Apprentice Network Operative - Folkestone
Closing date 11th April 2026
We usually respond within two weeks
Affinity Water is offering a fantastic career opportunity to join our skilled frontline teams as an Apprentice Network Operative.
Whether you're leaving school or college, looking to upskill in your career, or seeking a complete career change. Affinity Water will give you the help and support you need to succeed.
As an apprentice you'll join a recognised water industry training programme, carefully tailored to your development and delivered by leading industry experts.
You’ll be working in a real team alongside people with years of solid experience, who will give you day-to-day support and mentorship, helping you to learn the tools and techniques you need to build a rewarding career in the water industry.
About our Network Operatives
Our Network Operatives are responsible for the repair and maintenance of our water distribution networks. Helping to ensure we provide high quality drinking water to our customers. They are responsible for providing a wide range of essential repair and maintenance work, including the laying of new mains and connections as required, ensuring there is minimal disruption to our customer’s water supply.
This is a varied, field-based role, with travel to different areas to support and deliver on planned and emergency works. The role will include working with construction equipment such as mini diggers and vibrating equipment, operating street works, excavation and reinstatement in the highway and a range of other highly skilled activities.
About the Programme
As an Apprentice Network Operative, you will work with Affinity Water and our approved training provider to meet the key responsibilities of your programme and the wider duties of your role. This is an exciting chance to kickstart your career and we will support you every step of the way through a range of activities and real-world opportunities.
These include:
Attending workshops, virtual learning sessions and coaching sessions as planned
Completing a variety of learning activities, assignments and exams
Taking part in additional ‘off the job’ learning activities to support your growth
Receiving regular progress reviews with your manager and training provider
Undertaking an end-point-assessment at the end of your apprenticeship to confirm your achievement
Sharing feedback and helping to shape our future careers schemes
Accessing additional eLearning and self-driven learning offerings for further growth
Receiving mentorship from experienced industry teams
Shadowing all aspects of our network operations and getting involved as you progress
Developing knowledge of our vital water networks
Working across a variety of locations
Developing first-class customer service skills and learning what it takes to be at the front line of an essential public service
Working collaboratively with a variety of colleagues from across the Business
Working at both indoor and outdoor locations which involves working in a variety of weather conditions.
Requirements
Full UK Clean/Manual UK Driving Licence
3 GCSEs with a grade 4 (C) or above (Desirable)
Ability to perform manual handling activities safely and competently. Over time this role will build to include the use of a variety of construction equipment.
Able and willing to work with vibration equipment (for which you will be trained) within the 400 limits without health restrictions
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
Competent in use of IT applications
Keen interest in the environment and water industry
Ability to work independently and in a team
Willingness to help people and support local communities
Strong desire for career progression and passion for continual learning
Pay and Benefits
A starting salary of £20,827 with an additional flex allowance of £4,884
Salary reviews at key programme milestones with the potential to earn £36,639 when fully trained and qualified and having successfully achieved all targets
An additional standby allowance of £7,878 once all programme elements are completed and you are signed off to work as an independent Network Operative
Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring and a range of formal courses and open learning resources.
Entry into the company annual bonus scheme.
Annual leave from 23 days rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
A ‘Celebration Day’ in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria and opt in on the application form. Ask the Talent Acquisition lead for the full job description to see all the criteria. If we have a very high volume of applicants and we’re not able to offer interviews to all, we’ll take a fair and proportionate number of disabled candidates through.
Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.
You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site https://www.affinitywatercareers.co.uk/ where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.
- Department
- Apprenticeships
- Locations
- Folkestone
- Remote status
- Hybrid
- Yearly salary
- £25,711
- Employment type
- Full-time
