Maintenance Apprenticeship: London Transfer Stations
Level 3 - Maintenance Operations and Maintenance Technician Location: Northumberland Wharf (Tower Hamlets) - Duration: 3 years - Starting salary: £19,000
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.
To ensure a wide range of experience, the successful candidate will need to travel to other Cory Transfer Stations - typically Walbrook Wharf in Central London and our Transfer Station in Barking, which is currently under construction to open in 2026.
Typical duties:
Learning the Transfer Station and Material Recycling Facility processes and how they play an important role in the energy from waste process
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 equipment
Learning how to safely operate plant, equipment and machinery
Supporting Maintenance and Operations colleagues during breakdowns
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 our Transfer Stations. Cory will pay your travel expenses to travel to Rochester.
Between the four-week blocks, you will return to Northumberland Wharf Transfer Station 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 £19,000 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 the Transfer Station for four days each week to continue your practical training on the job. On the other day each week, you will go to IPS to continue your studies. 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.
Year Three
You'll continue to work at the Transfer Station, 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 optionaly 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, which includes an exam, professional discussion and observation in the workplace by a trained assessor.
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.
What I've enjoyed most about this apprenticeship is meeting new people and how welcoming everyone was with me when I first started, which gave me a real boost in confidence.
Dennis-JamesEngineering Apprentice (2023 intake)
Cory offers the training that will help me learn and progress in my role. There are plenty of progression opportunities and I can gain the knowledge and skills to become a mechanical fitter.
JordanEngineering 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: £19,000
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 is desirable
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 September 2025, depending on IPS's 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 full driving licence.
This role may involve travel to other Cory sites, e.g. other London Transfer Stations, to assist with support and projects as necessary. You will also need to travel to the college in Canning Town for day-release training.
