Apprentice Construction Operative

SevernTrentLife; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in Shrewsbury is seeking an Apprentice Construction Operative to engage in the construction and maintenance of water network infrastructure. This role offers practical experience across various teams, focusing on safety and compliance while interacting with customers. Ideal candidates are proactive, adaptable, and possess strong communication skills, with a passion for making a difference in the community. Join a supportive environment aiming for career development while promoting environmental care.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme (up to £1,500)

Leading pension scheme

Dedicated training and development

Family friendly policies

Two paid volunteering days per year

Qualifications

• Willing to take accountability for decisions and actions.
• Ability to adapt to fast-paced working environments.
• Must have a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Construct, maintain and repair water network infrastructure.
• Liaising with customers face-to-face on-site.
• Performing risk assessments and ensuring Health & Safety compliance.

Skills

Can-do attitude

Excellent communication skills

Ability to prioritize tasks

Collaboration skills

Curiosity to learn

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths

Job description

Apprentice Construction Operative

LET’S CUT STRAIGHT TO IT

At Severn Trent, we believe everyone deserves more. More care for the environment, more sustainable initiatives, and more support for the communities we serve. That's why we're on a mission to deliver bigger and better things, and we need passionate apprentices like you to help us achieve our goals.

Our people and culture are the heart of our success. We're proud to be in the top 5% of utility companies worldwide for employee engagement and ranked as a Top 50 UK Employer on Glassdoor. With nearly 10,000 dedicated colleagues, we're looking for more brilliant people who are eager to turn challenges into opportunities for a better future.

If you're excited to learn, and ready to make a real impact, we want you on our team.

LET’S TELL YOU MORE

Apprenticeship Programmes are a great way to earn and learn! Our Apprentice Construction Operative Programme offers the perfect blend of personal and professional development, exposing you to the core of our business.

You’ll be supported every step of the way. Your role will be to gain practical experience in a few teams developing your knowledge and understanding of Severn Trent and the processes.

All of this will allow you to further develop your skills so you can communicate data effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders. Furthermore, you'll spend time alongside our connection operative team

We welcome all apprentices from diverse backgrounds, as we know diverse minds bring new ideas and a different way of thinking. We are looking for someone who wants to build their career with us and grasp new opportunities, and in return we will support you with varied experiences, training and development to provide a grounding for your future career.

HOW WILL THE PROGRAMME WORK?

You will be based at Shelton in Shrewsbury, the heart of our patch. You will construct, maintain and repair water network infrastructure, to provide a reliable supply/service to domestic, commercial, and industrial users. Depending on the work required, you may spend the day at one site or work across a number of sites. Work locations may include new build sites, or domestic properties working outside in all weather conditions. You’ll be responsible for Liaising with customers face to face on site, completing work to the required standard, following procedures, and ensuring Health & Safety and regulatory compliance, for example with the Drinking Water Inspectorate, The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT) and Environment Agency etc; failure to do so could have serious consequences for self, public health, and the environment.

In this exciting programme, you will have the chance to discuss your development and career ambitions in your 1-1 meetings with business leads, mentors, a study buddy, the cohort leader, and the New Talent Team.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

You will expand your knowledge of;

• How to make sure site areas are set up, left in a safe condition, and ensure access to property is maintained, in line with regulatory, client, and customer requirements
• How to prepare for water network infrastructure work to meet clients'/customers' requirements and priorities for example, identify, obtain, and maintain plant, equipment, and materials
• How to safely risk assess sites and excavate a bitumen surfaced footway/ highway. To install clean water network infrastructure for example, new mains, water supply pipes, boundary boxes and meters
• Understand why and how to carry out water quality compliance checks to the regulatory standard

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We want our employees to care and to have a genuine passion for what we do as a business. We need people who want to make a difference in providing a vital service to our customers, now and for the long-term.

If you have the passion to succeed that we see in our apprentices every day, you’ll be a great match for our programme. We’d love you to be someone with:

• A ‘can do’ attitude – willing to get stuck in, take accountability for decisions and actions and who takes pride in their work
• Have the ability to start work from home
• A love of variety in a role and ability to adapt to a dynamic, fast-paced way of working in all outside work environments
• Ability to quickly prioritise tasks and the initiative to dive head-first into problem solving.
• No two days are the same on the front line and not every day goes to plan, so you’ll need to be quick on your feet to respond!
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills and enjoy working with multiple teams
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and effectively communicate this to different team members and audiences
• Ability to travel freely across our patch to visit different sites and travel to meetings and training days
• Curiosity to learn quickly in a reactive and dynamic working environment
• Ability to work in all weather conditions to serve our customers and protect the environment

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Our New Talent Team will guide you and support you every step of the way. Furthermore, your line manager, mentor and apprentice buddy will be there to help you in making sure you reach your full potential here at Severn Trent.

Location:

Shelton, Shrewsbury, SY3 8BJ

Standard:

Water Network Operative

Link to Standard:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeship-standards/st0898-v1-2

Apprenticeship Level:

2

Apprenticeship Duration:

21 months (excluding EPA)

Starting Salary:

£22,500

Entry Criteria:

This Apprenticeship Programme is a Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE A-C or Grades 4-9). If you don't already have GCSEs in English and maths, you will need to take functional skills as part of the apprenticeship, which is an alternative to GCSEs and achieve a Level 1 while continuing to work to a Level 2. This will need to be achieved prior to completion of your apprenticeship. Please confirm you agree.

Driving Requirements:

You need a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle upon starting this role

HOW WE’LL REWARD AND CARE FOR YOU IN RETURN

It’s not just a job you’ll get here, you’ll get a career too. We have a range of benefits that reward and recognise great work and award-winning training to ensure you reach your potential. And we’ll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the community in which we live.

With that in mind, here are just some of our favourite perks that you’ll get being part of the Seven Trent family:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/ sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £1,500, which is subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Share save – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Retail Offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year

As if that isn’t enough, you’ll receive an annual salary increase whilst you’re on programme and you’ll also get an increase when you move into your first job.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Severn Trent we are passionate about our people. We want to make sure that we continue to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and cohesive culture that represents the communities and customers we serve. We’re making sure we keep up the progress with our wonderful working groups – LGBTQ+, Women in Operations & STEM, Disability and Ethnicity, who help us with our commitments. Find out more about our commitments to Diversity and Inclusion at Severn Trent.

LET’S GO

Apply now to build an amazing career and be part of a brilliant team. We can’t wait to hear from you.

• Roles close on 16th March at Midday (12pm)
• Check your diary – face to face assessments will run from through April and May 2026
• Estimated start date- September 2026

To find out more about working with us, search #LifeatSevernTrent on social media.

In accordance with Home Office guidance successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. We have assessed this programme and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; the successful candidate must be able therefore to demonstrate right to work without Severn Trent sponsorship.