Apprenticeships in Aberdeen
Nicknamed “the Granite City” and the “oil capital of Europe”, Aberdeen features striking granite architecture and a large port which acts as a prime centre for the North Sea oil and gas industry.
The third biggest city in Scotland, after Edinburgh and Glasgow, Aberdeen is also known for its beautiful coastal scenery, creative community, and being one of the safest places in the UK.
Let’s discover more about this multifaceted city and the career opportunities it offers.
Careers in Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s main industries were once textiles, papermaking, shipbuilding and fishing. Today, it is primarily known for its oil and gas industry, with main players including Shell and Aker Solutions. There are over 900 companies in the energy sector in the area, including newer businesses concentrating on renewables and sustainable energy.
However, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, and construction are also significant to the city’s strong economy.
Aberdeen is home to the UK’s oldest newspaper, The Press and Journal, and there are still plenty of careers in journalism and media.
As with most cities with a significant population, health and social care create many jobs. Other industries making an impact include business development, sales, administration, the Trades, real estate, and engineering.
Aberdeen has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the UK, at around 1.8%, so it’s a great place to start your career.
The latest apprentice jobs in Aberdeen
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BAE Systems Apprenticeships (Register your interest for 2026/27)
BAE SystemsUK -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK -
BMW Apprenticeships 2025 (Register Interest)
BMWUK -
PwC Apprenticeship Programme 2025
PwCUK
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search all jobs.
Top employers in Aberdeen
Living and working in Aberdeen
Abderdeen is a juxtaposition of stunning seascapes and silver buildings that sparkle in the sun but can look grey on dull days.
Aberdeen Beach offers sandcastles, amusement arcades, and cafes. You can walk the 6.5-kilometre length of the beach from Aberdeen harbour all the way to the mouth of the River Don, or cycle or rollerblade across the promenade.
The Art Deco Beach Ballroom, built in 1926, is famed for its springy dance floor and renowned as one of the best ballrooms in Scotland. There is also the quaint little former fishing village of Footdee.
Away from the beach, you can visit Scotland’s oldest bridge, the Brig O’Balgownie, which has stood since the Wars of Scottish Independence.
With a record number of 17 whiskey distilleries, you’ll never struggle to get a wee dram of ‘the water of life’.
Aberdeen became a walkable gallery in 2017, with street art helping to break up the greyness of the buildings. The Nuart Festival showcases international artists, with a mix of new installations and fan favourites that have stood the test of time on display.
If you prefer a gentle stroll in a stunning setting, Cairngorms National Park is twice the size of the Lake District.
Outlander fans can visit some of the many druid stone circles abundant in Aberdeen.
Fun fact: You might also strike it rich if you live there, as the city has been home to forty different Lottery millionaire winners.
You can commute easily, with hourly trains to Glasgow and Edinburgh and good rail links to other destinations such as Leeds, Newcastle, and York. Aberdeen also has an airport, which is serviced by bus.
Degree apprenticeships in Aberdeen
The most advanced apprenticeships are level 6 and 7 apprenticeships, also known as degree apprenticeships. Level 6 is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, while level 7 grants you a qualification equal to a master’s degree. They are run in conjunction with a UK employer and a respected university.
Aberdeen is home to the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Aberdeen, which is still highly regarded. A much newer university, Robert Gordon University, was formed in 1992. Named after an 18th-century merchant and philanthropist, Robert Gordon, it includes a world-renowned art school.
The University of Aberdeen has a currently paused Civil Engineering apprenticeship and a wide selection of paid internships and work placements.
Apprenticeships at Robert Gordon University include Cyber Security, Engineering, Business Management, Accounting and Construction.
Industry spotlight
Aberdeen remains far and away the biggest industry in gas and oil.
Previously known as the Oil and Gas Technical Apprenticeships Programme (OGTAP), APTUS is a series of North Sea apprenticeships covering four key disciplines in the onshore/offshore programme: Electrical maintenance, Mechanical maintenance, Process operations, and Instrumentation and control maintenance. Lasting up to 48 months, these apprenticeships are designed to equip young people and adult apprentices with the skills they need to start a career in the oil and gas industry. Participating companies include Shell, TotalEnergies, Wood. and bp.
Job titles include:
- Supply chain manager.
