Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our Modern Apprenticeships aren\'t about just sitting in classrooms all day. They\'re designed to get you out there, hands-on, learning real skills from the start. You\'ll 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, we\'ve got opportunities that challenge you, support you, and help you grow.
Join our Water Treatment team in South Inverness from August 2025.
What does a Water Treatment Modern Apprentice do?
As a Water Treatment Modern Apprentice, you\'ll learn how we keep Scotland\'s water safe, clean, and reliable. You\'ll work with an experienced team, gaining hands-on experience in treating and maintaining water supplies from reservoirs to taps.
You\'ll help monitor and maintain water quality at our treatment works. From calibrating monitors to adjusting mechanical and chemical processes, you\'ll make sure everything runs smoothly. You\'ll learn to record and review water quality results - checking pH, chlorine, aluminium, and phosphate levels - and spot anything that needs attention.
Safety comes first. You\'ll be fully kitted out with PPE and trained to carry out risk assessments. Routine inspections of plants, reservoirs, and dams will be part of your day, along with following strict health and safety protocols.
This is your chance to learn, grow, and play a key role in delivering safe, fresh water to communities across Scotland - while helping us set standards that go beyond what\'s expected.
Your Journey with Us
Modern Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning, with the opportunity to complete professional 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, you\'ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Water Treatment Operator, gaining the skills and confidence to make a real impact.
- How to effectively treat high volumes of water to make it safe
- How to monitor assets like reservoirs and drainage systems
- How to collect and test 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, we\'ll make sure you\'re kitted out for whatever Mother Nature throws at us.
You\'ll 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 you\'ve reached a certain point in your training, you\'ll 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. You\'ll earn some extra money each month for this, whether you\'re called in or not.
What\'s in it for you?
You\'ll challenge and stretch yourself. We\'re 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, you\'ll 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. You\'ll start on £22,072, with clear, scheduled pay increases as you reach key milestones throughout your training. You\'ll 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.
You\'ll be providing an essential service to Scotland and your local community, helping to protect our natural environment.
And the best bit? You\'ll 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 you\'ll need
- You need to be at least 17 years old by 1 August 2025.
- A responsible attitude to learning and work is essential. You\'ll be someone people can trust and rely on.
- Ideally, you\'ll have five National 4 or 5s (or similar). English, Maths and Science are particularly helpful, but they aren\'t a dealbreaker.
- A driving licence would be useful - especially in some of our more remote locations - but we know that lessons and tests are expensive. If you haven\'t had the chance to pass your test, we can provide support to help you get your licence during your first year with us.
A Note to Women Considering an Apprenticeship
We\'re proud to see more women joining our apprenticeship programmes every year - but we know there\'s still work to do. Women are underrepresented in some of these roles, and we\'re committed to changing that.
If you\'re reading this and wondering if an apprenticeship is right for you, here\'s the answer: it is. Don\'t let outdated ideas about who belongs in certain jobs hold you back.
Apprenticeships are for anyone with curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn. If that sounds like you, we\'d love to see you apply.
At Scottish Water, you\'ll find a supportive network of women and men who\'ve got your back. Whether you\'re out in the field, in the lab, or in the office, you\'ll be part of a team that\'s here to help you grow, succeed, and feel like you belong - because you do.
The not-so-small print
We\'re accepting applications until midnight on Sunday, 1 June 2025.
There will be some fun (no, honestly!) online assessment activity during late May/early June. Interviews will happen during June. And we\'re aiming to get all our new apprentices started on the 11 August.
For more information on our apprentice programmes and applications please visit our website: www.scottishwater.co.uk/apprentice
Start your career in Scotland\'s Water Sector
Interested in learning more about career opportunities that make a real difference? Explore hands-on roles across leading employers in Scotland\'s water sector. Make an impact on communities, the environment, and public health while securing a sustainable future for Scotland. Visit www.watercareers.scot today.
A few final things worth knowing...
