Highways maintenance apprenticeship
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Stoke-On-Trent (ST1 6QN)
Closes in 5 days (Sunday 16 August 2026)
Posted on 3 August 2026
Contents
Summary
Looking for a career that is hands-on, rewarding and makes a real difference to your community? Stoke-on-Trent City Council is recruiting Highway Maintenance Apprentices to maintain the city's roads, footways and drainage systems, keeping Stoke-on-Trent moving safely.
- Wage
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£15,392 to £24,454.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Apprentices who are over the age of 21 will receive the National Living Wage in the 2nd year of their apprenticeship.
- Training course
- Highways maintenance skilled operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
The initial Level 2 highways apprenticeship lasts around 18 months; however apprentices will be offered a 3 year, fixed-term contract. Apprentices will work and train Monday to Friday; 37 hours per week.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 28 September 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
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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
As an apprentice you will:
- Repair potholes and road defects
- Assist with gully emptying and drainage maintenance
- Learn to use specialist tools and equipment
- Help set up safe work sites
- Support a variety of highway maintenance activities
- Attend a college or training centre on a regular basis and complete apprenticeship assignments
Where you'll work
Weighbridge Site
Cromer Road
Stoke-On-Trent
ST1 6QN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TELFORD COLLEGE
Training course
Highways maintenance skilled operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply appropriate health, safety and environment procedures when working on the road
- Plan and undertake work practice productively when carrying out repairs to potholes, pavements and kerbs, and laying new surfaces on rural and urban roads
- Read, interpret and work to drawings, specifications and highways information Highways information will include details on the use of safety barriers, cones, traffic flow and safety zones to work within, whilst employed on the highway
- Use underground cable locators to identify buried water, gas, sewer lines or other utility services, and once identified excavate by hand around the line to stop any damage and disruption to services
- Apply safe working practise for moving, storing, lifting and handling of resources
- Excavation and reinstatement of the highway by carrying out maintenance and repairs, including removal of material within the road or road side using hand or power tools and reinstatement of the area using concrete, screeds, sub-base, aggregates or bituminous materials
- Install Street Ironworks (drain access covers and frames and gully gates situated on the road) to given work instructions
- Prepare and operate powered tools or pedestrian plant, machinery or equipment for use on roads. This will include machinery for generator™s, pumps, pedestrian operated plant (e.g. pushed roller), mixers, compressors and self“powered tools (pneumatic drill)
- Prepare, set up and work within temporary traffic management (using cones and barriers to section off elements of the road from vehicles and pedestrians) on urban and rural roads, whilst excavating and re-instating the highway
- Work with other sub-contractors on larger schemes (e.g. traffic management)
Training schedule
This role offers hands-on on-site training in highway
maintenance and reactive repairs, including pothole repairs, footpath maintenance, and drainage works.
You will work alongside experienced professionals, gaining practical skills while working towards a recognised Level 2 Highways Maintenance qualification with a college or training provider.
More training information
Apprentices are required to attend college/training centre on a regular basis. They are expected to complete apprenticeship assignments on time. Some apprentices are also expected to study for Functional Skills in literacy and/or numeracy if there is no exemption from this requirement.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Team working
- Able to plan simple tasks
- Hands-on/practically-minded
- Good time keeping
- Willingness to work outdoors
- Willingness to learn
Other requirements
The apprenticeship is subject to the council’s medical adviser giving medical clearance.
About this employer
Stoke-on-Trent City Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this – we therefore encourage applications from all sections of our community. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed together.
https://www.stoke.gov.uk (opens in new tab)
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
While there is no guarantee of employment after the end of the fixed-term contract, many apprentices do take up temporary or permanent jobs with the council.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Steve Lovatt (Head of Highways)
Steve.Lovatt@stoke.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046010.
Apply now
Closes in 5 days (Sunday 16 August 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.