audience.
- Utilise available IT systems to manage data relating to the delivery/collection contract.
- Complete contractual obligations on site. For example, installing white goods in a home, or removing waste, leaving the site to the expected standard.
- Brief the customer on the technical specifications of the delivery, collection or installation, answering questions. This could mean, for instance, demonstrating how a product works.
- Adjust the services provided in response to customer requirements, within the limits of own role.
- Comply with relevant legislation and regulation, both when driving and on site
- Prepare a fixed axle vehicle over 3500 kg in weight for the planned daily workload. This includes the cab, fluid levels, and general inspection.
- Monitor charge or fuel level of the vehicle to meet the daily requirements of the urban schedule
- Monitor the vehicle for defects.
- Co-ordinate own work with others to meet business priorities.
- Apply protections, manual handling and mechanical aids to the situation, when loading or off-loading goods.
- Prepare, position and secure goods appropriate for the goods type, the vehicle type and the urban conditions.
- Manage goods in transit. For example, security, and checking seals for signs of damage and leaks.
- Plan and/or adapt a driving route to meet contractual arrangements. For example single and multiple urban deliveries or collections.
- Drive fixed axle vehicles over 3500 kg in weight considering all relevant factors. This includes vehicle type, road surface, goods, environmental conditions, vulnerable road users and pedestrians
- Use on-board electronic systems in line with operating procedures.
- Respond and adapt to urban driving incidents, accidents roadworks and hazards.
- Manoeuvre fixed axle vehicles over 3500 kg in weight on site. For example, a customer driveway, building site, or recycling centre.
- Perform dynamic risk assessment of a site and take remedial action. For example, adjusting or aborting a delivery or collection due to safety issues.
- Manage relationships that enable successful urban delivery, collection and on-site contracts.
- Adapt communication style to meet the needs of the audience.
- Utilise available IT systems to manage data relating to the delivery/collection contract.
- Complete contractual obligations on site. For example, installing white goods in a home, or removing waste, leaving the site to the expected standard.
- Brief the customer on the technical specifications of the delivery, collection or installation, answering questions. This could mean, for instance, demonstrating how a product works.
- Adjust the services provided in response to customer requirements, within the limits of own role.
- Comply with relevant legislation and regulation, both when driving and on site
Training schedule
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C)
- Maths (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
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
The HGV Class 2 Urban Driver apprenticeship is an essential part of your development towards becoming a qualified Drainage / Vacuum Tanker Driver. While completing the apprenticeship, you will learn and develop through working as a Driver’s Mate and General Labourer, gaining valuable hands‑on experience within operational environments. This will involve practical, physical work and variable hours, including weekends and potential Bank Holidays.
Applicants should be committed to both on‑the‑job learning and structured training, with progression based on performance, safety awareness, and overall engagement throughout the programme.
About this employer
Environmental Waste Management is a leading provider of domestic and commercial waste, drainage, and environmental services, supporting customers nationwide with safe, compliant, and sustainable solutions. With a strong focus on operational excellence, safety, and customer service, we invest in our people, modern equipment, and continuous improvement to deliver high standards across all areas of our business.
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the individual will be offered a guaranteed position as a skilled HGV Class 2 tanker driver.
There will be an expectation that the apprentice completes a period of Class 2 driving to build operational experience before progressing onto HGV Class 1 driver training
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE NATIONAL LOGISTICS ACADEMY LTD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027494.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 25 May 2026