2026 Graduate Programme - Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning

WSP; Exeter; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy seeks graduates for its 2026 Graduate Programme in Infrastructure Planning in Exeter. Ideal candidates will provide support on planning applications and feasibility studies, engage with stakeholders, and leverage GIS mapping in delivering resilient infrastructure. This role offers comprehensive training and development opportunities to assist in achieving chartered status. Embrace your creativity and passion for infrastructure while making a real-world impact.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master's degree (RTPI accredited) in a relevant subject.
• Complete application form in full, answering all specific questions.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation and management of planning applications.
• Conduct site appraisals and feasibility studies.
• Draft planning statements and supporting documents.
• Research local and national policy and prepare briefs.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement, including public exhibitions.

Skills

Passion for Planning & consulting

Enthusiasm for creativity

Drive to solve problems

Education

Master's degree (RTPI accredited)

Tools

GIS mapping

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

We're seeking graduates who are eager to learn, flexible, and ready to make a difference. You'll thrive in our collaborative, supportive environment, where your creativity and passion for the built environment can flourish. Whether your interest is in working with communities, driving sustainable development, or supporting innovative infrastructure, your talents will find a home with us.

Imagine being at the heart of projects that shape how we live, move, work and play. Join our 2026 Graduate Programme in Infrastructure Planning and launch your career with one of the UK's leading professional advisory consultancies.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services & locations:

• Infrastructure Planning: Exeter

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Graduates in Infrastructure Planning help deliver sustainable, resilient infrastructure by combining research, policy insight, and stakeholder collaboration. You'll contribute to planning applications, site appraisals, and community engagement, guided by experienced planners. Your work will inform transport schemes, utility upgrades, and energy proposals that balance technical feasibility with environmental and social value.

Infrastructure Planning

In this team, you'll gain exposure to multi-disciplinary groups, from ecologists to engineers and heritage specialists to hydrologists, while building core skills in GIS mapping, regulatory analysis and project coordination. The position offers a clear learning path, regular feedback, and opportunities to see your work influence real-world developments.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Supporting the preparation, submission and management of planning applications, appeals and enquiries for infrastructure projects.
• Conducting site appraisals and feasibility studies, gathering data on transport, utilities, land use and environmental constraints.
• Drafting planning statements, design and access statements, and supporting documents under senior review.
• Researching local and national policy and preparing concise briefs for project teams.
• Coordinating stakeholder and community engagement, including public exhibitions and workshops.
• Liaising with consultants to integrate inputs into planning deliverables.
• Maintaining project trackers, monitoring deadlines, and identifying risks or resource needs.
• Using GIS mapping and data visualisations to support recommendations.
• Assisting in discharging planning conditions during delivery, compiling reports and evidence logs.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

Our teams are committed to your career progression, encouraging growth from the outset. Many colleagues joined as graduates and have now advanced within the business.

We encourage you to pursue chartered status with professional bodies like the RTPI, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution's training agreement, guiding you towards chartered status.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master's degree (RTPI accredited) in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career's recruitment process.
• You’ll be looking to start work in September 2026.
• You have a passion for Planning & consulting.
• You have a desire for built environment, infrastructure, places and the economy.
• You have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.

Don't quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please see the Early Careers brochure.

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.