Canal & River Trust
Apprentice Engineering Technician
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Join Our Team: Engineering Technician Apprentice
Start date: October 2026
Typical duration: 36 months
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
As part of our commitment to the long-term maintenance and restoration of the waterways, we are looking to recruit an Apprentice Engineering Technician. Working for the Canal & River Trust, you can take pride in knowing that you are really making a difference each and every day. By joining us, you’ll be caring for your environment as well as your community, helping make life better by water for everyone. Every day.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. You’ll be based at our Leighton Buzzard depot and travel across the East Midlands region, with occasional support in other areas.
Role Overview
As a Civil Engineering Apprentice, you'll combine practical workplace experience with formal training, developing the skills and knowledge needed to support the maintenance and improvement of the Trust's historic waterways.
Working alongside experienced engineers, you'll gain hands-on experience through site visits, inspections, project work and placements, while building expertise in civil engineering, asset management and infrastructure projects. No two days are the same, with opportunities to work across our network and contribute to projects that help keep our canals open and alive.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities
- Complete all apprenticeship training and coursework, working towards successful achievement of the qualification.
- Develop knowledge and practical skills in civil engineering, asset management and waterway infrastructure.
- Support engineers with inspections, surveys and assessments of canals, locks, bridges and other assets.
- Assist with the collection and maintenance of engineering data to support maintenance and investment decisions.
- Gain experience in engineering design, project delivery and asset management through placements, site visits and project work.
- Follow health, safety and environmental procedures at all times, both on site and in the office.
- Build positive working relationships with colleagues, contractors and other stakeholders.
- Take ownership of personal development, seeking feedback and continuously developing technical knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrate the Trust's values and behaviours, contributing positively to the team and wider organisation.
Training & Development
You will work towards the Level 4 Civil Engineering Senior Technician Apprenticeship with one of our expert training providers. Whilst on-the-job, you will work with supportive colleagues to get the best out of your apprenticeship experience.
The Canal & River Trust is committed to supporting apprentices to become experts in their field, offering structured development pathways and long-term career prospects.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
About You
You don’t need any prior experience - we’ll teach you everything you need. What matters is you have a genuine interest in practical, hands-on work. You love to understand how things work and have a passion for all things mechanical and electrical.
You enjoy solving problems and feel comfortable working outside in all weathers.
Ideally, you have grade A-C or grade 9-4 in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) already achieved or on track.
Apprentice story: Eunilzo
Eunilzo was always fascinated by a career in engineering and has a passion for nature and the outdoors which led him to the Mechanical & Engineering Apprenticeship at the Trust. He’s soon coming to the end of his apprenticeship and is moving into a M&E Technician role. See more here: Eunilzo's Story
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer a starting annual salary of £22,095. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1
#INDLP
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location