Apprenticeship opportunities at Qualifications Scotland

Qualifications Scotland is launching its modern apprenticeship programme for 2026, marking the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, by helping young people take their first steps into the world of work in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The country’s national awarding body is hiring six modern apprenticesaged between 16 to 24* across a variety of business areas, including IT Support, National Qualification Assessment Arrangements, and Operations.

The one-year programme gives young people the chance to earn and learn, while working towards a valuable Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ). Successful applicants will gain hands-on, practical experience, within a supportive team.

Pictured L-R are former Qualifications Scotland Modern Apprentices Jack Miller, Ross Coyle, and Louise Rainey

Jack Miller is a former Qualifications Scotland modern apprentice who went on to secure a permanent role within the organisation.

Jack has a message for young people considering applying for the apprenticeship programme: “100% do it! It’s one of the best opportunities you can get – you’re learning, you’re earning, and you’re meeting new people.”

Fellow former modern apprentice Louise Rainey, who also successfully applied for a permanent position at Qualifications Scotland, says it was the right career move for her.

Louise explains, “I applied for an apprenticeship because I didn’t really enjoy the classroom learning environment. When I left school, I wanted to be hands-on and go into the workplace. During my apprenticeship I was given lots of support while gaining loads of new skills.”

Sarah Anne Rooney, Employee Development Programme Manager, who leads the Modern Apprenticeship programme at Qualifications Scotland, says the organisation is committed to nurturing young talent, providing opportunities for young people to succeed in the world of work.

Sarah Anne adds: “At Qualifications Scotland, we understand that a young person’s early career experiences can be daunting. That’s why we provide our modern apprentices with a network of support, so they have what they need to reach their full potential. By the end of our one-year programme they’ll be in an excellent position to secure full-time employment or continue their education and training. Our SVQs are at the heart of most modern apprenticeship frameworks, meaning that the skills the young people develop through the year will be recognised by employers across the country.”

Successful candidates will join Qualifications Scotland on a one-year programme to gain on-the-job training and an industry recognised qualification, all while earning a competitive salary. Line managers and external assessors will help the new recruits develop and evidence their newly acquired skills to help them achieve their qualification, whilst a Career Development Mentor ensures they gain the right experience from the programme by helping them identify their career goals.

Applications for the modern apprenticeship positions are now being accepted and will close on Sunday 19 April. Further details on each of the Modern Apprenticeship positions are available on the Modern Apprenticeship pages of the website.