Apprentice Water Network Operative

Summary

With over 140 years of combined experience in engineering and infrastructure. We help our clients safeguard the water and waste water networks, improving environmental performance and supporting sustainability. This 18-month apprenticeship sits within our Thames Water Infrastructure Programme, leading to a permanent role upon completion.

Wage

£17,667 to £28,571.40, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Annual review process in place.

Training course

Water network operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday. Overtime, weekends, and out-of-hours standby cover will be required as your programme progresses.

45 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

4

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

We will develop your practical, technical and soft-skills, with Health & Safety at the heart of everything you do. On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will gain a Water Network Operative Level 2 qualification and a permanent, long-term career with M Group Water!

You’ll learn to undertake Repair and Maintenance (R&M) tasks on the existing Water network.
We’ll teach you to installing water services and ancillary structures, you will prepare for and install water mains or services using a variety of jointing techniques.
You’ll learn how to interpret utility plans and adhere to safety procedures.
You’ll need to work to deadlines and ensure tasks are complete within programme.
You’ll be taught to understand and complete method statements and risk assessment.
We’ll show you how to identify any key risks and hazards, and how to report any near misses in line with our health & safety policies and procedures.
Safety is our licence to operate! You’ll champion health and safety standards to ensure a safe working environment.

Where you'll work

M Group Water C O Thames Water
White Waltham
SL6 3JE

Training

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

College or training organisation

UTILITY & CONSTRUCTION TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Water network operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Identify hazards and implement controls to reduce risks to people and the environment.
Comply with a safe system of work, including permits, work and engineering instructions.
Identify and organise resources.
Comply with workplace health, safety and environmental policy and practice; use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment.
Follow procedures for signing, lighting and guarding as well as public and pedestrian segregation and escalate issues if required.
Identify, locate and avoid damage to underground utility services.
Carry out safe excavation practices for utility network services.
Monitor and maintain site conditions; good housekeeping.
Select, check and operate equipment and tools; report faults if required.
Maintain and store equipment and tools, for example charge batteries, clean equipment, grease machines, re-fuel.
Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues and managers.
Use gas detection equipment.
Communicate in writing with others and record task information, for example, job sheets.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOP).
Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
Carry out learning and development activities.
Organise and prioritise own work.
Apply equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
Apply team working principles.
Carry out pipe cutting.
Carry out squeeze off activities.
Join materials by fusion techniques.
Join materials by mechanical means on clean water assets.
Drill and tap clean water assets.
Install clean water assets.
Conduct disinfection procedures for clean water mains and services.
Check the performance of the asset and escalate issues if necessary.
Use continuous supply procedures.
Repair water network asset.
Identify and solve common issues within the clean water network.
Use pumping equipment.
Follow hygiene procedures.
Install or replace waste water assets.
Replace and join materials by flexible seals, for example band seals on waste water services.
Prepare the site for a no dig team.
Carry out excavation and shoring of deep excavations.
Repair waste water network assets.
Use mitigation methods to maintain flow, for example using pumps, stopping or diverting.
Identify and solve common issues within the waste water network.
Decontaminate equipment, tooling and PPE.
Identify hazards and implement controls to reduce risks to people and the environment.
Comply with a safe system of work, including permits, work and engineering instructions.
Identify and organise resources.
Comply with workplace health, safety and environmental policy and practice; use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment.
Follow procedures for signing, lighting and guarding as well as public and pedestrian segregation and escalate issues if required.
Identify, locate and avoid damage to underground utility services.
Carry out safe excavation practices for utility network services.
Monitor and maintain site conditions; good housekeeping.
Select, check and operate equipment and tools; report faults if required.
Maintain and store equipment and tools, for example charge batteries, clean equipment, grease machines, re-fuel.
Communicate with others verbally for example, internal and external customers, colleagues and managers.
Use gas detection equipment.
Communicate in writing with others and record task information, for example, job sheets.
Follow standard operating procedures (SOP).
Use information technology and digital systems. Comply with GDPR and cyber security.
Carry out learning and development activities.
Organise and prioritise own work.
Apply equity, diversity and inclusion rules.
Apply team working principles.
Carry out pipe cutting.

Your training plan

You’ll undergo block release training at 3t Training Services based in Urmston, Manchester. Here you will acquire the basic knowledge, skills and competence to enable you to work productively within the water industry. Accommodation (Monday-Friday) will be covered during block release weeks. Other expenses are reimbursed in line with our policy.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade A-D (9-4))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Physical fitness
driving license

Other requirements

Have the right to work in the UK. Be willing to undertake Functional Skills, if required. Be able to travel to your place of work, potentially at unsocial hours. Be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Have a high degree of manual dexterity. Hardworking and reliable. Ability to use your own initiative and have a ‘can do’ attitude.

About this company

We want to be an employer of choice and a great place to work, attracting diverse and talented people, who join us and make a difference. We’re one of the Top 100 UK companies actively supporting and recruiting army veterans. Our ENABLE inclusion networks bring together people who have a shared passion, to help create an environment where everyone belongs. Our values help to shape our culture and how we work with one another. We recruit with these values in mind, to ensure your aspirations, and ways of working, align with ours. We’re responsible and go further for our people, clients, communities and the planet We’re open and seek new and better ways of exceeding expectations We’re together and as one team; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts We’re ambitious and embrace opportunity, to lead essential infrastructure services for life Whether you’re a trainee, apprentice or graduate, or progressing through your career, our people benefit from industry recognised programmes, training and development. It’s an exceptional time to be a part of M Group.

https://mgroupltd.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension scheme, Online GP service, Employee assistance programme, My Rewards discounts portal, Life assurance, Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, Reward and recognition scheme, Health Care Cash Plan, Recommend a friend, Personal Accident Cover.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Our apprentices can progress into a variety of different pathways following this apprenticeship. The standard route would be Operative - Team Leader - Supervisor - Project Manager etc.

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