Engineering Maintenance Technician Level 4 Apprentice - Norwich , Norwich, United Kingdom)

Review: Apprentice Lead Engineer – A Pathway to a Vital Career in Networks

Are you ready to kickstart a hands-on, impactful engineering career while earning valuable qualifications? The Apprentice Lead Engineer – Maintenance Technician (Field Based Role) with BT's Networks Business Unit offers an outstanding opportunity to do just that. Based in Norwich, this full-time, paid apprenticeship is designed for individuals who thrive on practical challenges and are passionate about powering the UK's critical infrastructure. With a start date of 8th September 2025, this role provides ample time to prepare for a significant career transition.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Earn While You Learn & Gain Advanced Qualifications: This is a fully paid apprenticeship, offering a competitive salary of £23,810 from the outset. You'll gain a Level 4 apprenticeship qualification, a significant achievement that opens doors to future career progression, all without incurring tuition fees. This three-year program dedicates 20% of your working hours to academic study, demonstrating a strong commitment to your professional development.
• Hands-On Experience with Cutting-Edge Technology: Move beyond the classroom and into the field. This role offers unparalleled practical experience maintaining and testing critical power and cooling systems for the UK's essential communication networks. You'll work on a wide array of hardware, from low and high voltage systems to generators and emergency lighting, gaining diverse technical skills.
• Impactful Work at the Heart of Connectivity: Your contribution will be vital. You'll play a key role in ensuring the UK's network runs 24/7, 365 days a year, supporting everything from 999 emergency calls and air traffic control to everyday connectivity for millions. This role places you at the forefront of technology, working on infrastructure that keeps the nation connected and secure.
• Structured Career Path & Mentorship: Benefit from comprehensive training provided by experienced engineers and a clear pathway to becoming a qualified maintenance field engineer. The support structure is designed to help you succeed, guiding you through real-world challenges and theoretical learning.
• Excellent Resources & Support: As a field-based role, a company van and all necessary tools are provided, ensuring you are fully equipped for your daily tasks. This removes common barriers to entry for practical roles and allows you to focus on learning and performing.
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: The employer actively encourages applications from a wide range of backgrounds, including women, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and ethnic minority candidates. They explicitly state a commitment to building an inclusive workplace and invite passionate individuals to apply even if they don't meet every single stated requirement, indicating a flexible and supportive recruitment process.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Field-Based & Travel Requirements: This is not a desk job. You will be travelling extensively in a company van to various sites, including exchange buildings, radio sites, rooftops, and outdoor locations. Candidates must be comfortable with a dynamic, often independent, working environment and physical tasks.
• Academic Prerequisites: To be eligible for the Level 4 apprenticeship, candidates must meet specific academic qualifications: two A-Levels with a minimum of CC grades, and five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C or above) including English and Maths, with Maths specifically requiring a B grade or higher. These are firm requirements for enrolment.
• Commitment to a Long-Term Program: This is a 3-year apprenticeship program. While rewarding, it requires significant commitment to both practical work and academic study. You will attend Stoke College on a block release basis, approximately 10 blocks per year (Monday lunchtime to Friday lunchtime), demanding strong time management and self-discipline.
• Location & Driving Licence: Candidates must reside within 45 minutes of Norwich (NR2 4AW) and possess a full manual driving licence prior to the start date. Given the field-based nature and provision of a company van, these are essential practical requirements.
• Genuine Interest in Practical Engineering: The ideal candidate will possess a natural curiosity for how things work, an enjoyment for taking things apart and putting them back together, and a passion for problem-solving. An interest in engineering, mechanics, electronics, or technology, and a preference for practical, real-world challenges over purely theoretical learning, will be crucial for success.

This Apprentice Lead Engineer role is more than just a job; it's a strategic launchpad for a rewarding career at the forefront of the UK's connectivity. If you are a practical, driven individual with a thirst for learning and a desire to make a tangible difference, this opportunity offers unparalleled training, support, and the chance to become an essential part of a critical national infrastructure. Take the first step towards powering the future of connectivity.