- Petroleum engineer
- Geologist
Renewable energy is a growing industry in the city, offering the chance to help shape the future of clean energy.
Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group offers apprenticeships, university courses and free online training in aspects of energy, such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Law for Energy Transition, Wind Energy Systems, and Renewables and the Energy Transition.
Business administration comprises a set of in-demand skills that can be transferred across most companies and industries, such as problem-solving, data analysis, forecasting and financial literacy.
That’s why training organisations such as Aberdeen-based Tullos Training are offering Modern Apprenticeships in Business Administration. Open to anyone working in an office, they are workplace-based, with an assessor visiting to monitor progress every 4-6 weeks.
What is an apprenticeship?
UK apprenticeships are a combined work (80%) and study (20%) programme, designed to upskill and diversify the UK workforce.
Funded by the government, apprenticeships aim to create job opportunities for a wider section of working-age UK residents.
This includes drives towards more race, gender and socio-economic background inclusion, so that these factors are no longer prohibitive.
Participating businesses are financially rewarded for taking on an apprentice, while apprentices earn a fair wage and have their tuition paid for.
Companies can therefore train new staff and upskill existing employees in the areas that most benefit their business.
There are four tiers of UK apprenticeships, as follows:
- Level 2 (Intermediate) – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
- Level 3 (Advanced) – equivalent to 2 A Level passes
- Levels 4- 5 (Higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree
- Levels 6-7 (Degree) – equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree
The compulsory requirements for any UK apprenticeship are:
- You must be 16 or older
- You must not be in full-time education
- You must be eligible to live and work in the UK
There may be other entry requirements you must meet to be eligible, such as 5 GCSEs or a level of physical fitness. However, you may be able to earn any outstanding grades in the first year of your apprenticeship.
Most apprenticeships do not have a maximum age, so it’s never too late to learn something new!
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
The Best Start
An apprenticeship is a bit like a cheat code for entering a new career. You are learning from practical experience in a real workplace, being paid, and studying the theory and requirements that will help you progress, all at once.
You have a foot in the door and have already impressed your employer enough to be awarded your place on the apprenticeship. All you have to do is maintain the same level of enthusiasm and aptitude throughout the course, and you should be an attractive prospect for any employer.
Although an apprenticeship is not the best fit for everyone, it can offer suitable candidates a head start on their peers.
No Loans, Just a Fair Wage
Most courses come at a cost, leaving you with debts to pay upon graduation or having to juggle an unrelated job to make ends meet.
With an apprenticeship, you not only have your tuition paid for, but you will earn a regular salary proportionate to your age and experience.
All UK apprentices are entitled to at least the minimum living wage for their age group:
- 16-18 – £7.55 an hour
- 18-20 – £10.00 an hour
- 21+ – £12.21
The key words here are ‘at least’. Salaries are at the discretion of your employer, so they could be significantly higher; however, they can’t be any lower than the above stipulations.
More Apprenticeships
A recent study showed a 1.3% rise in apprenticeships in the UK from 2023/2024 to 2024/2025.
This means more UK employers and university providers are creating programmes tailored to specific jobs and producing more successful apprentices across the country.
Choose Your Location
In years gone by, you had to go where the work was, with big cities monopolising apprenticeships in many sectors.
Today, apprenticeships have become so ubiquitous that you can usually find an employer offering the programme you are looking for, no matter where you live.
Some places are more well-known for certain types of apprenticeships, but, by and large, you choose where to study and work, be it close to home or pastures new.
The abundance of apprenticeships has also increased the number of remote programmes, creating opportunities for people with additional needs.
Get There Faster
Another significant benefit of apprenticeships is that they are typically a much faster route to qualification and experience than a university course.
While a standard course at university lasts three to seven years, some UK apprenticeships take just eight months to complete. The average UK apprenticeship duration is 12 months to three years.
This means you could earn industry qualifications and grades from GCSEs to bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace.
At the same time, you will be working in your chosen field, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and making contacts.
Would you like to learn more?
You can search the latest apprenticeships in Aberdeen, using our topic and location filters, or try searching by school subject and industry.
Is there something you aren’t sure about? Or do you just want an informal chat? No worries, our friendly team is always on hand. Get in touch, and we’ll get back to you asap!
