Energy and utilities is about the essentials: making and moving electricity, running nuclear sites, and getting clean water to homes and taking wastewater away. Apprentices learn to keep that infrastructure working, and much of it runs 24 hours a day.
Who we’ve researched
- SSE runs entry-level, higher and degree apprenticeships in power networks and renewables, and says most entry-level roles don’t need any qualifications.
- EDF trains engineering maintenance technicians for its nuclear power stations over four years.
- Sellafield Ltd runs apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree level at its nuclear site in Cumbria.
- Severn Trent and Scottish Water train people for water and wastewater careers, from Level 2 to degree level.
Things to know
- Location matters. Power stations, nuclear sites and treatment works are in fixed places, so check how you’d get to yours.
- Pay is often good. Several employers publish pay well above the apprentice minimum.
- Safety comes first. Expect training and checks, especially at nuclear sites.
Types of work and careers
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Power networks and renewables
Building and maintaining the cables, substations and wind and hydro sites that move electricity around.
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Nuclear
Running, maintaining and cleaning up nuclear sites, with a strong focus on safety.
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Water and wastewater
Treating drinking water and wastewater, and looking after the pipe networks in between.
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Maintenance engineering
Keeping electrical and mechanical equipment working, from pumps to turbines.
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Science
Testing water quality and supporting safe operations in labs.
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Business and projects
Project management, finance, data and the teams that keep big organisations running.
Compare Energy and utilities apprenticeships
A quick side-by-side of what each employer publishes. Pick a level to see what each employer offers at that level, and open a profile for the full details and sources.
All employers
| Employer | Levels | Length | Pay | Entry requirements | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 4 years (engineering maintenance) | Not published | Not published | Power station sites, including Hartlepool, Leiston, Dunbar and Morecambe | |
| Scottish Water | 1–4 years (Modern); up to 5 years (Graduate) | £25,312–£27,161 | Not published | Across Scotland | |
| Sellafield Ltd | Not published | Not published | Not published | West Cumbria, with offices in Warrington and Risley | |
| Severn Trent | 12 months to 6 years, depending on level | £24,455 | No experience needed; assessed on skills and strengths | Sites across the Midlands | |
| SSE | 3–4 years | £14,894–£24,580 | No set grades (entry level); Highers or A levels (higher and degree) | Sites across the UK and Ireland |
Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 1 programme Hinkley Point C apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sellafield Ltd | 1 programme Apprenticeship schemes | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Severn Trent | 1 programme Level 2 apprenticeships | 12–18 months | £24,455 | No experience needed; assessed on skills and strengths |
Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 1 programme Hinkley Point C apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sellafield Ltd | 1 programme Apprenticeship schemes | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Severn Trent | 1 programme Level 3 apprenticeships | 18–24 months | £24,455 | No experience needed; assessed on skills and strengths |
Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4–5)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 1 programme Hinkley Point C apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sellafield Ltd | 1 programme Apprenticeship schemes | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Severn Trent | 1 programme Level 4 and 5 apprenticeships | 3–4 years | £24,455 | No experience needed; assessed on skills and strengths |
| SSE | 1 programme Higher and degree apprenticeships | 3–4 years | £24,580 | No set grades (entry level); Highers or A levels (higher and degree) |
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6–7)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDF | 1 programme Hinkley Point C apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Scottish Water | 1 programme Graduate Apprenticeships | Up to 5 years | £27,161 | Not published |
| Sellafield Ltd | 1 programme Apprenticeship schemes | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Severn Trent | 1 programme Level 6 degree apprenticeships | 3–6 years | £24,455 | No experience needed; assessed on skills and strengths |
| SSE | 1 programme Higher and degree apprenticeships | 3–4 years | £24,580 | No set grades (entry level); Highers or A levels (higher and degree) |
Key figures
- Severn Trent apprentice base salary, reviewed every 12 months
- £24,455
- Source: Severn Trent (opens in a new tab)
- Scottish Water Modern Apprenticeship starting salary
- £25,312
- Source: Scottish Water (opens in a new tab)
Summary
- Energy and utilities apprenticeships range from hands-on maintenance to degree-level engineering.
- Several employers don't ask for specific grades: SSE's entry-level apprenticeships are strengths-based.
- Pay is often well above the minimum, from £14,894 at SSE to £25,312 at Scottish Water.
- Jobs are tied to sites like power stations and treatment works, so check where you'd be based.
Employers we profile in this industry
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EDF
The energy company that runs nuclear power stations in Britain and is building Hinkley Point C. Its four-year Engineering Maintenance Technician apprenticeship starts with two years at the National College for Nuclear.
Industry: Energy and utilities -
Scottish Water
Scotland's public water company. Modern Apprenticeships start from £25,312 and last one to four years, and Graduate Apprenticeships start from £27,161 with a degree from a Scottish university.
Industry: Energy and utilities -
Sellafield Ltd
The company cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria. It runs apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree level and was named England's second highest-ranked apprenticeship employer in 2026.
Industry: Energy and utilities -
Severn Trent
The water company serving the Midlands. Its apprenticeships run from Level 2 to Level 6, start on £24,455 with a pay rise every year, and come with 25 days' holiday and a bonus of up to £1,500.
Industry: Energy and utilities -
SSE
The energy company behind electricity networks and renewable power across the UK and Ireland. Entry-level apprentices earn £14,894 and higher or degree apprentices £24,580, and most apprenticeships take three to four years.
Industry: Energy and utilities
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.