Trainee Technician

Envar; West Malling; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance with GP24 access

Employee Assistance Programme

Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Company Events

Gymflex salary sacrifice

Job summary

Blaise Biogas, located in West Malling, Kent, is seeking a Technical Trainee to help operate and monitor its anaerobic digestion plant. The role supports safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation while undergoing a structured development programme.

Responsibilities include inspections, monitoring, and basic maintenance under supervision, with progression to greater responsibility as competence grows. Applicants should have a strong interest in engineering and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in engineering, renewable energy, or process operations.
• Willingness to learn and undertake structured training.
• Practical, hands-on approach.
• Good numeracy and literacy.
• Able to follow procedures and technical instructions.
• Safety-conscious attitude.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Good communication skills.
• Comfortable working independently and in a team.
• Willingness to work outdoors and in an industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with day-to-day operation of the AD plant and equipment.
• Carry out routine inspections, checks and process monitoring.
• Monitor pumps, mixers, conveyors, tanks, valves, and gas/feed systems.
• Record plant readings and operational information.
• Support start-up, shutdown, cleaning and preventative maintenance.
• Assist with basic mechanical maintenance and fault finding under supervision.
• Maintain good housekeeping across operational areas, workshops and stores.
• Take increasing responsibility for monitoring plant performance as competence develops.

Skills

Engineering interest

Willing to learn

Hands-on approach

Numeracy

Follow procedures

Safety conscious

Punctual reliability

Communication skills

Team player

Outdoor work

Education

GCSEs including Maths

English GCSE

Science/technical subject

Engineering qualification

Tools

Job description

Job Title: Technical Trainee

Location: Blaise Biogas, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4PN

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Working Hours / Pattern: 7am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

About Us:

Blaise Biogas are an anaerobic digestion plant, creating energy from waste. Taking food waste and turning it into digestate, whilst using the gas it produces to inject back to the grid and power homes.

About the role:

Blaise Biogas are looking for a Technical Trainee to support the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant while completing a structured programme of practical and technical development.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the AD plant and associated equipment.
• Carry out routine inspections, operational checks and process monitoring.
• Monitor pumps, mixers, conveyors, tanks, valves, gas and feed systems.
• Assist with feedstock reception, handling and feeding.
• Record plant readings and operational information accurately.
• Identify and report abnormal conditions, defects, leaks, hazards, spills and unsafe conditions.
• Support plant start-up, shutdown, cleaning and preventative maintenance.
• Assist with basic mechanical maintenance and fault finding under supervision.
• Maintain good housekeeping across operational areas, workshops and stores.
• Take increasing responsibility for monitoring plant performance as competence develops.

Knowledge & Development:

Develop an understanding of:

• Anaerobic digestion, feedstock preparation and process stability.
• Biogas production, CHP engines and/or biomethane upgrading systems.
• Digestate handling and storage.
• Pumps, motors, gearboxes, valves and instrumentation.
• Plant control, monitoring, maintenance and fault diagnosis.
• Health, Safety & Training
• Follow health, safety, environmental, PPE and safe working procedures.
• Understand risk assessments, isolation/Lock Out Tag Out procedures and AD operational hazards.
• Participate in inductions, toolbox talks and safety training.
• Complete structured training covering AD processes, plant equipment, inspections, maintenance, environmental compliance, emergencies and supervised plant operation.
• Complete competency assessment and sign-off.
• Development may be supported by a relevant apprenticeship or technical qualification.

About you:

Essentials:

• Strong interest in engineering, renewable energy, process operations or practical technical work.
• Willingness to learn and undertake structured training.
• Practical, hands‑on approach.
• Good basic numeracy and literacy.
• Able to follow procedures and technical instructions.
• Safety-conscious attitude.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Good communication skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work outdoors and in an operational industrial environment.

Desirable:

• GCSEs or equivalent including Maths, English and a science/technical subject.
• Engineering or technical college qualification.
• Previous experience in agriculture, waste management, manufacturing, utilities, engineering or renewable energy.
• Basic mechanical or electrical knowledge.
• Experience using hand tools.
• Driving licence.

Benefits:

• Life Insurance with access to GP24
• Commitment to wellbeing through Employee Assistance Programme
• Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme for eligible employees
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company Events
• Gymfllex salary sacrifice

Overseas candidates will NOT be considered for this role. We are not sponsoring Visa's at this time, so please refrain from applying unless eligible to work in the UK.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of: Trainee Technician, Trainee Technical Engineer, Technical Trainee, Technical Operations, Trainee Operations Technician may also be considered for this role.