Water treatment worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job.

You could do the Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Water Engineering.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

• Water Process Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Water Industry Treatment Process Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Water Treatment Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 18 months and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You could apply directly to work as a water treatment worker.

Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English, maths and a science at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

It might also be useful if you have experience of working in industrial plant maintenance.

More information

You can find more advice about careers and training in the water industry through Energy and Utilities Jobs .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• knowledge of public safety and security
• observation and recording skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of maths
• to be flexible and open to change
• knowledge of physics
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• concentration skills
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Water treatment workers treat and process clean water and waste water.

As a water treatment worker, you could:

• operate equipment to treat sewage
• clean and maintain tanks and filters
• treat water with chemicals and microbes, take readings and keep records
• check drinking water samples for quality
• make sure the site is safe and secure

Location : You could work in a control room.
Environment : Your working environment may be dirty, physically demanding, cramped, at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £32,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 44 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a team leader.

With further training, you could become an engineering technician or a water engineer.