Apprentice

UPM Biochemicals • Contract • United Kingdom • 11h ago

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils!

Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

We are now looking for 2 Apprentices to join our Maintenance department for fixed-term four-year apprenticeship programs in Caledonian Paper Mill, Irvine, UK. The positions will be 1 Mechanical and 1 Automation (Electrical and Instrumentation).

What you will do

Our Maintenance Department has an important role in maintaining and developing our plant and equipment to the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. The successful candidates will be developed through the Modern Apprenticeship route, with the potential to take higher technical qualifications.

As a mechanical apprentice, you will:

Learn to troubleshoot, maintain and refurbish a multitude of systems and equipment that include pumps, cylinders, conveyors, hydraulics and pneumatics
Learn how to do machining, welding, bearing fitting, alignments and various other skills that will help you progress through your apprenticeship
Go to college and achieve a HNC in Mechanical Engineering as a day release student
Have an integral part in maintaining and developing our plant and equipment to the highest standards of accuracy, efficiency and safety
Maintain and develop our production line and power station safely and in accordance with specifications, schedules, safety targets, and quality standards

As an automation apprentice, you will:

Learn to troubleshoot, maintain and refurbish a multitude of systems and equipment, including process instrumentation such as pressure, temperature and flow and electrical systems such as AC/DC motors, variable speed drives and low voltage systems.
Learn to calibrate process valves and transmitters and quality control systems
Learn electrical fault finding/installation skills that will help you progress through your apprenticeship
Learn to troubleshoot and program on process control systems such Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s) and Digital Control Systems (DCS)
Attend college and achieve a HNC in Control and instrumentation and a HNC in Electrical Engineering as a day release student
Play an integral role in maintaining and developing our production line and power station, to the highest standards of safety, accuracy and efficiency

Who you are

You are eager to learn the skills to be able to contribute to the success of Caledonian Paper
You have achieved or are expecting to achieve in 2026 three National 5s or above in math, English and physics (or technical subject) or you are attending college to complete a pre apprenticeship course in engineering
You are comfortable using computers, hand tools and equipment
You are interested in building a long-term career in engineering
Please list your achieved grades next to the relevant subjects; if you are sitting National 5 exams, list your prelim results and expected grade

This is what we offer to you

Safety and well-being – We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We prioritize the safety of all our employees, ensuring everyone returns home safely.
A meaningful job – We do our work with professional pride, producing high-quality, sustainable products for our customers globally. Our community is built on great team spirit and commitment.
Development opportunities – We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career.
Caring for people and the environment: Responsibility is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious sustainability targets, and we keep aiming higher. Together we can renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils!
Competitive Salary: We are offering competitive salary across the 4-year apprenticeship based on the real living wage for Scotland.
Attractive benefits package: We offer a generous benefits package including bonus and pension scheme, 25 days holiday plus stat days, free on-site gym, Employee Assistance Program, employee retail discount scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and on-site electric vehicle charging facilities.
Responsible employer - Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working.

Additional information

For further information regarding the vacancy, please contact Stephen Alexander, Engineering + Projects Supervisor at [email protected] or tel. +4407745158734.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by April 24, 2026. Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system. We begin reviewing applications as they are received, and you may be contacted before the application deadline.

Candidates will be invited for the Assessment Center stages after the closing date.

For support with submitting your application, please contact the HR Service Center at [email protected] or tel. +4401723502550.

Recruitment Timeline:

Application Deadline: 24th April
Assessment Centre: 11th – 14th May
1st Stage Interviews: 15th – 19th June
2nd Stage Interviews: 22nd – 26th June
Expected start date: Monday 3rd August

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers. Our performance in sustainability has been recognized by third parties, including EcoVadis and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. We operate globally and employ approximately 15,800 people worldwide, with annual sales of approximately €10.3 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.

UPM – we renew the everyday