Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland. Ready to own your future? Why choose between work and study when you can have both? With our Graduate Apprenticeships, youâll get hands-on experience, a salary, and a degree - all at once. Work full-time in a real role, while studying towards your qualification. Itâs the best of both worlds.   Join us as a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice, and in 4 years' time youâll be graduating debt-free with a BSc (Hons) from Heriot Watt University with 4 years of work experience under your belt.⯠Itâs an incredible way to start your career.   Youâll join our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) team in Edinburgh from August 2025, working to support public health through accurate water quality monitoring.  What does a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice do?  As a Scientific Software Development Graduate Apprentice, youâll help shape the future of public health and water safety in Scotland. W ork ing with our LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) team, youâll develop and improve the software that monito r s and record s water quality data â making sure it meets strict standards set by SEPA and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQ R ).  From day one, youâll get hands-on experience with data-focused software development, learning programming languages like LIMS Bas ic and SQL. Youâll design, build, and test solutions that track water samples, record test results, and keep our compliance data accurate and up to date. Your work will have a real impact â helping to protect Scotlandâs drinking water and public health.  Youâll collaborate with experienced software developers, l aboratory and T echnical Logistics teams, public health specialists, and environmental professionals, using your coding and problem-solving skills to create smarter, more efficient processes.  By the time you finish your 4-year apprenticeship, youâll have a degree, four years of industry experience, and a strong technical skillset â giving you everything you need to kick-start a career in scientific software development.  Your Journey with Us  Graduate Apprenticeships offer the incredible opportunity to combine an academic degree qualification at a Scottish University with up to five years of hands-on work experience. Our Graduate Apprentices split their time between university and work, learning to apply their knowledge and skills in real time.  Over four years, youâll receive dedicated training to become a fully qualified Systems Administrator, gaining the skills and confidence to make a real impact.  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.  Whatâs in it for you?  Youâll be challenged and given the opportunity to grow. Weâre committed to helping you unlock your full potential with top-notch training, ongoing support, and a significant investment in your personal and professional development.  Earn while you learn. Youâll start on £2 3,840, with clear, scheduled pay increases as you reach key milestones as you work towards your degree. As you apply your learning directly to your role, your studies will gain real-world relevance and impact.  Youâll also be eligible for an annual bonus and a great pension scheme.  Qualification. Youâll earn a Software Development for Business BSc (Hons) from Heriot Watt University, supported by expert trainers and assessors from our in-house Skills Academy. Hybrid working. Youâll be based at our Juniper House laboratory, right on the Heriot Watt campus, where youâll be part of an inspiring environment focused on hands-on learning.  But thereâs flexibility to work from home when your role allows. Real-world experience. Skip the theory and dive straight into dynamic, hands-on projects. Youâll build practical experience that not only enhances your learning but also accelerates your career.  Unmatched support. Youâll have a dedicated team of mentors and trainers at your side, guiding you through every step of the journey and ensuring you have everything you need to succeed.  Career growth. Upon completing the programme, youâll be well-positioned to secure a permanent role, with both a degree and invaluable hands-on experience in your field.  Make a difference. Youâll be providing a vital service to Scotland and your local community, helping to protect the natural environment and make a positive impact.  And the best part? Youâll be part of a supportive, close-knit team that truly cares about your success - and who make every day at work enjoyable and rewarding. What youâll need   Software Development is a challenging specialism, and y ouâll be studying at undergraduate level. So, i tâs important that you meet the universityâs entry requirements.   Ideally, youâve already started your journey in Further Education and have an HNC in a relevant subject like Computing, Software Design, or Cyber Security (or a suitable Modern Apprenticeship).   But if you havenât taken that path, no problem â weâd still love to hear from you if you have:  3 SQA Highers at ABBB, including Computing (or equivalent) and suitable Mathematics or;  A-Levels at BBB, including Computing (or equivalent) and suitable Mathematics or;  International Baccalaureate with 28 points.   We will also accept relevant Foundation Apprenticeships which will be treated as equivalent to one SQA Higher at Grade B.   You will need to be fully committed to gaining your degree. Some of your learning will happen on campus. Some of it will happen at work. Both are equally important.   But itâs not all about qualifications. Itâs also about mindset. While your full-time student friends might occasionally decide to have a lie in and skip an early morning lecture after a night out, that wonât be an option for you.   In addition to the academic requirements, a basic understanding o f programming languages will be useful and could help you get up to speed faster. While itâs not essential to have advanced skills in these areas, an interest in software development, coding and, problem solving skills will give you an advantage as you begin your learning journey.   A Note to Women Considering an Apprenticeship  Weâre proud to see more women joining our apprenticeship programmes every year - but we know 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. Donât 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, 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 6 April 202 5.   There will be some fun (no, honestly) online assessment activity during late April. Interviews will happen during May. And weâre aiming to get all our new apprentices started on the 4 August.   For more information on our apprentice programmes and applications please visit our website : www.scottishwater.co.uk/apprentice    Start your career in Scotlandâs Water Sector  Interested in learning more about apprenticeship opportunities that make a real difference? Explore hands-on roles across leading employers in Scotlandâs 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 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.  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 at SWRecruitmentScottishWater.co.uk Â