Modern Apprenticeship 2025 – Waste Water Treatment (Aberdeen)

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 Waste Water Treatment team in Aberdeen from August 2025.

What does a Waste Water Treatment Modern Apprentice do?

As a Waste Water Treatment Modern Apprentice, you’ll be learning how we treat waste water and return it safely to the environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience alongside a skilled team, developing the knowledge and skills needed to protect Scotland’s rivers, seas, and communities.

You’ll learn how to monitor and maintain treatment processes, from sedimentation to filtration. You’ll be trained to take samples, check test results, and log important data - helping to identify issues and improve how we work.

You’ll also learn how to carry out regular maintenance, keeping equipment safe and reliable. From inspections to safety procedures, you’ll be taught how to work safely and protect the environment. 

It’s about more than meeting regulations - it’s about learning to go further, solve problems, and help Scotland’s water industry stay clean, safe, and sustainable. 

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 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, 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 3rd year, you’ll get the option to do an HNC. 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 6 April 2025. 

There will be some fun (no, honestly!) online assessment activity during late April. Interviews will happen during May. And we’re aiming to get all our new apprentices started on the 4th of August.