Apprenticeships
Level 3 Water Environment Worker
At Riverlution, we’re committed to developing the next generation of environmental professionals through high-quality, practical apprenticeships that make a real difference on the ground. After a year in the approval process, we are delighted to announce that we are now officially registered as an approved training provider with APAR. This milestone marks an exciting step forward for our organisation and strengthens our ability to support people pursuing meaningful careers in the environmental sector. Having spent several years successfully hosting learners on the Level 3 Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship, we’re proud to now deliver the programme directly. This transition allows us to build on our hands-on experience, deepen the learning journey, and provide apprentices with training that is genuinely rooted in the realities of environmental work. By combining practical field skills, industry insight, and our long-standing passion for river and habitat restoration, we can offer a learning experience that is both relevant and transformative. Our apprenticeships go far beyond technical instruction. They open up clear career pathways into an essential and rapidly growing sector, support local communities by creating skilled job opportunities, and contribute directly to the protection, restoration, and improvement of our rivers, coastlines, and wetlands. Through this work, we aim not only to educate but to empower the environmental stewards of the future, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical expertise to make a lasting positive impact.
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Programme Overview
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Water Environment Worker Apprenticeship provides learners with the essential skills and knowledge to work confidently within river and water environment settings. Through a mix of practical training, guided learning, and ongoing support, apprentices gain a solid grounding in environmental management while employers benefit from a structured, transparent programme tailored to real-world needs.
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Core Units
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
The core units give apprentices a strong grounding in practical water environment work, covering asset, habitat and water level management, project and partnership working, and the hands-on maintenance of access points and river assets. Together, these units build essential skills in assessing and enhancing habitats, contributing to collaborative environmental projects, and ensuring safe, functional spaces along rivers and waterways.
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Optional Units
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
Apprentices can tailor their learning by choosing one optional specialism, focusing on areas such as asset management and incident response, volunteer coordination, heritage asset maintenance, or water level, flood risk and drainage management. Each learner also completes an extended project linked to their chosen option and prepares for their End Point Assessment, ensuring their training is directly connected to real-world water environment work.
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Apprentice Delivery
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
The 13-month programme (with the option to extend to 18 months) blends five block weeks of in-person training across Yorkshire and the Humber with monthly guided self-study completed during working hours. Apprentices also take part in two remote modules combining self-led learning and live online sessions. Throughout the programme, a dedicated skills coach provides ongoing support, progress monitoring, and regular guidance to keep each apprentice on track.
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Programme Costs
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
The apprenticeship is fully funded by central government for learners aged 16–21. For levy-paying employers, the £12,000 programme cost is covered directly through their levy pot, while non-levy employers supporting learners aged 21+ pay a 5% co-contribution of £600. All LANTRA registration fees and End Point Assessment costs are included.
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Monitoring Costs
Water Environment Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship
We closely monitor each apprentice’s progress through regular reviews involving both the apprentice and their line manager, supported by email updates from skills coaches if tasks or Off-the-Job hours fall behind. This ensures clear communication, early intervention, and steady progress throughout the programme.
Employer Stories
For employers, it is a way to build the workforce of the future while making a real difference to the water environment. Riverlution’s Water Environment Worker Apprenticeships are open to employers across the region, with delivery beginning in October 2025. Interested in becoming an affiliated employer?
How to apply
Choose Riverlution Academy & Apprenticeships to register your interest.