College · Modern Apprenticeships

Borders College

Construction, engineering, land-based and care apprenticeships across the Scottish Borders.

Galashiels East Scotland Scotland

Trades they train

Construction & Building

Bricklayer

Lay brick, block and stone to build the structure of houses, extensions and commercial buildings — one of the…

Pay
£30k–£45k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Carpenter & Joiner

Cut, fit and fix timber — from roofs and studwork on site to staircases and doors made in a workshop.

Pay
£29k–£45k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Construction Site Supervisor

Run the day-to-day of a site: programme, people, safety, quality and materials.

Pay
£38k–£60k
Level
L4
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Dry Liner / Interior Systems Installer

Build the internal walls and ceilings of commercial buildings in metal stud and plasterboard.

Pay
£28k–£44k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Groundworker

The first trade on site: dig, drain, concrete and lay the foundations everything else sits on.

Pay
£28k–£42k
Level
L2
Train
1.5 years
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Construction & Building

Painter & Decorator

Prepare, paint, paper and finish interiors and exteriors — the last trade on site and the one everyone sees.

Pay
£26k–£38k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Plasterer

Finish walls and ceilings with plaster and render — the trade that decides whether a room looks right.

Pay
£28k–£42k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Roofer

Cover, weatherproof and repair roofs in slate, tile, felt, single-ply or lead.

Pay
£29k–£45k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Construction & Building

Wall & Floor Tiler

Set out and fix ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles in kitchens, bathrooms and commercial spaces.

Pay
£27k–£42k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Electrical, Plumbing & Heating

Electrician

Install, test, inspect and maintain electrical systems in homes, sites and industry — the best-paid of the…

Pay
£35k–£58k
Level
L3
Train
3.5 years
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Electrical, Plumbing & Heating

Gas Engineer

Install, service and repair gas boilers, fires and appliances — legally restricted work, so qualified people…

Pay
£34k–£55k
Level
L3
Train
2 years
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Electrical, Plumbing & Heating

Heat Pump & Low Carbon Heating Installer

Install and commission heat pumps, cylinders and low-temperature heating — the fastest-growing trade in the…

Pay
£33k–£50k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Electrical, Plumbing & Heating

Plumber & Heating Engineer

Install and maintain hot and cold water, heating systems, bathrooms and drainage in homes and commercial…

Pay
£32k–£52k
Level
L3
Train
4 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Engineering Design & Draughtsperson

Turn concepts into the 2D drawings and 3D models that everyone else builds from.

Pay
£28k–£46k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Engineering Fitter

Assemble, install and adjust mechanical assemblies and machinery so they run right.

Pay
£32k–£48k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Machinist / CNC Technician

Produce precision components on lathes, mills and CNC machines to tolerances measured in hundredths of a…

Pay
£30k–£46k
Level
L3
Train
3.5 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Maintenance Engineering Technician

Keep production plant running — mechanical, electrical and control systems, planned and reactive.

Pay
£35k–£52k
Level
L3
Train
3.5 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Metal Fabricator

Cut, form and assemble steel and sheet metal into structures, vessels and components.

Pay
£31k–£46k
Level
L3
Train
3.5 years
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Engineering & Manufacturing

Welder

Join metal by hand to a standard that can be X-rayed — a skill that travels worldwide and pays for it.

Pay
£32k–£55k
Level
L2
Train
1.5 years
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Motor Vehicle & Transport

HGV Technician

Maintain and repair trucks, trailers and commercial vehicles that cannot afford to be off the road.

Pay
£33k–£50k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Motor Vehicle & Transport

Motor Vehicle Technician

Service, diagnose and repair cars — increasingly a job of electronics and data as much as spanners.

Pay
£29k–£45k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Motor Vehicle & Transport

Vehicle Damage Panel Technician

Repair and replace crash-damaged bodywork and structures to manufacturer standards.

Pay
£30k–£45k
Level
L3
Train
3 years
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Health & Social Care

Adult Care Worker

Support adults to live well — in their own homes, in supported living or in residential care.

Pay
£23.5k–£30k
Level
L2
Train
1 year
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Health & Social Care

Dental Nurse

Work chairside supporting the dentist, and qualify while you earn with no university route needed.

Pay
£25k–£35k
Level
L3
Train
2 years
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Health & Social Care

Healthcare Support Worker

Hands-on patient care in hospitals and the community — the widest open door into the NHS.

Pay
£24.5k–£30k
Level
L2
Train
1 year
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Hair, Beauty & Wellbeing

Barber

Cut, fade and shave — a booming trade with low start-up costs and quick self-employment.

Pay
£22k–£40k
Level
L2
Train
1.5 years
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Hair, Beauty & Wellbeing

Beauty Therapist

Deliver facials, treatments and therapies in salons, spas and your own business.

Pay
£21k–£34k
Level
L2
Train
1.5 years
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Hair, Beauty & Wellbeing

Hairdresser

Cut, colour and style hair — and build a client book that belongs to you.

Pay
£22k–£40k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Land, Animals & Environment

Animal Care & Welfare Assistant

Look after animals in kennels, catteries, rescue centres, zoos and pet retail.

Pay
£21k–£28k
Level
L2
Train
1 year
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Land, Animals & Environment

Landscaper / Horticulture Operative

Build and maintain gardens, parks and green spaces — soft landscaping and hard.

Pay
£24k–£36k
Level
L2
Train
2 years
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Assistant Accountant

Keep the books, run payroll and prepare accounts — a profession you can qualify into without a degree.

Pay
£25k–£42k
Level
L3
Train
1.5 years
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Business Administrator

Run the systems, records and coordination that keep an organisation working.

Pay
£24k–£34k
Level
L3
Train
1.5 years
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Customer Service Practitioner

Handle the phone calls, emails and problems that decide whether a customer stays — a qualification every…

Pay
£23k–£31k
Level
L2
Train
1 year
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Early Years Educator

Care for and teach children under five in nurseries, pre-schools and schools.

Pay
£22k–£30k
Level
L3
Train
1.5 years
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Retail Team Member

Serve customers, run a section and learn the trade of selling — the most widely available first job with a…

Pay
£22k–£30k
Level
L2
Train
1 year
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Teaching Assistant

Support pupils and teachers in the classroom, including children with additional needs.

Pay
£21.5k–£28k
Level
L3
Train
1.5 years
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Business, Retail & Logistics

Team Leader / Supervisor

The first step into management — and the apprenticeship that formalises what you already do.

Pay
£29k–£42k
Level
L3
Train
1 year
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