Join Our Team: Apprentice Waterways Operative - West Midlands, Wolverhampton.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Our apprenticeship programmes help preserve essential skills and develop tomorrow’s experts. We welcome new talent with fresh ideas and in return offer real responsibility, structured learning, and long‑term progression.
This programme is designed to develop you into a well-rounded, multiskilled colleague who understands the operational, environmental, and heritage considerations of working along the UK’s waterways.
Working Hours & Location
This role follows an annualized (1931 hours per annum) hours system, including 5 days out of 7 (could be weekends and statutory holidays). You’ll be based at our Minerva Wharf, Wolverhampton, WV1 3DT depot and travel across the West Midlands region, with occasional support in other areas.
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Role Overview
As a Trust apprentice, you will be the public face of the Trust, working closely with volunteers and the public. Your work will include a mix of hands-on maintenance such as lock keeping, vegetation management and minor repairs alongside community-led improvement projects. You will help to manage teams of volunteers to support the important work we do.
Key Responsibilities
Carry out outdoor maintenance and repair of canal infrastructure
Operate locks, bridges, and other waterway assets safely and efficiently
Improve towpaths and waterside areas, including repairs, litter and environmental waste removal
Attend and support events to promote the Trust and recruit new volunteers.
Liaising with community groups to support volunteer groups under the guidance of the volunteer leader.
Undertaking work in a productive and efficient manner delivering the work to the correct standard and agreed programme.
Demonstrate and promote the Trust’s values, ensuring inclusion and diversity are embedded in daily practice.
Training & Development
You don’t need any prior experience, we’ll teach you. What matters is you have a genuine interest in practical, hands-on work. You enjoy solving problems and feel comfortable working outside in all weathers.
You need to have a driving licence; this is mandatory due to the breadth of our network.
Training & Development
You will work towards the Level 3 Water Environment Worker apprenticeship standard with one of our expert training providers. You may be expected to stay away from home to attend training - all training related travel costs are paid for by the Trust. Whilst on-the-job, you will work with supportive colleagues to get the best out of your apprenticeship experience
The Canal & River Trust is committed to supporting apprentices to become experts in their field, offering structured development pathways and long-term career prospects.
Apprentice story: Aaron joined us as a Water Environment Apprentice and has been with us as a Volunteering Leader since and loves everything about working at the Trust – he has more recently started a Stepping into Management apprenticeship and is looking to take the next step in his career. See more here: Aaron's Story
Our apprentices complete a Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship. Details of the apprenticeship can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/water-environment-worker-v1-0
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
We offer a starting annual salary of £22,095. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.
Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits
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