Job Description
Come and join Thames Water as an Instrumentation Controls Automation Apprentice (ICA) to work across our Clean Water or Waste Water sites across the Thames Valley or London areas. This is a great opportunity to learn the essential skills that are already in high demand across the industry and will set you on the path to your future career. once you complete your apprenticeship, you will have a permanent job at Thames Water.
Our over-arching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.
Start date: 1st September 2025.
Base Location: Farmoor OX2 9NS, Camberley GU15 3YL, Bourne End SL8 5NT, Swindon SN2 2DJ, Maple Lodge WD3 9SQ, Crossness SE2 9AQ, Mogden TW7 7LW.
Working hours: 38 hours per week. (Start time 07:30 am when onsite. Hours will vary when attending training or college)
Programme Length: 36-42 Months.
Training provider details: Basingstoke College of Technology, Worting Rd, Basingstoke RG21 8TN.
Qualification you will obtain: You will complete the Level 3 Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard – ICA Pathway. Included in the programme, you will also complete the Level 3 City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering.
Entry Requirements: A minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4 or above (A) in Maths and English OR functional skills level 2 in Maths and English.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your grades yet, if you are due to sit your exams this year, we still want to hear from you if your predicted grades meet our requirements.
Other immediate demands: Due to the nature of the role, you will need to live a maximum of 30 30-minute journey from your base location. You will also need to be able to drive by the end of your second year to offboard into a permanent position following the apprenticeship.
Application Process:
Step one: Click apply, and you will be asked to complete a short online application where we ask for basic information about yourself, you will then need to upload your current qualifications/ predicted grades and finally let us know why you want to apply for this apprenticeship. (we do not ask for CVs at this stage)
Step two: You will be sent a short online assessment, please make sure you are in a quiet environment and have given yourself enough time to complete it.
Step three: You will be sent a link to book a telephone screening call with a member of our Resourcing Team this is an opportunity for us to get to know you better and ask you some questions.
Step 4: If you are successful in our screening process, you will be invited to an in-person assessment centre, which will include a group exercise and a competency-based interview.
Assessment Centre Dates– Assessments will be held in March, and if successful, you will be invited for a morning or afternoon session.
If you need additional support at any stage of the application process, then please let us know by contacting EarlyCareers@thameswater.co.uk.
What you’ll be doing as an Instrumentation Control and Automation Engineer (ICA)- Level 3
- You will be responsible for installing, modifying and commissioning new plant equipment to relevant standards and for diagnosing and repairing faults in systems and plants. Proactively identifying and reporting follow-up work or areas for enhancement and delivering cost-effective improvements to assets and systems.
- You will be required to carry out instrumentation, control and automation maintenance on a variety of water production assets, including planned maintenance and preventative and reactive maintenance. There will be a need to liaise with and supervise contractors and suppliers where necessary.
- You will conduct risk assessments and create appropriate method statements when required to safely carry out maintenance activities.
- You will also be fully trained to use Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems to make modifications to our processes to ensure that our sites perform at their very best.
- You will be working alongside an experienced technician for the duration of your programme. You will receive ongoing support from your dedicated mentor on-site, line manager and engagement partner, who will guide you and help develop your experience to excel in your career at Thames Water.
About the Apprenticeship programme
- You will complete the Level 3 Maintenance Operations Engineering Technician.
- Apprenticeship Standard – ICA Pathway. Included in the programme, you will also complete the Level 3 City & Guilds Diploma in Engineering.
- Your training will be provided by Basingstoke College,e and you will be expected to attend the campus in Basingstoke on a fortnightly basis, with the alternate week being virtual delivery, you may also be expected to attend college on block release. (We will support your attendance by paying for your accommodation and travel expenses in line with our travel guidelines and business expense policy)
- Hear from a current apprentice by clicking on the case study at the end of the page.
What you should bring to the role
- Have a real drive and motivation to manage your learning and working life.
- Be a logical thinker and have a passion for technology and finding out how things work.
- Be focused, well organised, have excellent time management skills and have the dedication to succeed.
- Have great teamwork skills but also be able to work independently, putting customers at the heart of everything you do.
- Communicate effectively and be able to challenge when a problem arises.
- Be a champion for Health & Safety within the workplace for both you and your colleagues, helping us maintain our great reputation.
- Be ready to apply everything you learn in your day-to-day role and any projects outside of this.
Why become an Apprentice at Thames Water?
We are offering training, qualifications, real-life experience and the opportunity to "Earn while you learn” on top of.
- Competitive starting salary of £21,500 per annum.
- Annual Leave: 24 days of holiday increasing to 28 days with length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
- Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
- Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
- GymPass: a free fitness plan and access to several well-being apps for you and up to three family members.
- Cycle to work scheme: always on and up to 3k, save money, get fit and help protect the environment.
- Personal medical assessments (MOTs): open to all, carried out in the workplace by fully trained medical professionals.
- Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.
Who are we?
We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job,b and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values
Working at Thames Water
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.
So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
The real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.
Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. We aim to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support you.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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