Apprentice Compressor Engineer- inc refrigeration

CJS DIRECT LTD

Recruiting nationally

Closes in 9 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 21 October 2026

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Summary

The programme builds practical engineering competence, technical knowledge, and safety awareness to support reliable, efficient, and compliant system performance.

Aligned to real operational settings, the apprenticeship supports productivity, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement across compressed air and vacuum applications.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates in force from 1 April 2026, verified against gov.uk. UK minimum wage rates from 1 April 2026: £12.71 National Living Wage (21+), £10.85 for 18-20, £8.00 under 18 and apprentices.

Training course
Compressed air and vacuum technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday- Friday. 8.00am- 16.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 9 November 2026

Duration

2 years

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

Learning electrical and mechanical workings of compressor and refrigeration dryers, also pipefitting including screwed and push-fit types

Where you'll work

Midlands based- but occasionally will be nationwide

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

The Level 3 Compressed Air & Vacuum Technician Apprenticeship is delivered through a blended model designed to integrate with day-to-day engineering operations.

Delivery Model

  • 1 day per week online knowledge delivery
  • Regular online progress reviews
  • Scheduled workplace visits for face-to-face assessment and support
  • Workplace-based competency development
  • Industry-recognised training aligned to sector standards

Apprentices apply learning directly in their role, developing practical skills while maintaining operational performance. Ongoing reviews ensure progress aligns with business needs and individual development. 

Requirements

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Customer care skills
  • A practical, hands-on approach
  • Motivated
  • Reliable
  • Fgas Mechanical
  • Fgas Electrical

About this employer

Serving the midlands and nationwide contracts since 1997.

Compressed air industry which includes sales service and installations.

Fgas registered company to work on refrigerated dryers

http://www.cjsdirect.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension Scheme
Employer Amount - 3%
Employee Amount - 5%
 

Holiday Entitlement - 24 days plus statutory holidays

After this apprenticeship

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

  • The go on and be independent engineer on the road with company vehicle and bonus scheme

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COGENT SSC LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060363.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Friday 30 October 2026 at 11:59pm)