Level 6 Rainwater Management Apprentice

United Utilities; Warrington; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility company in Warrington is looking for an Apprentice for Rainwater Management. This apprenticeship offers valuable experience in environmental practices and collaboration on projects. You will develop essential skills in a supportive environment with a dedicated mentor and competitive salary starting at £21,000. Opportunities for career growth and hands-on experience in real-world projects await those passionate about environmental issues. Join us and contribute to a greener, healthier North West.

Benefits

26 days of leave

£500 contribution towards learning to drive

Guaranteed permanent position after apprenticeship

Qualifications

• Must be keen to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills.
• Open to new knowledge, with a willingness to learn about environmental issues.

Responsibilities

• Develop environmental knowledge and understanding.
• Collaborate within a team to manage and analyze datasets.
• Contribute to project delivery through reports and presentations.
• Support Technical Leads in designing rainwater management systems.

Skills

Team-working skills

Communication skills

Time-management

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Interest in environmental issues

Commitment to completing the Degree

Curiosity and Willingness to Learn

Positive Attitude and Resilience

Work Ethic and Reliability

Education

5 GCSEs including Maths, English, and a Science or Technology subject

Level 3 qualification with 112 UCAS points

Job description

Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and stronger North West? Come and join us! With a range of award‑winning roles on offer, you're sure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities. We'll provide you with industry‑leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Who are United Utilities?

United Utilities is accountable for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025‑2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years – that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier.

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, our award‑winning apprentice programme will give you first‑class training and support, aligned with an in‑depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve.

Working in the North West means there's a lot of ground to cover. You could have the opportunity to work in the heart of the Lake District, or you could sample a taste of city life. As well as our main office in Warrington we also recruit for a variety of roles based across the North West; we have 575 wastewater treatment works and 96 water treatment works in areas from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria.

Whichever scheme you join, you'll be at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry.

Life as a United Utilities Apprentice

Our apprentices are well looked after, with a generous salary, 26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits.

You'll have a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is that you're willing to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively.

Start living your future, today!

As an Apprentice for Rainwater Management, you will:

• Develop a high‑level knowledge and understanding of environmental legislation, environmental practices, technical principles, and the fundamentals of infrastructure design. Gain insight into how water companies interact with the natural environment, using analytical tools and building expertise in environmental modelling to support our multi‑million‑pound enhancement programme. Your work will help protect and improve the land, rivers, and seas across the North West.
• Collaborate within a team to manage and analyse large datasets, identifying opportunities that deliver maximum value for both customers and the environment.
• Contribute to project delivery by preparing reports and presentations and play an active role in creating sustainable rainwater solutions. You'll work alongside our specialist Rainwater Management team, developing skills in strategic planning, technical feasibility, project management, and delivery.
• Support Technical Leads in designing and implementing rainwater management systems and specialist drainage solutions. Gain hands‑on experience with real‑world water management projects, learning how we plan, monitor, and optimise rainwater systems to achieve environmental and operational goals.

A bit more about the role

Your apprenticeship will last 60 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a level 6 qualification endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships. This will be a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Practitioner) degree. There will also be technical (engineering) training delivered in house to support your degree studies.

Your training will be at your workplace and block release at the university. If you do not live near, accommodation will be reimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for someone keen to gain hands‑on experience, develop practical skills, and achieve the standards needed to succeed in this role.

• Great team‑working skills – demonstrate the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, valuing the contribution of others.
• Good communication skills – both verbal and written.
• Good time‑management – work towards deadlines and adapt to change when new priorities come in.
• Innovative/Creative problem solving – challenge traditional ways of working and find creative but practical solutions to overcome problems.
• Good analytical skills and numerate skills – be comfortable working with data, maps, spreadsheets, etc.
• Interest in environmental issues – a passion for overcoming environmental challenges with sustainable solutions and an eagerness to learn more about solving surface water challenges using rainwater management.
• Commitment to the completion of the Degree.
• Curiosity & Willingness to Learn – open to new knowledge, asks questions, and shows enthusiasm for developing technical skills.
• Positive Attitude & Resilience – approaches challenges with optimism, adapts to change, and doesn't give up easily.
• Strong Work Ethic & Reliability – punctual, dependable, and committed to completing tasks safely and on time.

You'll need to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A‑C or grades 9‑4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.
• Plus a Level 3 qualification (A‑levels, apprenticeship or BTEC etc) totalling 112 UCAS points.
• A driving licence will be advantageous but NOT mandatory.

Why choose us to kickstart your career?

• Secure your future – every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme*.
• As a springboard to your career – you'll receive structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high‑quality learning to help shape your career.
• Inspire the next generation – you'll have the chance to represent United Utilities at key events across the region, engaging with young people to bring careers in the water industry to life.
• Reward and benefits – there are lots of perks, including a starting salary of £21,000, which will increase each year based on performance.
• Be part of the UU family – you'll have the chance to network, bond, and learn from your colleagues and fellow apprentices.

*As long as you meet all necessary standards and behaviour criteria throughout the programme.

We need fantastic people to help us deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community, supporting our employees to achieve their full potential, and ensuring everyone feels valued and included, regardless of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

Additional Information

Please check and ensure that you are comfortable with the following points before you apply:

• It is essential that you live within a reasonable commuting distance of the core location of your apprenticeship.
• As part of your induction, you will attend a residential trip in the Lake District. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a beautiful setting with your fellow apprentices. Accommodation and boarding will be provided.
• During your apprenticeship, you may need to travel to your place of study (Keele University). If you're not local to your place of study, accommodation will be provided by United Utilities during this period (excluding weekends). Please consider travel requirements and staying away from home if applicable.

Depending on the role that you are applying for, our recruitment process may require you to complete:

• An online application form.
• Online tests.
• An in‑person interview (and presentation) or assessment centre.
• A technical test.

Important Notes

If you are offered a job with us, a number of pre‑employment checks will need to be carried out before your appointment can be confirmed. Any offer of employment with United Utilities will be subject to a satisfactory report from the Disclosure Scotland / the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please only apply for one apprenticeship role. Part of the assessment process will be to detail why you have applied for your selected apprenticeship vacancy.

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the apprenticeship.