Apprentice – Building Services Engineer or Mechanical Engineer
Job Description
Apprentice - Building Services or Mechanical Engineer
Salary: National Minimum Wage for Age
48-Month Fixed Term Contract
37 Hours per Week
This apprenticeship would suit anyone looking for a career in building services engineering, whether you’re a school leaver, or looking for a career change.
The apprentice position is for 48 months and involves you learning the skills and gaining relevant experience to achieve the level 3 apprenticeship in Building Services Engineering as a Service & Maintenance Engineer. You’ll be provided with a wide variety of work experience opportunities to build your skills demonstrate proficiency in a range of office and site-based activities as required by the qualification.
You’ll be part of the small, friendly Technical Services Team which is part of Thurrock Council’s Assets, Repairs and Compliance service. You’ll be based at the Civic Offices, New Road, Grays which is close to Grays Town Centre with excellent public transport links.
The Technical Services Team supports all service areas and work on a wide variety of buildings related projects. This role requires you to provide support to the apprenticeship project which aims to build and deliver a first-class apprenticeship experience for apprentices at Thurrock Council. Throughout the 48 months, the apprentice will have dedicated mentors, who will support them during the apprenticeship.
The role will include both remote and office working from the Civic Offices.
Main responsibilities:
- To study relevant areas related to Building Services Engineering.
- To assist technical team members to develop new projects, including new energy initiatives.
- Support team members in the supervision for both maintenance and new installations schemes.
- To support Engineers in design of M&E installations and related services in domestic and commercial buildings.
- Assist Mechanical/Electrical Engineer team members in developing estimates and budgets for the Technical Services Manager and Surveying and Engineering Team Leader.
- Support team members in carrying out thorough site supervision of all related work in progress.
- To work in partnership with the Council’s appointed contractors, support programming and project support for delivery of all Housing Investment Programmes.
- The Electrical/Mechanical Engineers are required to be involved in projects from design concept through to construction/installation, testing and handover and well as developing specifications for new installations as well as maintenance programmes. The Apprentice will support the Engineers in completing these tasks where applicable.
- Any other duties required with the general level of responsibility of this post and assisting technical services team
- To maintain an appropriate system of managing, recording all technical information like servicing trackers and programme of works in relation to Building services element of assets
- Apprenticeships provide on-the-job-training – typically 4 days a week in work and 1 day a week in college. You'll earn while you learn, getting valuable workplace experience and studying for a nationally recognised qualification.
The successful applicant will be able to display the following:
- An interest in the construction industry from a design and management perspective
- Good organizational and planning skills and positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities
- Well-presented, Works effectively in a team and Ability to produce professionally formatted reports
- Good time management and Ability to work under your own initiative
- Organized, flexible and able to multitask to organize and priorities workloads to meet required targets and deadlines
- To be able to climb a ladder and to work in confined spaces
- IT literate with experience of using Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Ability to work under your own initiative.
Apprenticeship Course & Entry Requirements:
The Level 3 Building Services Engineering Service & Maintenance Engineer will require to identify any relevant entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, trainability tests, or other criteria.
All 16–18-year-olds will need to have GCSE grades 4-9 for English & Math to be accepted onto the apprenticeship, if they do not have the required GCSE then they will sit an assessment to see if they are suitable for the apprenticeship. If they pass, then functional skills will be run alongside the course at no extra cost to the employer
19+ will be required to sit the assessments for both Math & English if they do not already hold them with grades of A-C or (4-9) or above. If they pass the assessment, they are eligible for the apprenticeship
In both cases if a 2nd attempt is required on the assessment and the candidate does not pass, then they will be unable to enrol onto the apprenticeship
Apprenticeship study will be undertaken within normal working hours. Time will be allocated to attend training and complete assignments, workbooks, online training etc. as required by the qualification.
Training will mainly take place at Choice Training Ltd, Seareach House, Wantz Road, Dagenham, Essex RM10 8PS, but you may be asked to attend an alternative facility from time to time.
In return for your commitment, we offer:
- Excellent training and career development opportunities
- Valuable work experience
- Apprentice Personal Development Programme
- Staff benefits package
- NUS Apprentice Extra Discount Card
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 25 days
- Employee Assistance Programme
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be paid the National Minimum Wage for your age.
Advert Closing Date- Redeployment Only: 17th July 2025
- Internal & External: 3rd August 2025
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council