Research shows that some people avoid applying for jobs unless they can meet every single criteria. If you\'re interested in this job, but don\'t 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 don\'t 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. We\'re very used to making adjustments, so please don\'t be afraid to ask.
As part of our commitment to developing a flourishing Scotland, it\'s important that all our employees are Scottish taxpayers. If you join us, your home address will need to be in Scotland. If you don\'t already live here, you\'ll need to commit to moving here within your first three months.
Finally (finally!), candidates who haven\'t submitted an application in the last 12 months will have their records removed from our recruitment database. You won\'t need to do anything. Your data will be automatically deleted.
We\'re here to help. Ask us anything at SWRecruitment@ScottishWater.co.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Modern Apprenticeship 2025 - Water Treatment (South Inverness)
✨Get Hands-On Experience
Apprenticeships in agriculture are all about practical skills, so jump at any chance to volunteer or get involved on local farms. Attend open days or agricultural shows in your area to meet professionals and learn hands-on techniques—it's a fantastic way to show your enthusiasm and learn about what different roles entail.
✨Join Agricultural Communities
Look for local farming or agricultural clubs and networks, as these are great for meeting like-minded people and industry veterans. Platforms like Facebook often have groups dedicated to agriculture where you can ask questions and seek guidance—plus, they might have job leads specifically for apprenticeships.
✨Take Initiative with Local Farms
Don't wait for job postings—reach out directly to farms in your area. Offer to help with seasonal tasks or internships, and when the time comes for them to take on apprentices, they might remember your initiative and commitment. Personal connections can make all the difference in securing that apprenticeship.
✨Apply Directly through Scottish Water
When you're ready to apply, head over to our website to see any apprenticeship opportunities with Scottish Water. Our application process is straightforward, and showing your interest by applying directly is a great way to stand out—plus, you might just land that apprenticeship to kick-start your career in agriculture!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Agriculture:When applying for an apprenticeship in agriculture, let your enthusiasm shine through! Talk about any farming experiences, courses you've taken, or projects you’ve been involved in that got you excited about this field. Don't hold back on what drives you – genuine passion can make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Studies:Make sure to emphasise any relevant skills or knowledge from your studies that relate to agriculture. This could include anything from understanding crop cycles to machinery operation. If you've got any practical skills, like operating farm equipment or conducting soil tests, be sure to mention those, as they’ll show you're ready to dive into hands-on learning.
Tailor Your CV to Agriculture:Your CV should reflect your journey in agriculture so far. Include any specific coursework, projects, or volunteer work related to farming or environmental science. We love seeing a tailored CV that speaks to the apprenticeship role, so ensure it demonstrates your eagerness to learn and grow in this field.
Be Clear About Your Learning Goals:In your cover letter, take some time to outline what you hope to learn through this apprenticeship. Being specific about your goals will show Scottish Water that you’re committed to your personal development and that you’ve put thought into how this opportunity fits into your career plans. Let’s make sure they know you’re ready to soak up all the knowledge you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Water
✨Know Your Crops
Brush up on the specific crops or livestock relevant to the apprenticeship at Scottish Water. Understanding their growing cycles, care requirements, and common challenges can really impress your interviewers. Consider bringing up any personal experiences or coursework related to agriculture that highlights your knowledge!
✨Hands-On Experience Matters
Since this is an apprenticeship, they’ll likely be interested in your practical skills. Be prepared to discuss any previous work you've done in agriculture or related fields. If you’ve participated in farm volunteer work or projects, make sure to highlight that experience to show your dedication and foundational skills.
✨Ask About the Tools
Don't shy away from asking questions about the tools and technologies used at Scottish Water. Familiarity with common agricultural tools and practices can set you apart from others, so ask about the equipment they use and express your interest in learning to use them effectively during your apprenticeship.
✨Show Your Passion for Learning
As you’re vying for an apprenticeship, demonstrating your eagerness to learn is key. Share your motivation for wanting to get into agriculture, whether it's a family background, school projects, or just a love for the outdoors. Letting your enthusiasm shine through will make you memorable in the selection process!
