Facilities Engineering Apprentice

IPS International; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 17,000; Full time

Job description

Summary

The Facilities Engineering Apprentice will embark on a comprehensive learning journey designed to develop your skills and understanding of maintenance processes within Knauf. This role will provide support to the maintenance team, allowing you to gain hands-on experience and build technical competence in a structured and supportive environment.

Annual wage: £16,363 a year

Three paid days leave for community, charitable, or voluntary commitments. Income Protection Access to a Reward & Benefits platform.

Training course: Maintenance and operations engineering technician

Hours: Monday to Friday - 7.00am - 3.30pm

Start date: Monday 1 September 2025

Duration: 48 Months

Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Health and Safety Learning:

• Learn and adhere to company Health and Safety procedures, ensuring your safety and the safety of others
• Develop the ability to assess risks and implement safeguards, guided by relevant legislation, codes, procedures, and best practices

Reactive Maintenance Support:

• Assist the maintenance team in executing reactive maintenance tasks to address process interruptions or abnormalities
• Engage proactively with the shift operational team to understand plant performance objectives and support their achievement

Planned Maintenance Participation:

• Participate in planned preventative maintenance and improvement activities, supporting the work schedule
• Observe and learn the importance of maintaining high technical and professional standards

Process Knowledge Development:

• Focus on acquiring knowledge and technical expertise in designated manufacturing processes
• Contribute to standardisation, optimisation, improvement, and diagnostics initiatives by learning the processes of set-up, operation, and maintenance

Quality Assurance Learning:

• Gain insights into ensuring all work maintains high standards of quality and professionalism
• Learn how supervision helps uphold these standards when necessary

Activity Documentation:

• Learn to document all activities and observations accurately in the SAP CMMS, understanding how technical detail supports future analyses

Engineering Department Support:

• Actively support the engineering department's activities, gaining a better understanding of departmental responsibilities
• Offer assistance and learn to provide cover for colleagues as part of your development

Educational Development:

• Attend day release courses as required to further your education and training
• Keep up to date with all coursework, workbooks, and logs, ensuring successful completion of all stages of NVQ/HNC to a minimum of a merit level
• Continually check your progress against the training log book with your mentor, actively managing your learning journey

Mentorship and Collaboration:

• Manage your time effectively to accommodate regular visits from IPS representatives and communications with your mentor in the workplace
• Shadow and support colleagues within the engineering team to develop practical skills and gain real-world experience
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with members of the engineering team, fostering a collaborative environment

Compliance and Personal Development:

• Ensure that safety procedures are followed at all times for the safety of yourself and others, and comply with all company policies
• Take responsibility for your personal development, actively pursuing growth opportunities
• Attend and participate in the daily maintenance morning meeting to stay informed and engaged with team objectives

Where you’ll work

Knauf UK GmbH, Kemsley Fields Business Park, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8SR

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Your training plan:

Year 1 of the Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Standard, the learner will attend four days a week within IPS Rochester workshop completing practical skills (Performing Engineering Operations) and one day a week studying the Technical Certificate. In Year 2, the Apprentice moves to day-release and will attend IPS one day a week to continue the Technical Certificate. Starting in Year 2 and continuing until completion in Year 4. The Apprentice will continue to receive regular training contact with IPS all throughout the programme.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

• GCSE English, Maths and Science (Grade 5-9) essential

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Team working
• Independent
• Willing to learn
• Interest in Engineering
• Enjoys practical work

Other requirements

Enrolment onto your apprenticeship programme is subject to prior attainment checks, and your Personal Learning Record will be reviewed upon successful appointment. We are also obligated to follow the guidelines around eligibility, set out by the government apprenticeship funding rules. NB: Please include minimum qualifications (GCSE Maths and English grades) in your apprenticeship application. Tailor your application to the vacancy, dedicating 1-2 paragraphs for each question to demonstrate interest in the role and the company.