Apprentice Electrician (electrical installation and maintenance) - University of Oxford - Physics
University of Oxford
Oxford (OX1 3RH)
Closes in 16 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 April 2026
Contents
Summary
We have a fantastic opportunity to join the University of Oxford as an Apprentice Electrician (electrical installation and maintenance) in the Physics department and play a part in developing a better future for all. You will join a highly skilled Building Services team as its 12th member and as our 4th electrician.
- Wage
-
£26,686 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
All apprentices at the University start on the same salary £26,686 - Grade 1A
- Training course
- Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, during regular office hours to be confirmed. This is a 3.5-year apprenticeship within a 4-year fixed-term contract of employment.
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years 6 months
- 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
The Building Services team supports the department to make sure all infrastructural requirements are met. Our work falls broadly into 3 areas:
- Maintenance and servicing
- Testing and inspection to make sure we are compliant
- The rearrangement of space and objects so that the next task can be done in the space dedicated
The last task can be as simple as removing waste, shifting furniture or as complex as a small Capital works project to reconfigure space: Stripping out, reconfiguring walls and doors, installing new power, lighting and data, processing chilled water, new paint, new flooring, and new ceiling etc.
The work is varied, and you will be trained in electrical installation and maintenance disciplines.
With the introduction of the 18th edition wiring regulations at the beginning of 2019, we have taken on refurbishment projects and this has led to the need to increase the number of electricians. As working in an Oxford University department as an electrician is somewhat unique, we want to take this opportunity to train our own staff.
As an apprentice, you will join the team sometime between July and September (the 1st September is the latest you would start), as the college training is due to start in September 2026. This gives you a chance to develop skills in and around being an electrician and to be settled at work before college starts.
Responsibilities:
- Take instructions from an experienced technician, in order to independently complete basic technical tasks
- Learn that safety is at the forefront of everything we do, to develop the skills and understanding to work safely
- Safely operate basic equipment and seek assistance from more experienced technicians when required
- Ensure that the work environment and equipment are kept organised, clean, tidy and secure
- Gain an understanding of University Blue Book philosophies and regulations. Also, gain an understanding of BS7671 Wiring Regulations
- Complete records and paperwork in line with statutory testing and other processes
- Attend all day and block courses in line with your apprenticeship
- Communicate back to your supervisor, any problems for extra advice and on completion of tasks set
- Select, within limits, materials and equipment
- After suitable and sufficient training, join the Building Services Fire Response Team
- Under the guidance of colleagues, develop the expertise, confidence and skills to engage with academics, researchers, managers and administrators and eventually offer advice on solutions that are timely and cost-effective
- Any additional tasks that fall within your competency as directed
Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties:
This job includes the following hazard-specific or safety-critical duties, which will require successful pre-employment health screening through our Occupational Health Department before the successful candidate will be allowed to start work:
- Working at heights
- Use of any hand tools
- Use of an electric drill
- Manual handling
- Possible driving on university business
The apprentice will learn about these on-the-job under supervision by a qualified technician or engineer.
Where you'll work
Denys Wilkinson Building
Keble Road
Oxford
OX1 3RH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Training course
Installation and maintenance electrician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with all relevant legislation including environmental, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance when planning and performing electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used when undertaking electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Carry out work in a tidy and safe manner, including restoration of the work area on completion of work.
- Apply relevant legislation; Building Regulations; industry guidance notes; relevant codes of practice, the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) and other relevant standards while carrying out work.
- Understand and apply the practices and procedures for planning and preparing to maintain electrotechnical systems and equipment.
- Apply and use necessary mathematical and scientific techniques, formulae, and calculations that underpin an electrician’s work.
- Use a range of tools, materials, equipment, and components, including prefabricated, relevant to performing electrical work in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
- Design, plan, set up, and install electrical and related electronic systems including terminating and connecting cables in electrical wiring systems, installations, and equipment in commercial, industrial, and residential installations.
- Inspect and test new and where applicable existing electrical Installations in industrial, commercial and residential environments using test equipment.
