Modern Apprenticeship – Waste Water Treatment

Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland.

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 Waste W ater Treatment team in Inverness from August 2026
.

What does a Waste W ater Treatment Modern Apprentice do?

As a Waste W ater 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 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, 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 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 £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…