Operative Engineer Apprentice

EMPIRE HIRE GROUP LIMITED

Unit 47-49 Icknield Way (LU6 2JX)

Closes in 16 days (Friday 7 August 2026)

Posted on 21 July 2026


Summary

An excellent opportunity in Dunstable to become an apprentice operative engineer with Empire Hire Group!

Training course
Engineering operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 08:30 to 18:00 1 Saturday per month.

44 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

2 years

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

Empire Hire Group is one of the fastest growing providers of short term hire of powered access, site security and tools in the UK. The company is headquartered in Dunstable, Bedfordshire but can rent the full range of equipment across all of England and Scotland.

Empire Hire Group has a huge fleet of equipment available to hire: including scissor lifts, boom lifts, push around pop ups, PECO/ECO lifts, material lifts, gas lifts, access towers, podiums, steps and combi ladders, secure site storage, pallet trucks and trolleys, pipe threading equipment and professional grade drills and saws.

The company's powered access equipment is ideal for a wide range of applications, including construction, maintenance, and refurbishment. The range of access equipment available is perfect for working at heights of up to 20 meters. The push around pop ups are a great economical option for smaller jobs, and the PECO/ECO lifts are manual lifts that are perfect for budget-conscious customers.

With this apprenticeship you will assist engineers with servicing, maintenance, and repair of powered access equipment, learn and support with pre-delivery inspections (PDIs) and safety checks, develop understanding of hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical systems, perform safe loading and unloading of equipment on vehicles, build technical competence to carry out servicing and repairs with increasing independence, maintain a safe, clean, and organised workshop environment and record work completed and maintain accurate service documentation.

Where you'll work

Empire Hire Group
Unit 47-49 Icknield Way
LU6 2JX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BEDFORD COLLEGE

Training course

Engineering operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

  • Engineering Operative – Level 2
  • EAL Level 2 Diploma in Engineering Operations
  • EAL Level 2 in Engineering Operations

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 3/D)
  • maths (grade 3/D)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Has a can-do attitude
  • Patience

Other requirements

Please consider your transport links to get to both the employers location and the college, ideally a driver due to the remote location outside of Dunstable with no public transport.
Candidates must attend an initial interview with a member of our Apprenticeship Recruitment Team if they meet the initial criteria as part of the recruitment process.
Only candidates who have fully completed the application will be considered.
Please be aware that the closing date is subject to change without prior notice.

About this employer

Tool Hire Company

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • Progress to qualified Service Engineer position
  • Specialise in hydraulics, electrics, or advanced diagnostics
  • Move into hybrid or full time mobile engineer to attend breakdowns on sites
  • Advance to senior engineering specialised in major investigations and repairs

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BEDFORD COLLEGE

Phillipa Moodie

PMoodie@bedford.ac.uk

01234 291000

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000043645.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 7 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.