Higher Engineering Apprentice

This is a great opportunity to be a part of the Engineering discipline teams that help Thames Water achieve its Asset Management Planning (AMP8) ambitions to 2030 and beyond. Apprentices will learn on the job and with targeted training courses with direction and support from senior engineering personnel.

Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.

Start date: 1st September 2025.

Base Location: Clearwater Court, Vastern Rd, Reading RG1 8DB or Maple Lodge WD3 9SQ or TW12 2ES.

Working hours: 36 hours Monday- Friday.

Programme Length: 60 Months.

Training provider details: University Centre Newbury (UCN), Newbury College.

Qualification you will obtain: By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have achieved a Level 6 Apprenticeship Standard in Product Design Development in Engineering. Qualification included in the standard: HNC/HND & BSc (Hons) or BEng (Hons) in Engineering.

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSE grade C or above and 3 A Levels, Grade C or above (or predicted grades) to include Technology or an Engineering related subject. Please note that if you already have an Engineering degree you will not be eligible for this apprenticeship.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your grades yet, if you are due to sit your exams this year, we still want to hear  if your predicted grades meet our requirements.

Other immediate demands:  A full UK driving licence is desirable but not essential.

Application Process:

Step one: Click apply and you will be asked to complete a short online application where we ask basic information about yourself, your current qualifications/ predicted grades and why you want to apply for this apprenticeship.  (we do not ask for CVs at this stage).

Step two: You will be sent a short online assessment please make sure you are in a quiet environment and have given yourself enough time to complete it.

Step three: You will be sent a link to book o telephone call with a member of our Resourcing Team this is a chance for us to get to know you better and where we will check if you are eligible for the apprenticeship.

Step 4: If you are successful in our screening process you will be invited to an in-person assessment which will include a group exercise and a competency-based interview.

Assessment Centre Dates– Assessments will be held in April and you will be invited
for a morning or afternoon session.

If you need additional support at any stage of the application process then please let us know by contacting  EarlyCareers@thameswater.co.uk.

What you’ll be doing as a Higher Engineering Apprentice
Joining our engineering team, you will be part of the electrical or mechanical discipline teams that help Thames Water achieve its Asset Management Planning (AMP8) ambitions to 2030 and beyond. Apprentices will learn on the job and with targeted training courses with direction and support from senior engineering personnel.
You will be:

• Building the understanding of the engineering / environmental aspects of plant design and delivery, working on risk identification, investigation and mitigation.
• Understanding engineering design and building capability to provide engineering input to projects.
• Leading continuous improvement activity in the team.
• Focusing on the Electrical or Mechanical Engineering design discipline the role will provide the expertise needed to:
• Get the right technical requirements with the Project Definition Briefs
• Ensure and deliver Engineering Regulatory compliance on relevant Assets in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering.
• Contributing to design sign-off and providing input to technical assurance activities during the delivery, commissioning, and handover of assets.

About the Apprenticeship programme

• You’ll undergo a formal Level 6 apprenticeship in engineering through workplace learning. You’ll study for a degree in engineering by day release at Newbury College.
• You will have achieved a Level 6 Apprenticeship Standard in Product Design Development in Engineering. Qualification included in the standard: HNC/HND & BSc (Hons) or BEng (Hons) in Engineering.
• You’ll get hands-on experience 4 days a week and spend 1 day at Newbury College a week gaining the theoretical background to your degree.

What you should bring to the role  

• Have a real drive and motivation to manage your learning and working life.
• Be a logical thinker and have a passion for technology and finding out how things work.
• Be focused, well organised, have excellent time management skills and have the dedication to succeed.
• Have great teamwork skills but also be able to work independently, putting customers at the heart of everything you do.
• Communicate effectively and be able to challenge when a problem arises.
• Be a champion for Health & Safety within the workplace for both you and your colleagues, helping us maintain our great reputation.
• Be ready to apply everything you learn in your day-to-day role and any projects outside of this.

Why become an Apprentice at Thames Water?

We are offering training, qualifications, real-life experience and the opportunity to "Earn while you learn” on top of

• Competitive starting salary of £21,500 per annum.
• Annual Leave: 24 days holiday increasing to 28 days with length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• GymPass: a free fitness plan and access to severawell-beingng apps for you and up to three family members.
• Cycle to work scheme: always on and up to 3,000 save money, get fit and help protect the environment.
• Personal medical assessment): open to all, carried out in the workplace by fully trained medical professionals.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

The real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support you.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.