Apprentice Maintenance Technician

DRILCORP LTD

SEAHAM, Washington

Closes in 14 days (Friday 15 May 2026)

Posted on 28 April 2026

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Contents

Summary

Drilcorp offers hands-on experience with a highly experienced team on challenging projects across the UK. This apprenticeship combines practical work with structured training in mechanical and electrical systems, providing the perfect opportunity to build skills, gain qualifications, and start a long-term engineering career.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Engineering maintenance technician - dual discipline (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday - 8am - 4pm Friday - 8am - 12:30pm Please note, these hours are during your first year with Seta. They may change once you move into the workplace.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 14 September 2026

Duration

4 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

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Assist with the installation, maintenance and repair of borehole systems and associated equipment
  • Support fault-finding on mechanical and electrical systems
  • Work on pumps, pipework, compressors and drilling equipment
  • Assist with site inspections, servicing and refurbishment work
  • Learn to interpret technical drawings and specifications
  • Ensure all work is carried out safely and in line with company procedures
  • Maintain tools, equipment and a clean working environment
  • Work alongside experienced engineers on a variety of sites across the UK

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • KINLEY HILL FARM, HAWTHORN, SEAHAM, SR7 8SW
  • 17 Sedling Road, Wear Industrial Estate, Washington, NE38 9BZ

Training

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

Training provider

SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION 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

Your first year will be spent at Seta in Washington.

Your second year will be spent 4 days in the workplace with Drilcorp and 1 day with Seta on day release.

Your final 2 years will be spent full time with the employer, with regular reviews with a Seta apprenticeship manager and your employer.

More training information

You will undertake a structured apprenticeship programme leading to a recognised qualification.

Foundation training will cover:

  • Mechanical maintenance
  • Electrical maintenance
  • Fluid power systems
  • Electrical installation
  • Introduction to PLCs

You will receive ongoing on-the-job training with experienced engineers. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

4 subjects, including Maths and English (grade 4-9)

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
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Positive attitude
  • Willingness to learn
  • Practical mindset

Other requirements

  • Willing and able to travel and stay away from home regularly - due to the nature of our work, this role will involve regular travel and working away from home across the UK
  • Interest or experience in mechanical or electrical work
  • Previous hands-on or practical experience (school, college, or hobbies) would be desirable but not essential

About this employer

Drilcorp has over 30 years’ experience delivering independent water supply boreholes to public and commercial sectors across the UK. We provide a complete service from feasibility and design through to construction, installation, testing, commissioning and licensing.

We also support existing borehole systems through refurbishment, maintenance, and business continuity planning, as well as operating across the ground source energy and geotechnical sectors. With a highly experienced team and specialist equipment, we work on a wide range of technically challenging projects throughout the UK and beyond.

https://www.drilcorp.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

It is expected that the successful candidate will progress into a fully qualified Maintenance Technician role upon completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUNDERLAND ENGINEERING TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

Gabriella Smith

gabriella.smith@seta.co.uk

0191 416 2860

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000028730.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 15 May 2026)

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