Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineer

Balfour Beatty plc; Motherwell; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

25 days holiday

Permanent contract from day one

Bi-annual performance & pay reviews

Early Careers Showcase

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc in Scotland invites applications for a Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineer as part of our 2027 Early Careers programme. You’ll work across site and office environments on major infrastructure projects, mentored by experienced engineers and supported by university study with day release.

We value potential over experience and seek self‑motivated individuals who enjoy solving problems, work well in a team, and are prepared to study towards a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering.

Qualifications

• Four SQA Highers at BBBC, including Maths.
• Self-motivated, proactive and eager to start a career in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Support day‑to‑day site and office activities while learning how civil engineering projects are delivered.
• Assist with reviewing drawings and basic design information to understand engineering standards and practices.
• Help carry out health and safety checks, including site inspections and risk management.
• Read and understand engineering drawings, plans and specifications.

Education

Four SQA Highers (BBBC) including Maths

Job description

About the role

We are Balfour Beatty. You may not know us by name, but you'll recognise what we do. We're a leading international infrastructure group, building, maintaining and improving infrastructure that supports communities for generations to come.

As a Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineer you'll join our 2027 Early Careers programme and gain hands‑on experience while contributing to some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects. From day one, you'll be mentored by experienced colleagues, develop technical and professional skills, and gain real‑world experience that complements your studies. You'll also be part of a supportive early careers community, building the knowledge, skills and industry‑recognised qualifications needed to build a successful career.

In this role, you'll join one of our UKCS – Regional Scotland teams based in the central belt.

What you'll be doing

As an Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineer, you'll play a key role in the delivery of major infrastructure projects, helping to create and maintain the structures and systems that communities rely on every day. Working across both site and office environments, you'll gain practical experience while developing a strong understanding of engineering principles, design processes, project delivery, and asset management.

Working alongside experienced engineers and project teams, you'll contribute to activities throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and design through to construction and handover. As part of your apprenticeship, you'll combine academic study with practical experience, developing the technical, analytical, and professional skills needed for a career in civil engineering.

• Support day‑to‑day site and office activities while gaining an understanding of how civil engineering projects are delivered.
• Assist with reviewing drawings and basic design information to build your knowledge of engineering standards and practices.
• Help carry out health and safety checks, including taking part in site inspections and learning how risks are identified and managed.
• Read and understand engineering drawings, plans, and specifications.

Alongside your role, you'll attend university on day release and work towards a Graduate Apprenticeship in BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering.

Who we're looking for

We value your potential over experience. If you are self‑motivated, proactive, and eager to start a career in our industry, this role could be for you.

For a Graduate Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering, you will need:

• A minimum of four SQA Highers at BBBC, including Maths (Higher Application of Maths not accepted).

We’d also love to receive your application if you:

• Are keen to learn and develop new skills.
• Enjoy solving problems and finding practical solutions.
• Work well with others and contribute positively to a team.
• Communicate clearly and effectively.
• Show initiative, adapt to challenges and take pride in achieving results.

Why work for us as an Apprentice

• Earn while you learn, gaining hands‑on experience while working towards fully funded, industry‑recognised qualifications.
• Work on impactful projects that help shape communities, while building your career with one of the UK's leading infrastructure groups.
• Learn from experienced professionals who will support your development through mentoring, coaching and on‑the‑job learning.
• Take part in unique development opportunities, including residential programmes in the Lake District and personal development experiences delivered by our external partners.
• Build the foundations for a long‑term career, with support towards professional membership and chartership or professional registration where relevant to your role.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits, giving you the freedom to shape a rewards package that works for you.
• 25 days’ holiday, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
• A permanent contract from day one, reflecting our commitment to your long‑term career.
• Clear progression opportunities, with bi‑annual performance and pay reviews throughout your programme.
• Opportunities to come together with peers, including welcome events and to celebrate your journey at the end‑of‑programme Early Careers Showcase.

About us

The Regional Scotland business delivers the buildings and infrastructure that communities across Scotland rely on every day. It plays an important role in supporting economic growth, improving public services and creating lasting social value.

At Balfour Beatty, we have been delivering complex and critical infrastructure across Scotland for more than a century, from healthcare and education facilities to transport and civil engineering projects.

Our award‑winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit schemes, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland's transition towards a more sustainable future.

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We're committed to making our recruitment process as inclusive as possible. If you need any adjustments, please let us know at any stage of the process.