- Apply diagnostic and problem-solving techniques to identify, assess and resolve electrical faults in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
- Install electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
- Maintain electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
- Carry out and manage own work ensuring work is compliant to the standards required of an electrician working in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Record work including the completion and maintenance of work documentation, recording of test results and preparation of appropriate certification.
- Use relevant digital learning platforms and business communication and collaboration applications.
- Comply with all relevant legislation including environmental, regulations, codes of practice and other relevant information and guidance when planning and performing electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Identify and use personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used when undertaking electrical work in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Carry out work in a tidy and safe manner, including restoration of the work area on completion of work.
- Apply relevant legislation; Building Regulations; industry guidance notes; relevant codes of practice, the requirements of the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS7671) and other relevant standards while carrying out work.
- Understand and apply the practices and procedures for planning and preparing to maintain electrotechnical systems and equipment.
- Apply and use necessary mathematical and scientific techniques, formulae, and calculations that underpin an electrician’s work.
- Use a range of tools, materials, equipment, and components, including prefabricated, relevant to performing electrical work in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
- Design, plan, set up, and install electrical and related electronic systems including terminating and connecting cables in electrical wiring systems, installations, and equipment in commercial, industrial, and residential installations.
- Inspect and test new and where applicable existing electrical Installations in industrial, commercial and residential environments using test equipment.
- Apply diagnostic and problem-solving techniques to identify, assess and resolve electrical faults in industrial, commercial and residential environments.
- Install electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
- Maintain electrical and electronic equipment and components, including traditional and novel technologies such as connections for EV charge points, battery storage, solar and thermal panels, heating and cooling systems.
- Carry out and manage own work ensuring work is compliant to the standards required of an electrician working in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.
- Record work including the completion and maintenance of work documentation, recording of test results and preparation of appropriate certification.
- Use relevant digital learning platforms and business communication and collaboration applications.
Training schedule
Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:
You will be required to complete a three-and-a-half-year training programme (within a four-year contract of employment) that will cover all aspects of the role and will be delivered through in-house training, as well as day-release in college (Abingdon Campus)
College Attendance:
- You will attend college on a regular basis throughout the apprenticeship in accordance with the requirements of the training provider (Abingdon & Witney College)
- College attendance and successful completion of all modules are an apprenticeship requirement
More training information
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- Day release during term time (approximately 1 day per week for 36 months)
- Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
- Approximately 4 on-site visits per year
- Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (7 days at college for each, if required)
- Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 1066 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship
Qualifications included:
- City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical qualification
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team working
- Physical fitness
- Committed to the training
- Aptitude for the role
- Reliable and punctual
- A good work ethic
- Awareness of Health & Safety
- Able to work at height
- Able to work in small spaces
- Can demonstrate perseverance
Other requirements
- BEFORE APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE AND READ THE FULL ADVERT AND ACCOMPANYING JOB DESCRIPTION AS THIS PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ROLE - JOB REFERENCE 186191.
- You will be passionate about starting your electrical career and excited about the opportunity about becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford. You may be starting your career or you may be looking for a career change
- To complete the level 3 apprenticeship, it is essential that you are able to evidence passes at grades 9-5 in GCSE maths and English at the time of applying
- Please note that the training provider is required to assess your current ability in maths and English as part of the application process, even if you already have your English and maths qualifications
- In applying for this role, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to access your Learner Record and to contact you in order to carry out required pre-screening checks
About this employer
Becoming an apprentice at the University of Oxford is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience and training. You will work alongside experienced colleagues, whilst learning on the job and appropriate objectives will be set during the course of the Apprenticeship. At the same time, you will study for formal qualifications in your field. We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 17,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, professional development opportunities, sporting facilities, childcare facilities and staff networking!
After this apprenticeship
- In total, it will take four years to complete and achieve all elements of this apprenticeship, with support from the department, university, and college throughout
- Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship, and that is just the start of their career
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Jane Phipps
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028901.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Friday 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm)