Engineering Apprentice Technician

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

Job summary

A leading energy company in the UK is offering an Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. This structured three-year program combines academic learning, technical training, and practical skills development in operations and maintenance for power generation. Apprentices will split their time between training and on-site experience at one of the company's power stations, culminating in valuable industry qualifications. Successful applicants will receive comprehensive support, including accommodation and travel allowances, fostering their growth in the energy sector.

Benefits

Cycle to Work scheme

Holiday buy back

Vehicle leasing under FLEX programme

Attractive pension scheme

Health screening

Qualifications

• Have or be predicted to have a BTEC Diploma in Engineering or 2 A Levels.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Interest in the energy industry and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Spend 90% of Year 1 with an apprenticeship training provider, learning core skills.
• Apply skills on-site during Years 2 and 3 while receiving training.
• Work in operations and maintenance teams in power stations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

BTEC Diploma in Engineering or 2 A Levels

5 GCSEs including English & Mathematics

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
• Environmental
• Team Leading
• 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
• IOSH Managing Safely
• 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

Our energy for a sustainable life

RWE has reliably supplied people and companies with electricity for more than 120 years. The way we generate power is changing fundamentally, and RWE is driving this change. RWE is committed to be carbon‑neutral by 2040, and to generating electricity in a clean, safe and affordable way.

RWE in the UK

Since the closure of its last coal‑fired power station in the UK in March 2020 (Aberthaw), RWE has continued to provide firm, flexible thermal gas‑fired generation with around 7GW of modern and efficient operational capacity, including at the state‑of‑the‑art Kings Lynn CCGT.

RWE is considering decarbonisation options for its operational power stations, including carbon capture technology. In addition, we are investigating Green Hydrogen plants to support industrial decarbonisation.

The company also owns and operates 21 hydro sites across the UK and a highly efficient biomass CHP plant in Markinch, Scotland.

Essential Information

Business: RWE Generation UK

Location: One of our UK‑wide power stations. While we consider your current location, relocation may be required.

Working Hours: Full‑time

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)