Painting & Decorating Modern Apprentice (Campbeltown)

Starting salary: £27,740
Contract type: Fixed term contract for 4 years
Grade: 1
Location: B.R. Wilkinson & Sons, Campbeltown PA28 6PF and City of Glasgow College, 190 Cathedral St, Glasgow G4 0RF
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held on Week Commencing 27 July 2026

HES are offering an exciting opportunity to become a Painting and Decorating Modern Apprentice. This role is designed for individuals passionate about traditional building skills, who want to begin a rewarding career in construction and building conservation. You will be trained full time by B.R. Wilkinson & Sons Decorators in Campbeltown whilst being an employee of Historic Environment Scotland.

This 4-year post will combine practical on-site training with structured classroom learning through City of Glasgow College, leading to a Modern Apprenticeship SCQF Level 6 Construction: Building, Painting and Decorating award.

This is a unique chance to contribute to the preservation of Scotland’s historic built environment whilst developing valuable trade skills in Painting and Decorating.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• Working Safely
  • Work in accordance with the provided Health and Safety standards acquired through training and certification, at all times.
• Assist Colleagues with Tasks
  • Following training, support qualified tradespeople with material, tool and surface preparation, as well as painting, coating, varnishing, wallpapering and protective work amongst other duties.
• Site Preparation
  • Help prepare work areas with setting up, setting down, equipment maintenance, and inventory checks, to ensure a clean and safe working environment.
• Learning and Development
  • Attend lessons and assessments at a designated training provider, as well as professional development opportunities hosted by the Engine Shed and HES. 
• Team Collaboration
  • Work reliably and effectively as part of a team, taking direction from experienced tradespeople, placement supervisors, and HES line management.
• Conservation Awareness
  • Gain an understanding of the principles of conservation and the importance of preserving Scotland’s historic built environment.
  • Occasionally share your knowledge with audiences at outreach events, e.g. school career fairs. 

Objectives

• Develop Core Trade Skills:
  • Build competence in Painting and Decorating technique and understanding through hands-on experience and formal training.
• Achieve a Qualification:
  • Successfully complete the Modern Apprenticeship framework by achieving both the SVQ and PDA elements, along with a Skills Test, Portfolio and completing all required hours of the programme across 4 years.
• Achieve Certifications:
  • Successfully complete the necessary modules and examinations for necessary health and safety, and other construction certifications.
• Promote Heritage Values:
  • Develop and understand a respect for the cultural significance of the sites and structures being worked on.
• Grow Professionally:
  • Demonstrate reliability, initiative and commitment to continuous learning and development.                              

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• A genuine interest in a career in painting and decorating, construction and building conservation.

• Willingness to learn and develop new skills. 

• Able to comprehend and follow instructions, asking questions when needing clarification.

• Desire to complete a SCQF Level 6 Modern Apprenticeship in Construction Building, Painting and Decorating.

• Ability to work well and adapt within a team.

• Confident and able to work outdoors in a manual labour position, with reasonable adjustments considered to support individual needs where required.

• Willingness to travel on occasion, with advance notice, to locations across Scotland.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.