Compressor Engineer Apprentice

DIRECT AIR & PIPEWORK LTD

COVENTRY (CV3 2RQ)

Closes on Thursday 1 October 2026

Posted on 21 August 2026

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Summary

Working within our installations department you will be trained across compressed air systems including compressors, dryers, filters, condensate management; leak detection; installation of pipework systems. This is a hands-on job role which involves travel and learning on the job with experienced engineers.

Wage

£17,680 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Annual salary reviews and performance related reviews 

Training course
Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3)
Hours
Your normal hours of work will be 40 hours per week, with core working hours from 7.00am to 4.00pm each day, Monday to Friday. Overtime is paid for any additional hours. There will be requirements for working away, Monday to Friday.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 19 October 2026

Duration

2 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

  • Installation of pipework systems including aluminium, screwed, crimped and other systems
  • General health and safety in engineering construction
  • Specific pipefitting safety and safe working conditions
  • Technical drawings
  • Use of basic hand and power tools
  • Cutting and preparing pipe
  • Cold bending ferrous and non-ferrous pipe
  • Fabricating pipework and supports
  • Assembling and installing pipework systems
  • Preparing and testing pipework systems
  • This role may involve learning the servicing of compressors, dryers, filters, condensate management, leak detection 
  • The role may involve working away during the working week for which an allowance is made

Where you'll work

38 HERALD WAY
BINLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
COVENTRY
CV3 2RQ

Training

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

Training provider

COGENT SSC LIMITED

Training course

Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Install compressed air or vacuum equipment, piping, electrical connections and control systems.
  • Commission compressed air or vacuum equipment and/or components.
  • Lock off and isolate equipment; electrical and mechanical.
  • Decommission and disconnect specified equipment or components, for long term shut down or disposal for example. Categorise equipment for reuse, disposal or recycling and when necessary, complete storage measures to prevent deterioration.
  • Maintain and service compressed air or vacuum equipment or components.
  • Diagnose; rectify faults and/or repair of compressed air or vacuum equipment, components and systems.
  • Inspect pressure/vacuum vessels, their safety devices and/or other equipment.
  • Select and use hand tools, specialist tools and instruments, including test equipment. Check tools and identify and report tool defects where necessary. Store of tools and equipment.
  • Plan and prepare for work, for example task delegation, work-flow, route planning and time management. Obtain and check parts.
  • Report and record work activity, for example asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Adhere to heath and safety regulations, legislation and safe working practices; identify risks, hazards and control measure.
  • Read and interpret technical and safety documentation, for example risk assessments, method statements, permits to work, operation and maintenance manuals and wiring diagrams.
  • Communicate with stakeholders - internal and/or external, for example customers, colleagues, managers and the general public.
  • House-keeping, including restoring the work area on completion of the activity, returning any resources and consumables, disposal of waste, re-cycling/re-using where appropriate.
  • Use IT, for example document creation, communication and information management.
  • Install compressed air or vacuum equipment, piping, electrical connections and control systems.
  • Commission compressed air or vacuum equipment and/or components.
  • Lock off and isolate equipment; electrical and mechanical.
  • Decommission and disconnect specified equipment or components, for long term shut down or disposal for example. Categorise equipment for reuse, disposal or recycling and when necessary, complete storage measures to prevent deterioration.
  • Maintain and service compressed air or vacuum equipment or components.
  • Diagnose; rectify faults and/or repair of compressed air or vacuum equipment, components and systems.
  • Inspect pressure/vacuum vessels, their safety devices and/or other equipment.
  • Select and use hand tools, specialist tools and instruments, including test equipment. Check tools and identify and report tool defects where necessary. Store of tools and equipment.
  • Plan and prepare for work, for example task delegation, work-flow, route planning and time management. Obtain and check parts.
  • Report and record work activity, for example asset management records, work sheets, checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
  • Adhere to heath and safety regulations, legislation and safe working practices; identify risks, hazards and control measure.
  • Read and interpret technical and safety documentation, for example risk assessments, method statements, permits to work, operation and maintenance manuals and wiring diagrams.
  • Communicate with stakeholders - internal and/or external, for example customers, colleagues, managers and the general public.
  • House-keeping, including restoring the work area on completion of the activity, returning any resources and consumables, disposal of waste, re-cycling/re-using where appropriate.
  • Use IT, for example document creation, communication and information management.

Training schedule

Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician Level 3.

This role will include a Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician (CAVT) Apprenticeship delivered across 30-months.

The training will be completed via remote online delivered by the training provider. This will be supported by training at the apprentice's workplace - either in the workshop or at a customer's site.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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

Other requirements

This role will require you to have or obtain a full UK's driver's license. Applicants without this will be considered under the understanding this is achieved within an agreed timeframe. The role may involve working away during the working week for which an allowance is made. The role is physically demanding and involves working at height. You must be able to demonstrate an ability to work with your hands.

About this employer

Direct Air is a full service compressed air company providing the supply, installation and ongoing maintenance of compressed air equipment. We see ourselves as an extension of our customers engineering team. We work nationwide and have 3 premises in both Coventry and Cheltenham.

https://www.directair.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Flexitime
  • On-site parking
  • Private medical insurance
  • Sick pay

After this apprenticeship

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

For the applicants who demonstrate aptitude for this role, future promotion to a senior engineer position is possible. 

Additional training to become multi-skilled in Servicing/Maintenance is also a progression route.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DIRECT AIR & PIPEWORK LTD

Emma Dolby

vacancies@directair.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000049317.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 1 October 2026