Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland. Ready to own your future?  At Scottish Water, our Modern Apprenticeships  arenât  about  sitting in classrooms all day.  Theyâre  designed to get you out there, hands-on, learning real skills from the start.  Youâll  earn while you learn, gain industry-recognised qualifications, and build a career that  actually matters.  Fresh out of school? Ready for a career switch? Whatever your story,  weâve  got opportunities that challenge you, support you, and help you grow.  Join our  Waste  W ater  Treatment team in  Orkney  Mainland  from  August 2026.  What does a  Waste  W ater  Treatment Modern Apprentice do?  As a  Waste  W ater  Treatment Modern Apprentice,  youâll  be learning how we treat  waste water  and return it safely to the environment.  Youâll  gain hands-on experience alongside a skilled team, developing the knowledge and skills needed to protect Scotlandâs rivers, seas, and communities.  Youâll  learn how to  monitor  and maintain treatment processes, from sedimentation to filtration.  Youâll  be trained to take samples, check test results, and log important data - helping to  identify  issues and improve how we work.  Youâll  also learn how to carry out regular maintenance, keeping equipment safe and reliable. From inspections to safety procedures,  youâll  be taught how to work safely and protect the environment.  Itâs  about more than meeting regulations -  itâs  about learning to go further, solve problems, and help Scotlandâs water industry stay clean, safe, and sustainable.  Your journey with us  Modern Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning, with the opportunity to complete  vocational  qualifications. Supported by our in-house Skills Academy team, each apprentice has both a day-to-day line manager, and a personal assessor who supports them through their qualification and ensures their training is of the highest standard.  Over three years,  youâll  receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified  Waste Water  Treatment Operator, gaining the skills and confidence to make a real impact.  How to effectively treat high volumes of  waste water  to make it safe  How to collect and test  waste water  samples  How to  monitor  and analyse readings from the meters and gauges on site and spot malfunctions  How to use the software, apps, and technology we use to  monitor  the water supply  How to work in a way that keeps you and your colleagues safe and healthy.  A lot of your time will be spent outdoors. But in Scotland we all know that there is no such thing as  bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. So,  weâll  make sure  youâre  kitted out for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.  Youâll  be part of an expert, experienced team who will support you to develop your skills and knowledge while working towards a nationally recognised qualification. This is your chance to earn as you learn, working with industry-leading teams to help deliver services that are essential to the daily lives of the people of Scotland.  Once  youâve  reached a certain point in your training,  youâll  be included in our Out-of- Hours  rota. That means you might occasionally be called into work outside your normal hours to investigate or fix a problem.  Youâll  earn some extra money each month for this, whether  youâre  called in or not.  Whatâs  in it for you?  Youâll  challenge and stretch yourself.  Weâre  here to help you make the most of your skills and abilities with first-class training, support, and a big investment in your development.  You will qualify with a Water Industry SVQ at SCQF Level 6. From your 2nd year,  youâll  get the  option  to do an HNC in Water Operations. And be supported through your qualification by trainers and assessors from our in-house Skills Academy.  Earn as you learn.  Youâll  start on  £24,352, with clear, scheduled pay increases as you reach key milestones throughout your training.  Youâll  also be eligible for an annual bonus and a great pension scheme.  Job security.  The vast majority of  our apprentices choose to stay with us after completing their programmes. Many people even spend their entire careers with us! Some go on to become team leaders or managers, while others focus on honing their technical  expertise.  Youâll  be providing an essential service to Scotland and your local community, helping to protect our natural environment.  And the best bit?  Youâll  be working as part of a friendly, close-knit team that genuinely wants to see you succeed - and who make coming into work fun.  What  youâll  need   You need to be at least 17 years old by 1 August 2026.  A responsible attitude to learning and work is essential.  Youâll  be someone people can trust and rely on.  Ideally,  youâll  have five National 4 or 5s (or similar). English, Maths and Science are particularly helpful, but they  arenât  a dealbreaker.  A driving licence would be useful  - but we know that lessons and tests are expensive. If you  havenât  had the chance to pass your test, we can provide support to help you get your licence during your first year with us.   In terms of requirements?  Thatâs  it.   But  hereâs  the thing: We get  lot s of applications for our apprentice roles each year. What makes the best candidates stand out?  Here are a few things we love to see:   CVs that tell us more than what qualifications you have gained. Show us what you love. What are your aspirations?  Cover letters that tell us why  youâre  interested in Scottish Water (and in this role particularly). We recommend including cover letters in the same document as your CV.   A note to women considering an apprenticeship  Weâre  proud to see more women joining our apprenticeship programmes every year, but  thereâs  still work to do. Women are underrepresented in some of these roles, and  weâre  committed to changing that.  If  youâre  reading this and wondering if an apprenticeship is right for you,  hereâs  the answer: it is.  Apprenticeships are for anyone with curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn. If that sounds like you,  weâd  love to see you apply.  At Scottish Water,  youâll  find a supportive network of women and men  whoâve  got your back. Whether  youâre  out in the field, in the lab, or in the office,  youâll  be part of a team  thatâs  here to help you grow, succeed, and feel like you belong - because you do.  The not-so-small print  Weâre  accepting applications until  midnight on Sunday 22 March 2026.   There will be some fun (no, honestly!) online assessment activity in April. Interviews will happen during May and June. And  weâre  aiming to get all our new apprentices started in August.   For more information on our apprentice programmes and applications please visit our website:  www.scottishwater.co.uk/apprentice   For any  additional  queries  regarding  your application, feel free to contact us at  EarlyCareers@scottishwater.co.uk  A few final things worth knowing⦠ Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If youâre interested in this job, but donât tick all the boxes, apply anyway! We hardly ever hire people who can do every part of a job from Day One. Everyone has a learning curve. So donât rule yourself out!  Let us know if there are any changes we can make to our recruitment process to help you perform at your best. Lots of our people have disabilities or neurodiverse conditions (including some of our recruiters!). We're also aware that some people might be experiencing temporary challenges because of life events, like menopause. Weâre very used to making adjustments, so please donât be afraid to ask.  As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, itâs important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you donât already live here, you'll need to commit to moving here within your first three months. Please note, Scottish Water takes the safety, health and wellbeing of our employees, colleagues and customers very seriously and as such you may be subject to Drug & Alcohol testing in line with our policy. Finally (finally!), candidates who havenât submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You wonât need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted. Weâre here to help. Ask us anything a t SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.uk Â