Do you have an aptitude for practical problem solving and a real interest in engineering maintenance and how things work?

We have an exciting opportunity for you to take part in an Apprenticeship programme at the University of Kent, within our Maintenance team. The Apprenticeship standard aligned to this post is the Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician, incorporating the Environmental Technologies pathway, a copy of which is attached along with an overview of Apprenticeships at Kent.

As an apprentice, based in a mechanical workshop, you will learn about the installation and maintenance of plumbing, heating systems and components. You will work alongside colleagues who are experts in their field to install/maintain and commission:

Domestic hot water, central heating and sanitation systems
General plumbing and heating systems including gas boiler, water and central heating appliances
Sanitation systems and laying of underground drainage pipes
Solar thermal hot water systems, heat pumps and renewable energies
Under supervision you will assist colleagues with reactive maintenance work and planned preventative maintenance (PPM) work across the University’s estates to ensure compliance with statutory legislation, regulatory requirements and Service Level Statements, aiming to build understanding, knowledge and practical experience in the trade.

As part of the apprenticeship you will spend one day per week at College and your college trainer will visit you on site at Canterbury every 10-12 weeks. You will also have the opportunity for Block release secondments (approx. one month placements) to other companies each year to increase your knowledge and skillset.

To be successful in this role you will have/be:

GCSE in English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above or equivalent qualification
A genuine interest in and commitment to a career in plumbing and engineering
A willingness to undertake the Apprenticeship (up to 4 years in duration) and complete the End Point Assessment as required
Good communication skills
General basic IT skills
Able to competently follow written and verbal instructions
What you can expect from us:

A friendly, open and collaborative working environment
Support in your development and wellbeing
43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
An excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
On-campus cinema/theatre, sports facilities, library, nursery and food outlets, set among green, open space overlooking the Cathedral
Study while you work discounts, cycle to work scheme, local business discounts
On site permit parking
Important Information: If you already hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level (level 3 or above) as this apprenticeship in a similar subject (plumbing/domestic Heating/engineering) you're not eligible to apply. Also, if you're currently receiving Government funding to undertake a qualification at a Higher Education or Further Education institution, this must be completed before September 2022 in order for you to be eligible to apply.

For this position the starting salary is £18,916 per annum. Subject to review and achievement of targets and learning outcomes, salary will increase three times by 5%, to align with the starting salary of the role Grade.

Please ensure you take your time to carefully and fully complete your application, including the application questions, as your progression to the next stage will depend on the quality of your application.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for more information about the role and the essential criteria we are looking for. Also attached for information is a copy of the Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician standard.

If you require further information regarding the application process, please contact us at iscsestates@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number EST-104-22.