Riverside Energy from Waste apprenticeship
Level 3 - Maintenance Operations and Maintenance Technician Location: Belvedere - Duration: 4 years - Starting salary: £18,500
About the apprenticeship
You will study towards a Level 3 apprenticeship, delivered by our preferred training provider, IPS, following the Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician standard. The duration of the apprenticeship is four years.
You'll ultimately be aligned to our Maintenance or Operations workstreams, supporting the team in the function of either: Electrical; Controls and Instrumentation; Mechanical or Operations by:
Learning the energy from waste process including the combustion process, boiler chemistry, water-steam cycle, turbine and pollution control equipment;
Learning how to contribute to a positive Health, Safety and Environmental culture;
Learning how to carry out routine inspections, safety checks and corrective maintenance;
Learning how to carry out fault finding and problem solving of systems and their equipment;
Learning how to safely operate plant, equipment and machinery;
Supporting maintenance and operation colleagues during breakdowns;
Learning about Stores and the importance of keeping them maintained and up to date;
Learning how to complete and submit quality reports to document the condition of assets and assist in the continual improvement of the facility.
The Apprenticeship Journey
Here's what to expect over your four-year apprenticeship.
Year One
The first year of your apprenticeship is delivered through day release to our training provider, IPS, who are based in Rochester (in Kent).
Training is delivered in four-week training blocks relevant to your role at Riverside. Cory will pay your travel expenses to travel to Rochester.
Between the four-week blocks, you will return to Riverside to put your training into practice, working alongside your colleagues. You may also go to see other parts of the business or engage in general training with the Apprenticeships Manager.
You'll earn a great starting salary of £18,500 in the first year.
During the first year, you'll be studying towards a BTEC qualification.
Year Two
In the second year of your apprenticeship, you'll be based at Riverside four days a week to continue your practical training on the job. On the other day, you will go to IPS to continue your studies.
We'll assign you to either the Mechanical, Electrical, Controls & Instrumentation or Operations teams, basing this on your performance at IPS and on-site in the first year. While we can't guarantee which are you'll be aligned to, we'll also consider your preference.
Your studies will continue as you begin an NVQ. Here, you'll make detailed notes about the work tasks you complete and build a portfolio of work. An assessor from IPS will visit you on site monthly to review your progress.
You will be formally reviewed by your Cory managers every three months to ensure you're on track for success.
Years Three and Four
You'll continue to work at Riverside, and you'll be getting increasingly challenging tasks to complete. Plus, you'll be able to complete some of the tasks on-site independently.
As you complete your NVQ, it's time to move on to your final studies - a Higher National Certificate (HNC), a Level 4 qualification.
You'll return to IPS in Rochester to study for your HNC, typically one day per week during term time. At the end of the apprenticeship, you'll complete your end point assessment.
After the apprenticeship
There's no guarantee of a permanent position with Cory after your apprenticeship, but if you show the right attitudes to learning and progress well then we hope to make you permanent when you complete your apprenticeship if a position is available.
We don't forget about you at the end of the apprenticeship either - our Apprentice Manager will continue to meet with you for the first 12 months after graduation to make sure you're continuing to develop and integrate into the business.
Meet the Apprentices
Don't just take our word for it.
Here's what our apprentices love about working for Cory.
I went to university and got my degree but couldn't get a job afterwards. I've learnt more practical skills on my apprenticeship than I did in three years of university study.
Because I had a degree when I started, I have been able to study for a Masters in my third and fourth year with the University of Greenwich, fully funded by Cory.
PaviMechanical Engineering Apprentice (2022 intake)
It's a great opportunity that opens many doors for you. You meet people that help you and guide you along the right path for success.
It's the best decision I have made for my career.
GeorgeOperations Apprentice (2021 intake)
Salary and package
An apprenticeship is a great alternative to studying at university. You'll be paid a competitive salary from your first day with the company, which we review each year.
Starting Salary: £18,500
A competitive benefits package including company pension
Entry Criteria
You must have the following qualifications, or expect to obtain these qualifications:
Mathematics - GCSE Grade 4 or higher
English Language - GCSE Grade 4 or higher
Science - GCSE Grade 4 or higher.
Please note if you sat your exams outside of the UK, you would need to provide a Statement of Comparability for Eligibility reasons when you attend the assessment centre. More information is available here. It is important to note that this is an entry-level apprenticeship position with strict academic entry requirements. If you hold a Bachelors or Masters degree then unfortunately, we will be unable to consider your application.
Other information
This apprenticeship will begin in late August 2025, subject to IPS term dates.
You must be able to travel to IPS in Rochester, so it may help (but not essential) if you have a car and a full driving licence.
