Modern Apprenticeship

ROLLS WOOD GROUP; Inverness; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance Bonus Plan

Pension scheme with matching employer contributions

Health cash plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

EAP

Cycle to work

Job summary

A leading engineering company in Inverness is offering a Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering for those eager to begin their career in gas turbine maintenance. This 4-year program combines classroom learning with real workshop experience, focusing on safety and essential skills. Candidates should have National 5 qualifications in Maths and a commitment to completing a 4-year training program. The apprenticeship offers excellent career development opportunities with the potential to progress into supervisory and management roles.

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm and aptitude for learning in engineering.
• Commitment to complete 4 years of training and education.
• Can-do attitude with a passion for success.

Responsibilities

• Participate in real workshop activities from the start.
• Complete mandatory health and safety units.
• Combine classroom learning with hands-on practical experience.

Skills

Mathematics

Teamwork

Communication

Mechanical aptitude

Education

National 5 A-B or equivalent in Maths

National qualification in Physics or English

Job description

Our Modern Apprentice application process for 2026 is now open.

Your mechanical engineering career starts here

An apprenticeship at RWG means your career in power generation maintenance is off to a great start.

If you are leaving school and eager to start work, looking for an alternative to university, or keen for a change of direction in your career, then why not consider our modern apprenticeship programme.

Over the course of our company’s history, we have successfully trained more than 220 apprentices. Our in‑house training centre in Aberdeen puts you on the path to a rewarding and fulfilling career in gas turbine maintenance. Our state of the art repair and overhaul facilities offer you a first class learning environment as well as exposure to some of the most innovative technologies in the industry. You’ll learn from our highly skilled and experienced training team, themselves engineers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and dedicated to uncovering your potential.

Investing in your future. Investing in our future

We align our apprenticeships with our business requirements. The training you receive during your apprenticeship is relevant to our current and future activities. This means you acquire the knowledge, practical capabilities and technical competencies for a successful career with us.

We also invest in our existing semi‑skilled employees by offering them the opportunity to go through an accelerated apprenticeship programme.

Our training centre is approved to deliver modern apprenticeships through Enginuity. We are also an approved centre with EAL (Excellence and Achievement in Learning) and the Qualifications Scotland.

As well as having an enviable culture and great people, RWG offers a range of benefits, which include:

• A 37‑hour working week (9‑day fortnight)
• Performance Bonus Plan – we all work towards common goals
• Pension scheme with matching employer contributions
• Life assurance
• Health cash plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Course specifics

We offer a number of apprenticeship opportunities which are delivered over four years. These are in various Mechanical Engineering Disciplines.

Health, safety and environmental considerations are structured into all aspects of our apprentice training. You will complete mandatory HSE units to enable successful progression to the workshop‑based phase of your training. As an RWG apprentice, you will participate in health and safety committee meetings and workshop safety toolbox talks.

RWG has a strong reputation for developing Apprentices. We are proud to have developed 220 Modern Apprentices over a variety of engineering disciplines; the majority of whom hold key roles with us today – from highly skilled engineering positions to supervisory, management and leadership professionals.

Find out more about our Modern Apprenticeship Programme from the Apprentices themselves as they share their thoughts and experiences.

What to expect throughout your apprenticeship

You are involved in real workshop activities from the start, combining classroom learning with hands‑on practical experience.

Year 1

Basic hand skills – classroom theory covers workshop safety, basic tooling, drilling and reaming, using precision measuring equipment, engineering materials, and documentation. Hand skills workshops will prepare you for practical assessments
Machining – classroom theory covers centre lathe, milling machine and abrasive wheels and grinding techniques. Practical tasks in turning, milling and grinding will prepare you for assessments for SVQ and National Certificate awards
Mechanical maintenance – in‑depth theory of the internal combustion engine, gas turbine, and oil, fuel and air systems, involving classroom presentations, written work and online research. Classroom work is reinforced through practical workshop activities including performing maintenance procedures on gas turbines. You will also visit our engine test facility to see functional testing in action

Years 2, 3 and 4

Years two, three and four combine on‑job training and assessment within our gas turbine repair and overhaul facilities. You’ll work towards a Diploma in Engineering at SCQF Level 7. Based on performance, you may also be offered a place to work towards a Higher National Certificate in Engineering. After successfully completing your fourth year, you will be awarded your modern apprenticeship certificate.

Qualification structure

• Year 1: SVQ Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations (EAL)
• Year 1: National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Qualifications Scotland)
• Years 2‑4: Diploma in Engineering at SCQF Level 7 (EAL)
• Year 4: Modern Apprenticeship Completion Certificate (Enginuity)

Further progression based on merit to

• Years 2‑4: Higher National Certificate Mechanical Engineering (Qualifications Scotland)

What to expect after your apprenticeship

RWG is committed to the continued personal development of our apprentices, resulting in employee retention rates exceeding 70% and a demonstrated career progression into supervisory, professional, management and senior management roles within the company.

Maintenance of high speed rotating equipment presents many complex engineering challenges, demanding innovative solutions to meet the needs of our customers. RWG’s team of supportive and inspiring leaders will guide your career, providing opportunities to contribute and assisting you to reach your full potential within the company.

RWG’s market leading position and broad scope of services ensures there are various career paths open to all employees. We’re confident of our ability to provide rewarding opportunities at each stage of your career development, to enhance job skills and achieve your personal aspirations.

Being an apprentice with us isn’t just about technical knowledge and practical competence. We are committed to developing your softer skills too, such as leadership, self‑confidence, teamwork and communication. That’s why, during your first year, you and your fellow apprentices will get the chance to leave the classroom for an outward bound experience. You’ll spend a week at the Abernethy Trust adventure activity centre at Nethy Bridge, Inverness‑shire, taking part in a range of outdoor activities that will stretch your imagination, challenge your thinking, and reward you with some fantastic experiences and opportunities for personal development.

Gorge walking, low and high rope exercises, and canoeing are just some of the activities you’ll enjoy, all in a safe environment under the watchful eye of highly trained and experienced staff at the Abernethy Trust.

Past apprentices have come away from their outward bound weeks having forged new friendships, learned new skills, challenged themselves, and eager to apply their newfound skills to their apprenticeship training.

Here's how to apply

Our application process for 2026 is now open.

We have opportunities for 7 Mechanical Engineering Apprentices. Six apprentices for RWG and one for Ethos Energy. All 7 Apprentices will learn in the same environment for their first year and from year two all will continue their learning journey with their respective employer.

If you have the enthusiasm and aptitude for learning and are passionate about engineering, we want to hear from you.

There's a few criteria we need you to meet to be considered for our apprenticeship program:

• You’ll have a least National 5 A‑B or equivalent in Maths
• You may have a National qualification in Physics or English
• You’re interested in developing your career in engineering and technology
• You’re able to commit to 4 years of training and education
• You have a can‑do attitude and a passion for success

Closing date for applications is Friday 3 rd April 2026

Our selection process

Once you have applied, you’ll receive an automatic message confirming that we’ve received your application and are reviewing it. If we are unable to take your application further at this point, we’ll be in touch to let you know.

Applicants who make it past this first step will be invited to participate in a series of practical and written aptitude tests. You’ll also take part in an initial assessment interview. From there, successful candidates progressing to the next stage will be invited in for a second, more formal interview, with final selections being made after that.

The number of new training places available each year is determined by the future demands of our business.

If you apply for an apprenticeship with us but are unsuccessful, we’ll be as open and honest in our feedback to you as to why you haven’t made it on this occasion.

An apprenticeship at RWG means your career in gas turbine maintenance is off to a great start.