Engineering Maintenance Technician (Electrical & Mechanical) Apprentice

VPI Holdings Ltd

Rochester, (ME3 9TX)

Closes on Wednesday 25 March 2026

Posted on 3 February 2026

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Contents

Summary

VPI are looking for an Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprentice to join their team. Candidates should be confident, keen, and enthusiastic and committed with a positive attitude to work. This is an ideal opportunity to learn all aspects of the role with the potential to progress.

Wage

£19,240 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

4 years 4 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

VPI Damhead are looking for an apprentice to train alongside our existing, experienced team.  As an apprentice you will study a range of programmes working towards a Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship standard, covering a variety of skills and qualifications while earning a wage and completing invaluable practical skills in industry. You will be working alongside a mentor and assisting the experienced process shift team with the following duties:

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Start-up & shutdown the plant process as per operating procedures
  • Operating the plant and process within the set production and safety parameters
  • Take samples as per the sampling schedule and procedure
  • Complete daily logs and make notes of operational events and communicate to the Shift Team Leader and oncoming shift team
  • Assist in the return to service of new plant and equipment
  • Assisting in carrying out permit to work isolations, de-isolations
  • Report any Health & Safety issues / incidents
  • Report any Engineering issues
  • Ensure good housekeeping standards are maintained on plant

Other responsibilities:

  • Ensure correct stock control of any raw materials used on plant
  • Ensure control of emergency equipment and PPE in the area
  • Ensure correct control of any waste streams and assist in the management of the controlled waste zone

Due to Health and Safety requirements for shift working, all apprentices must be 18 years of age by April 2025 when they leave their studies at IPS continue their apprenticeships on site.

Where you'll work

Damhead Creek Power Station,
Kingsnorth,
Hoo,
Rochester,
ME3 9TX

Training

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

Training provider

IPS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

Training course

Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Select, check, and use electrical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment. Select, check, and use control and instrumentation maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Use electrical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques. Use control and instrumentation diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Inspect and test control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check calibration and make adjustments.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Check loop function.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Set up and adjust control and instrumentation systems.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Remove and replace instruments and sensors.
  • Electrical and control and instrumentation. Re-connect instrumentation power supply, cables, pipework, and services.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Confirm safe electrical isolation lockout tagout method has been applied and test for dead.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct and confirm electrical and connected services isolation and deisolation.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Select, check, and use electrical and mechanical maintenance tools, measurement, and test equipment.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Use electrical and mechanical diagnostic equipment and apply fault finding and rectification techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply problem solving and critical reasoning techniques.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Inspect and test electrical aspects of plant. For example, visual checks, insulation and continuity checks, thermographic surveys, and voltage levels.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace electrical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Prepare and terminate electrical cables.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust electrical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Clean parts. For example, removal of dust and debris.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Conduct functional testing.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Check condition and operation of mechanical aspects of plant and equipment. For example, pumps.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Remove and replace mechanical parts.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Examine mechanical parts for defects. For example, pump seals.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Set up, align, and adjust mechanical aspects of plant.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Lubricate mechanical assemblies.
  • Electrical and mechanical. Apply bench fitting techniques.
  • Review and use information. For example, work instructions, drawings, design specifications, and plant configurations.
  • Use planning, prioritising, organising, and time management techniques to plan tasks.
  • Identify and organise resources to complete tasks. For example, consumables.
  • Respond and adapt to work demands. For example, adapt working methods to reflect changes in working environment, re-prioritise workloads to react to breakdowns and fault scenarios.
  • Identify equipment to work on. Check plant configuration is as defined.
  • Prepare the work area for maintenance tasks.
  • Identify environmental and health and safety hazards and risks and apply control measures.
  • Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance. For example, signage and barriers, working at height, confined spaces, and COSHH.
  • Follow security procedures. For example, site access, document classification, and securing assets.
  • Follow emergency incident and response procedures.
  • Apply sustainability principles. For example, minimising waste.
  • Segregate items for reuse, recycling, and waste.
  • Use mathematical principles and formulae to support engineering maintenance.
  • Apply engineering maintenance standards and procedures.
  • Apply foreign material exclusion procedures.
  • Follow maintenance tools and equipment control procedures. For example, handling and storage.
  • Reinstate the work area.
  • Apply team working principles.
  • Communicate with others to give and receive information. For example, colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
  • Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
  • Record information.
  • Produce or amend documents. For example, handover notes and reports.
  • Identify and highlight issues (red pen), with technical drawings.
  • Use digital and information technology. For example, databases, data sharing platforms, email, management information systems, and word processing. Follow cyber security and GDPR requirements.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques to identify improvement suggestions.
  • Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.

Training schedule

During this 52-month programme, you will undertake off the job training at IPS and specific on the job training on site provided by experienced engineering team members. You will also be supported by a dedicated mentor from VPI and assessor from IPS who will guide and support you throughout your apprenticeship.  You will undertake the Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship – dual discipline (Electrical and Mechanical), including an end-point assessment.

More training information

What we can offer you:

  • Competitive apprenticeship salary
  • Exceptional training and development programme
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • A Flexible programme that is employer led with bespoke training modules
  • Exceptional reward and recognition events
  • Additional Training and Development Plans – see details below

The role will occasionally involve some working at height, work within in confined spaces, and work with PPE required when working with chemicals.  Specific training will be provided for these aspects of the role.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English, Maths and Science subjects plus 2 others (grade Grade 5 or above)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

None specific (grade Grade C or above)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness
  • Enthusiastic
  • Punctual

Other requirements

Apprentice Employment Agency is a Flexi-Job Apprentice Agency & we will employ you for the duration of the apprenticeship. The company named in this vacancy is a Host Employer. Your application will be shared with them and training providers. You must hold unrestricted right to live and work in the UK to apply for this role.

About this employer

An apprenticeship with VPI is a great opportunity to put both theory & practical learning into practise. We are one of the largest energy producers in the UK with five operational Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) sites totalling a fleet capacity of 3,119 megawatts. This is an apprenticeship where you will have the opportunity to make a tangible difference. Not only will you learn valuable skills as you start out on your career, but you will also be doing so in one of our CCGT sites that provides invaluable power and stability to the national grid.

After this apprenticeship

This is a 52-month apprenticeship with the potential for further employment opportunities for the right candidate.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

IPS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012178.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 25 March 2026