Apprentice Industrial Computing & Electronics Technician (Trainee DCS Technician)

Summary

Hands‑on experience supporting real industrial control systems. Including learning to maintain, test and upgrade control hardware and software. This apprenticeship blends technical training with practical tasks in a specialist engineering environment. It provides a solid foundation for a rewarding career in automation and industrial systems.

Wage

£16,380 a year

Performance-related bonus scheme

Paid overtime opportunities

Training course

Maintenance and operations engineering technician (level 3)

Hours

Normal hours are: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

3 years 3 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Supporting our team of engineers in maintaining, troubleshooting and supporting industrial computer systems.
• Refurbishing and testing industrial control system parts and modules.
• Assisting with system upgrades and software installations on control equipment.
• Preparing and documenting maintenance reports carried out on equipment and systems.
• Helping to diagnose faults using specialist test rigs and diagnostic tools.
• Processing part orders and updating internal records.
• Supporting our team on a day-to-day basis in the running of the business.
• Attending customer sites alongside experienced engineers (some travel required).
• Participating in technical training sessions and shadowing senior team members.
• Keeping the workshop organised and maintaining tools and equipment.
• Assisting with stock control, booking in parts and managing inventory systems.

Where you'll work

UNIT 5
BUCKINGHAM SQUARE
HURRICANE WAY
WICKFORD
SS11 8YQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Training course

Maintenance and operations engineering technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Comply with industry health, safety and environmental working practices and regulations.
• Locate, and rectify faults on plant and equipment.
• Communicate with and provide information to stakeholders in line with personal role and responsibilities.
• Read, understand and interpret information and work in compliance with technical specifications and supporting documentation.
• Prepare work areas to undertake work related activities and reinstate those areas after the completion of the work related activities.
• Inspect and maintain appropriate plant and equipment to meet operational requirements.
• Assess and test the performance and condition of plant and equipment.
• Communicate, handover and confirm that the appropriate engineering process has been completed to specification.
• Position, assemble, install and dismantle electrical plant and equipment, which may include motors, switchgear, cables and conductors, to agreed specifications.
• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on electrical plant and equipment.
• Replace, repair or remove components in electrical plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Position, assemble, install and dismantle mechanical plant and equipment which may include pumps, valves, gearboxes, pipework, to agreed specifications,
• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on mechanical plant and equipment.
• Replace, repair or remove components in mechanical plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Position, assemble, install and dismantle plant and equipment which may include instrumentation and control of temperature, pressure and flow systems to agreed specifications.
• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on plant and equipment.
• Replace, repair or remove components in plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Calibrate and configure instrument and control systems.
• Install, assemble and dismantle wind turbine plant and equipment, which will include pitch systems, yaw systems, switchgear, control systems to agreed specifications.
• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on wind turbine plant and equipment including mechanical drive systems.
• Replace, repair or remove components in wind turbine plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Position, assemble, install and dismantle integrated electrical apparatus, systems and process control equipment.
• Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on integrated plant and equipment.
• Replace, repair and/or remove components within integrated plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Calibrate and configure integrated electrical apparatus, systems and process control equipment.
• Position, assemble, install and dismantle integrated electromechanical power and control systems.
• Replace, repair or remove components within integrated plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
• Safely and efficiently carry out routine and non-routine operating procedures on plant and equipment.
• Monitor and control the operation and performance of the plant and equipment.
• Handover and accept responsibility for plant and equipment.
• Evaluate and solve complex problems within energy conversion plant and systems.
• Rapidly and correctly respond to contingencies and abnormal conditions, to maintain energy conversion and production plant and equipment within operational parameters.

Training schedule

You will spend 1 day in our Luckyn Lane Campus, Basildon and 4 days with the employer. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Willing to learn
• Adaptable
• Good Timekeeping
• Positivity

Other requirements

Candidates must be able to travel to our premises reliably each day. Due to our location, access to personal or reliable public transport is important.

As skills are developed, there will be opportunities to stay away from home on site visits later in the apprenticeship, predominantly at power stations within the UK and occasionally across Europe. All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.

The role involves hands-on technical work in a workshop and industrial environment, so a practical mindset and willingness to get involved are essential.

Applicants should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a close-knit team.

The successful candidate will join DCS Parts and Services Ltd as a valued team member, supporting the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of industrial control systems for customers across the UK and Europe.

All necessary training will be provided, with paid day release to support your studies. You will initially work towards a Level 3 technical qualification, followed by progression to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in a relevant engineering discipline, with the long-term goal of becoming a fully qualified DCS Engineer.