Mechanical Technician Apprentice

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is offering a Mechanical Technician Apprentice position in the Engineering & Maintenance Team within the Department of Estates & Facilities Management. This structured training programme combines on-the-job learning with formal study to achieve an NVQ Level 3, starting October 2026 for a duration of 3 years.

You will conduct planned and reactive mechanical maintenance across the University estate, report to the Operations Manager, and develop skills to progress a

Qualifications

• Demonstrate effective two-way communication skills to engage with a wide variety of customers and colleagues in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate an understanding of health and safety with the ability to identify potential hazards and risks.
• Ability to follow and work to a schedule and/or instructions and apply a methodical, logical and practical approach to tasks.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive Mechanical maintenance safely and efficiently across the University estate ensuring procedures are followed correctly under supervision.
• Work in compliance with the University’s policies, procedures, current technical legislation and health and safety standards.
• Attend relevant training and complete assignments as part of the apprenticeship programme along with off the job training elements
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Skills

Two-way communication

Teamwork

Health and safety awareness

Manual handling

Flexible/adaptable

Education

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Department of Estates and Facilities Management (EFM) is responsible for maintaining the University buildings, facilities, and outdoor spaces.

We are seeking an initiative-taking committed individual to join our Engineering & Maintenance Team within the Department of Estates & Facilities Management as a Mechanical Technician Apprentice.

This role is a structured training programme combining practical on the job training with formal learning in an educational setting and offers the opportunity to develop skills to progress on the engineering and maintenance career path. As an Apprentice you will undertake learning and development activities leading to an accredited NVQ level 3.

Reporting to Operations Manager you will undertake planned and reactive mechanical maintenance tasks across the University estate to support key University activities, and you will play a pivotal role in maintaining the high-quality infrastructure necessary to support world-class teaching, research, and the overall student experience.

The ability to quickly build and maintain excellent working relationships and to work effectively on your own initiative as well as being a team member is essential. The University is a fast-paced and changeable environment, so you will need to be able to adopt a flexible approach and be self‑motivated to provide quality services to a wide range of customers.

Planned maintenance will form a large majority of daily activity ensuring that the University complies with statutory requirements, ensuring it is a safe place for all our customers. Most of the work is of a physical nature requiring manual handling and working at heights to undertake a range of tasks to adjust, install and/or repair fixture and fittings.

Knowledge of Health and Safety guidelines would be advantageous, however full training will be given through the apprenticeship and on‑the‑job training.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive Mechanical maintenance safely and efficiently across the University estate ensuring procedures are followed correctly under supervision.
• Work in compliance with the University’s policies, procedures, current technical legislation and health and safety standards.
• As directed by the appropriate supervisor, prioritise jobs in order of urgency using relevant knowledge, skills, experience and expertise taking into consideration deadlines, health and safety requirements, resource availability, service standards and customer needs under supervisors’ direction make informed decisions on the work methods to be used and the sequence of actions whilst minimising disruption and maintaining access and security.
• Carry out periodic testing and inspection of equipment and building installations identifying and recording details for future rectification.
• Liaise with and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders ensuring they are informed of work being undertaken and kept up to date with progress.
• Maintain provided tools, equipment and/or vehicles, taking responsibility for the safe keeping of these. Complete regular checks on vehicles to maintain good condition.
• Respond to requests for assistance at the University outside normal working hours in accordance with the departments’ call‑out procedures, supporting where appropriate once competent, age compliant & adhere to Apprentice working times and durations.
• Respond to general queries from our customers (staff, students, visitors) in relevant work area and/or signpost queries.
• Attend relevant training and complete assignments as part of the apprenticeship programme along with off the job training elements
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

GCSE Grade A-C 9/4 in Maths, English or ability to pass functional skills tests in these subjects during the selection process for applicants without these qualifications.

Essential

Application/interview

A commitment to completing the apprenticeship programme and engaging in all on and off the job training and development activities.

Essential

Interview

This post will be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy and the postholder must meet the eligibility criteria outlined by the Government.

Essential

Application

Demonstrate effective two-way communication skills to engage with a wide variety of customers and colleagues in a professional manner.

Essential

Interview

Ability to work effectively as part of a team and be supportive of colleagues in addition to being able to work on own initiative, planning and prioritising tasks where necessary.

Essential

Application/interview

Demonstrate an understanding of health and safety with the ability to identify potential hazards and risks.

Desirable

Application/interview

Demonstrate a positive and flexible approach and ability to adapt well to change.

Essential

Interview

Commitment to providing high standards of customer service.

Essential

Interview

Ability to follow and work to a schedule and/or instructions and apply a methodical. logical and practical approach to tasks.

Essential

Interview

Full valid UK driving license.

Desirable

Application

Further Information

Grade

Apprentice

Salary

Work arrangement

Full-time – with college studies.

Duration

October 2026, for a duration of 3-years.

Line manager

Operations Manager

Direct reports

None

Right to work in the UK

This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points‑based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://dxp-uk-search.funnelback.squiz.cloud/s/redirect?collection=uos~sp-meta&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheffield.ac.uk%2Fefm%2Fengineering-maintenance&auth=H%2FPyE5V9DxTolG2UYAk4HA&profile=_default&rank=1&query=engineering+and+maintenance

For informal enquiries about this job contact Mark Sanderson: on [e-mail] or on 0114 222 9014

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

A standard with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 30/09/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.