Modern Apprenticeship 2026 - Electrical & Mechanical Maintenance (Ayr)

Ready to own your future? At Scottish Water, our Modern Apprenticeships aren’t about 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 Electrical & Mechanical team in Ayr, from August 2026.

What does an Electrical and Mechanical Modern Apprentice do? As an Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Modern Apprentice, you’ll learn on the job, helping to keep Scotland’s water and wastewater services running smoothly. You’ll train alongside experienced engineers, gaining hands-on skills to maintain and repair the equipment that keeps water flowing and wastewater safely removed. You’ll be working on mechanical systems like pumps, valves, gearboxes, and pipework - assembling, disassembling, and repairing vital equipment. On the electrical side, you will work on electrical motors and controls, switch gear, actuators, and instrumentation. Every job is different, and you’ll be problem-solving in fast-paced, sometimes challenging environments. Safety comes first. You’ll be fully trained to carry out risk assessments, use the right tools, and follow safe working practices. You’ll also keep your skills sharp with regular safety training. You’ll work closely with the wider team to plan and respond to issues - reacting quickly to incidents and tackling planned maintenance. It’s all about teamwork, learning, and building a career that makes a real difference to Scotland’s communities.

Your journey with us Modern Apprenticeships combine on-the-job learning, with the opportunity to complete vocational qualifications. Supported by our in-house Electrical and Mechanical Skills Academy team, each apprentice has both a day-to-day line manager, and a qualification assessor from an external training provider who supports them through their qualification and ensures their training is of the highest standard. Your first year will be spent full time at a Glasgow-based college progressing towards your full qualification. If this requires you to commute long distances, we will arrange accommodation local to the college. Over four years, you’ll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified E&M Multiskilled Craftsperson, gaining the skills and confidence to make a real impact.

You can expect to learn things like:

• Maintenance skills
• Engineering fundamentals
• Using software, apps, and technology to monitor assets
• Working safely to protect yourself and your colleagues

That means most of your days will be spent outdoors on our operational sites. But in Scotland, there’s 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 an SVQ in Engineering SCQF Level 7 plus HNC level qualification. Earn as you learn. You’ll start on £24,352, 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 2026. 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.

In terms of requirements? That’s it. But here’s the thing: We get thousands 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 you’re 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: We’re proud to see more women joining our apprenticeship programmes every year, but 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. 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 22 March 2026. There will be some fun (no, honestly!) online assessment activity in April. Interviews will happen during May and June. And we’re aiming to get all our new apprentices started in August.