Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and stronger North West? Come and join us! With a range of award-winning roles on offer, you’re sure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities. We’ll provide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field. 

Who are United Utilities?

United Utilities is accountable for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years - that's more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier. 

Whatever area of our business your interests lie in, our award winning apprentice programme will give you first-class training and support, aligned with an in-depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve.  

Working in the North West means there's a lot of ground to cover. You could have the opportunity to work in the heart of the Lake District, or you could sample a taste of city life. As well as our main office in Warrington we also recruit for a variety of roles based across the North West; we have 575 wastewater treatment works and 96 water treatment works in areas from Crewe in Cheshire to Carlisle in Cumbria.? 

Whichever scheme you join, you’ll be at the heart of bringing innovation and positive change to the water industry. Ready to flow into your future with us? 

Life as a United Utilities Apprentice 

Our apprentices are well looked after, with a generous salary, 26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits. 

You’ll have a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is that you’re willing to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively. 

Start living your future, today! 

As a Level 3 Apprentice Commissioning Engineer, you’ll learn how to: 

• successfully commission and start-up water, waste, bio-resource and networks projects 
• gain knowledge of commissioning planning and preparation of comprehensive commissioning plans 
• observe senior Engineers in the commissioning of electrical, mechanical, and control systems, planning of and conducting of tests and inspections to ensure systems and components function according to commissioning requirements 
• troubleshoot and resolve installation and commissioning issues 
• understand the importance of maintaining accurate records of commissioning activities and results, and how to prepare and submit detailed reports on testing and commissioning outcomes 
• ensure compliance with industry standards and project requirements 

A bit more about the role 

Your apprenticeship will last 48 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 3 Water industry asset maintenance technician standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships. 

During your first year, you’ll spend 3 days per week over a 8-month duration during term time at the Bolton Technical Training Centre.  If you do not live near, accommodation will be reimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.  

You will need to be mobile in this role and so you will need a driving licence by the time that your apprenticeship begins.  We’ll contribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests to help to get you on the road which you can claim back* when you start your apprenticeship. 

What we’re looking for:  
We’re looking for an enthusiastic learner who is keen to develop practical skills and achieve the qualifications needed to succeed as a commissioning engineer.  

A Commissioning Engineer’s role is to ensure that all components of a project are installed, tested and functioning as intended according to design specification and UU requirements so you’ll need to be willing to learn, be able to work as part of a team and have the ability to manage time and workload to get things done. 

You’ll learn about testing, installation, and commissioning of equipment and systems. This role provides hands-on experience and training in preparing, configuring, and validating technical systems to ensure they meet operational requirements. You’ll learn all this under the direct supervision of senior commissioning engineers and participate in on-site commissioning activities. 

You’ll need to have: 

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must include Maths, English and a Science or Technology subject.? 

• You will need a full UK driving licence by the time that your apprenticeship begins. 

Why choose us to kickstart your career?