About the mainlaying team

You will join one of our mainlaying teams responsible for renewing and replacing the 40,000km of water mains and sewer pipes within the Wessex Water region.

As one of our repair and maintenance mainlaying apprentices you will help to maintain our water supply and sewerage networks.

During your apprenticeship you will learn a variety of mainlaying techniques and methods as well as becoming experienced in operating machinery and using manual tools.

Using the very latest ‘no-dig’ technology to reduce the waste to landfill, you’ll be responsible for replacing old water pipes to meet our commitment to reduce leakage and improve water quality.

This is a hands-on role requiring you to work outdoors in all types of weather.

You will carry out both planned and reactive work and will learn how to complete jobs in the most effective way.

What will you be doing?

  • Construct new mains pipes using both excavation and ‘no-dig’ methods.
  • Install stops taps, fire hydrants and sluice valves on clean water pipes.
  • Install drains sewers, flow control devices and storage tanks for wastewater networks.
  • Learn about mechanical coupling or heat fusing to join pipes together.
  • Work safely to modern highway standards.
  • Use trace and locating equipment.

Where will you work?

As every day is different your location will also be different, but you will be within 90 minutes of home and will work in one of our local teams.

What do we look for?

  • Willingness to learn.
  • Good computer literacy.
  • Ability to work in a small team.
  • Enjoy working outdoors.
  • An interest in engineering or construction.
  • Ability to talk with customers politely.

Further information

Duration

Two years

Qualifications

  • Water Network Operative Apprenticeship
  • SHEA card
  • Water Hygiene card
  • Street works

Training provision

Bridgwater & Taunton College:

  • Block release – two weeks every two months
  • Residential
  • Classroom and practical
  • On site assessor visits

Apply for this role