Atkins, the UK’s largest design, engineering and project management consultancy, is seeking 15 apprentices to work on a range of exciting projects in its Highways & Transportation business ranging from nationally significant infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Smart Motorways, through to locally important schemes including the West Midlands Highways Alliance Framework.
The new apprenticeship placements will be based at the company’s offices across the UK, including Birmingham, Epsom, Swansea and Warrington. Successful applicants will be working towards a professional qualification in their chosen field, while honing their skills and getting valuable experience in the workplace.
Philip Hoare, managing director for Atkins’ Highways & Transportation business said: “We not only need to make engineering a more attractive career, but we must have alternative routes for young people to enter our profession, otherwise we will have to deal with the consequences of solving future transport challenges without enough qualified people.
“Apprenticeships will have an increasingly important role to play in this regard. We know there are many talented young people out there who have the basic skills needed to be great engineers. Our apprenticeships offer a great way for young people to embark on a career which offers the opportunity to work on real, exciting projects and learn from the current generation of experts at the same time as achieving their qualifications.”
Jordan Brien joined Atkins in August 2013 as a trainee technician in the Highways & Transportation business. He said: “The best part about being an apprentice is having the ability to study in college part time and also be in work building relationships with experienced engineers in my team.
“I’d say to anyone before applying for an apprenticeship, always research the company and make sure it’s something you would commit to long term. When I applied for my apprenticeship with Atkins I researched its profile and history and decided I wanted to be a part of its future.”
The launch of the application process coincides with National Apprenticeship Week which is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. It also aims to increase awareness, understanding and demand for apprenticeships and promote apprenticeship levels and progression routes, including traineeships.
Atkins currently employs over 140 apprentices and 1181 graduates across the UK. Atkins is also a founding member of the 5% club, an industry-led campaign, with companies setting a target to reach 5% of its UK workforce over the next five years to be graduates, apprentices or sponsored students.