M&E Apprentice

Canal & River Trust; Leeds; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading waterway conservation organization is seeking a Mechanical & Electrical Technician Apprentice to join their team in the UK. This apprenticeship provides an opportunity to develop skills in practical, hands-on mechanical and electrical work while supporting the maintenance of waterways. Candidates should have a genuine interest in the mechanical field and a willingness to learn. The starting annual salary is £22,095, along with a competitive pension scheme and benefits package. Applications are encouraged early as the position may close once enough suitable candidates are received.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Increasing holiday entitlement

Employee benefits

Qualifications

• Genuine interest in mechanical and electrical work.
• Willing to learn with no prior experience necessary.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varied weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Follow Health & Safety policies and report incidents.
• Provide excellent customer service on site.
• Plan and prepare mechanical and electrical tasks.
• Identify and report defects to technicians.
• Promote inclusion and diversity within the Trust.

Skills

Practical hands-on work

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

Grade A–C or grade 9–4 in Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent)

Job description

Join Our Team: Mechanical & Electrical Technician Apprentice

Start date: September 2026

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open. Apprenticeship programmes play a key role in protecting traditional canal skills, supporting local employment and ensuring we continue the vital work of maintaining and restoring the waterways for future generations. This programme is designed to develop you into a well‑rounded multiskilled Mechanical & Electrical professional who understands the operational, environmental and heritage considerations of working along the UK’s waterways.

Hours & Location

This role follows an annualised hours system including 5 days out of 7 (which may include weekends and statutory holidays). You’ll be based at our Heck depot (Heck Maintenance Yard, Heck Lane, Great Heck, Goole, DN14 0BL) and will travel across the Yorkshire region with occasional support in other work alongside the local M&E team. Your duties will include reactive repairs, planned preventive maintenance, general works and project gain hands‑on experience across key items of floating plant and equipment – engines, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, electric circuits – helping to keep the waterway network operational and safe.

Responsibilities

• Follow the Trust’s Health & Safety policies and standards; report incidents, accidents and near misses, and assist with point‑of‑work risk assessments to ensure safe working.
• Provide excellent customer service when working outside on site, maintaining a professional and helpful approach with customers and colleagues.
• Plan and prepare mechanical and electrical tasks, including organisation of tools and equipment, and coordinate with the Workboat and Plant team to ensure all equipment, PPE and resources are appropriate and available for each inspection.
• Identify and report defects or issues to technicians or supervisors for logging within the Workboat and Plant team, and support key maintenance duties across the Trust’s fleet machinery.
• Promote inclusion and diversity across the Trust and challenge behaviours or decisions that conflict with the Trust’s values and behaviours.

Development

You will work towards the Level 3 Land‑Based Service Engineering 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. The apprenticeship includes residential block‑release training at a college in Cheshire, requiring you to stay away from home for approximately nine weeks each term. Canal & River Trust is committed to supporting apprentices to become experts in their field, offering structured development pathways and long‑term career prospects.

About You

You don’t need any prior experience – we will teach you everything you need. What matters is that you have a genuine interest in practical hands‑on work. You love to understand how things work, have a passion for all things mechanical and electrical, 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.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us. Encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

We Offer

• A starting annual salary of £22,095.
• A competitive pension scheme with increasing holiday entitlement and a range of employee benefits.
• For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here.