Water treatment workers ensure that water is clean and safe to use. They usually work for companies overseen by OFWAT. Their main job is operating water treatment systems, ensuring they work correctly. During their apprenticeship, they learn to test water samples and keep records to ensure effective treatment. They also check sites for safety and report any problems. In wastewater treatment, they focus on safely releasing water, while clean water treatment maintains quality and hygiene. They spend a lot of time at treatment plants, ensuring everything meets health and safety rules and environmental regulations, as not doing so could have serious consequences.
What you’ll learn
On a water process operative apprenticeship, you’ll:
- Learn about waste types like plastics, metals, glass, etc., and how they’re managed.
- Understand concepts like recycling, reuse, and waste hierarchy.
- Know about environmental protection rules and permits.
- Learn how pollution happens, its impacts, and control measures.
- Understand health and safety regulations and hazards in the workplace.
- Know company procedures for waste handling.
- Develop communication skills for both internal and external interactions.
- Learn about sustainability and the circular economy, including waste prevention and recycling.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- Depend on employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience
Assessment methods
The programme is assessed in various ways before completing the End Point Assessment, including observation and professional discussion.
Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion
- Duration: 18 months
-
Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Relevant school subjects: Science and geography
- Potential salary upon completion: £21,000 per annum
Apprenticeship standard
More information about the Level 2 Water Process Operative standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship end point assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.