Craft Apprenticeships

Designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the installation and maintenance craft techniques required for many low-carbon energy solutions.

Overview

During our Craft Programme, you will study a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Craftsperson qualification, which will be delivered at college as a day release programme.

This apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to help us shape the UK’s Net Zero future.

You will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of the business through work placements across all departments, whilst learning and working alongside a team of Energy Centre Installation Operatives, Prefabrication teams, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Engineers and Heat Interface Unit (HIU) Commissioning Engineers.

From Heat Networks, Energy Centres and Plate Heat Exchangers, to HIUs and Metering & Billing Solutions, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the installation and maintenance craft techniques required for many low-carbon energy solutions.

Find out more about our Craft Programme, below.

Craft Apprenticeships - The Detail

In this section, you'll find all you need to know about our Craft Apprenticeships Programme. Just click on each of the questions to show the answers.

Reporting to the Department Manager/Supervisor for each of the business areas you will:

Learn pipework fabrication and jointing techniques for industrial and commercial systems, including prefabricated and/or modularised components and distribution systems.
Develop your welding skills on a wide range of materials working towards a Class 1 standard.
Carry out the installation of plumbing and heating systems including accurate measuring, marking, cutting, bending and jointing metallic and non-metallic pipework.
Understand and apply electro-fusion jointing techniques on our heat networks.
Assist with testing and commissioning activities on site.
Carry out planned energy centre and residential accommodation maintenance with our O&M teams.
Understand installation techniques for metering & billing solutions.
Understand H&S requirements and how to comply with safe working practices.

Once qualified, apprentices can choose to progress on to a Level 4 or Degree Apprenticeship in a specialist area. For example, Construction Site Supervisor, Building Services Engineering or Construction Management.

But it doesn’t stop there! At Vital Energi we also have various employee training programmes, as we are committed to helping you progress along your desired pathway in your early career journey.

This programme is a hands-on course which involves physical work based in construction environments. It could be out on construction sites, whatever the weather, and also working away from home. All travel and hotel costs are subsidised by Vital Energi.

In addition to your salary, you'll also be entitled to our employee benefits which include:

25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays; additional holidays awarded in line with length of service
Option to purchase/sell additional holidays
Employee Assistance Programme
Contributory Company Pension Scheme
Gym and wellbeing centre at Blackburn Head Office
Discounted gym membership across the UK
Vital Perks – a retail discount scheme

Award Winning Apprentices

Leah Hardaker

Leah is an Apprentice Mechanical Engineer within the Pre-Fabrication team, based on-site, working on various projects under the supervision of her site supervisor. Leah has been outstanding since she joined us and achieved the prestigious accolade of Apprentice of the Year at Salford City College.

Read our full interview with Leah here

Award-Winning Apprentices

Megan Bradley

Meg joined our Heat Pump Solutions Team as an apprentice and has since been fundamental in developing and implementing our cycle of continuous improvement. She recently won the Project Engineer category at the ACR & Heat Pumps 'Trainee of The Year’ Awards

Meg Reaches Final 3 At Trainee of the Year Awards