Engineering Apprentice Technician

RWE AG; Cowes; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is offering an Engineering Technician Apprenticeship located in Cowes, UK. This three-year programme combines academic learning, technical training, and practical skills development, leading to various prestigious qualifications in engineering. Participants will gain comprehensive experience in operations and maintenance within the power generation sector. The successful candidates will enjoy competitive salaries and a wide range of benefits, while having the chance to develop a career in a global energy business.

Benefits

Volunteering days

Cycle to Work scheme

Holiday buy back

Vehicle leasing

Pension scheme

Health screening

Qualifications

• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• A willingness to learn and develop.
• Ability to collaborate well with others.

Responsibilities

• Support operations and maintenance teams at power stations.
• Learn skills in electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation engineering.
• Complete an HNC in engineering during the apprenticeship.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

BTEC Diploma in Engineering or 2 A Levels (one in science, mathematics or engineering)

5 GCSEs including English & mathematics at grade C or 4

Job description

RWE Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

The RWE Engineering Technician Apprenticeship programme offers a valuable opportunity to enter the world of engineering technology, earn while learning, and train to become an Operations & Maintenance Technician (O&M) for today and tomorrow.

Key Responsibilities

O&M technicians play a crucial role in our low‑carbon power generation business. During your programme, you will practice your skills by working in both the operations and maintenance teams on one of our CCGT power stations.

Working as part of the O&M maintenance team, you will put into practice learning in your core subject of

• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Control and Instrument Engineering

Along with many other skills, you learn along your journey.

All our core subjects ensure the RWE fleet remains at the forefront with high levels of availability, providing the UK with a secure supply of energy. This availability comes through our diligent maintenance and outage programmes.

In addition to applying your skills in the maintenance team, you will spend time developing your knowledge on shift in Power Station Operations, learning the skill sets needed to develop you towards the role of an O&M Technician. These include day‑to‑day operations, efficiency, chemistry and commercial, all key elements of the ever‑changing flexible power generation world we live in.

Spread over three years, your development will include specialist technical and practical skills training in the following areas, alongside your specialist area of development.

• Electrical, mechanical and control and instrumentation.
• Behavioural
• Health & Safety
• Commercial

Our programme offers a structured combination of academic learning, technical training and practical skills development, supported by experienced engineers, technicians and training specialists.

Overview of the 3‑year programme

Year 1 – 90%

of time will be spent with our apprenticeship training provider, learning core skills and completing an HNC in engineering.

Year 2 & 3 – 70%

of time will be spent on your allocated site applying your new skills, whilst further enhancing your technical knowledge. The remaining time will be spent at an RWE training facility completing bespoke training courses in areas such as high‑pressure valve maintenance, electrical switchgear maintenance, pump maintenance and many more skills.

Whilst away from home location, RWE will provide accommodation, travel and food allowance, ensuring reliable pastoral support throughout.

On completion of your three‑year programme, you will have earned the following:

• Higher National Certificate in Operations Engineering – General Engineering (HNC), not Operations
• Completing the Engineering Operations course will grant you a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
• EAL L4 Diploma in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (Skill Development)

Upon completion of your training and with these skills, you will be well‑equipped to apply for and become one of our Operations & Maintenance Technicians of the future.

What we offer our people

• Opportunity to learn life skills away from the classroom environment. Learning a valuable set of skills to help you become the most proficient version of you, these include teamwork working problem-solving solving and communication.
• We offer all our staff 2 volunteering days a year. Have you ever wanted to support someone or a group, but never had the time with RWE? You can have that time.
• We offer a benefits programme to include the Cycle to Work scheme, Holiday buy back, Vehicle leasing under our FLEX programme, as well as an attractive pension scheme.
• Health screening supported by the Private healthcare scheme from AXA Healthcare.
• All our team members have opportunities to network across the RWE business, be it in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany or further afield.
• Opportunity to develop into roles across the RWE power generation business around the world.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

We would like our apprentices to have an outstanding analytical and problem‑solving mindset, a willingness to learn and develop, whilst being collaborative.

Academically, to be considered for our programme, you are required to have or be predicted to have:

• BTEC Diploma in Engineering or 2 A Levels (one to be science, mathematics or engineering) or equivalent qualification + 5 GCSE’s (English & mathematics at grade C or 4) or equivalent qualifications. (please note you may apply pending exam results any offer would be subject to successful completion at the required level)
• Effective analytical and problem‑solving skills
• An interest in the energy industry and a commitment to learn and develop your engineering skills
• An individual who collaborates well and possesses good communication skills
• Versatile, motivated, efficient, committed individuals with a positive approach and the ability to take initiative and effectively manage their own workload

Business RWE Generation UK

Location: One of our UK‑wide power stations

While we consider your current location, relocation may be required.

Successful Applicants will need to be able to attend an assessment centre, Assessment Centre 14‑15th April (Birmingham)

Salary £28,717 year one rising to £35,950 in year three

Contract Type 36 months fixed term (Starting September 2026)