Graduate Site Management

Cooper & Hall Limited; Sunderland, Hindley, Warrington; Remote; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Car allowance

Health & wellness programme

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday Day off

Job summary

Wates in Sunderland offers a Site Management (Production) Trainee programme, delivering hands-on experience in planning, coordinating and delivering construction projects from start to finish. You’ll learn site operations, health and safety, project planning, quality management and stakeholder coordination on live projects, while building leadership and problem‑solving skills.

You’ll work closely with subcontractors, clients and the project team to ensure works are on time, within budget and to

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in a career in the built environment.
• Willingness to learn and develop professionally.
• Ability to work in teams and on site projects.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day site management and coordination of construction activities.
• Uphold highest health, safety, wellbeing and environmental standards.
• Work with subcontractors and supply chain to meet project requirements.
• Develop relationships with clients, designers and project teams.
• Assist with planning and monitoring project programmes to meet schedule and budget.
• Support quality inspections and site checks against specifications.
• Learn construction methods and sequencing across project stages.
• Engage with commercial teams to understand project costs.

Skills

Passion for built environment

Curiosity and willingness to learn

Relationship building

Ownership and professionalism

Problem-solving mindset

Organised and adaptable

Education

Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or above)

Tools

Digital construction tools

Job description

About Wates

Established in 1897, we are one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. With 6,000 employees and now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we’re committed to the long‑term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusiveand representative of the communities we work in.

With multiple businesses working across the built environment, we can offer a wide range of career opportunities.

As part of our trainee programme, you'll join a network of around 200 peers, learning and working together as you build connections and develop your career at Wates.

About the opportunity:

As a Site Management (Production) Trainee, you will play an important role in the successful delivery of construction projects, helping to ensure work is completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. Based on site and working alongside experienced site managers and project teams, you will gain hands‑on experience of how construction projects are planned, coordinated and delivered from start to finish.

Throughout the programme, you will develop an understanding of site operations, health and safety, project planning, quality management and stakeholder coordination. You will work closely with subcontractors, supply chain partners, commercial teams and clients, building the technical knowledge and leadership skills required for a successful career in construction management.

What you will do:

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Support the day‑to‑day management and coordination of construction activities on site.

• Promote and uphold Wates' commitment to the highest standards of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental sustainability.

• Work closely with subcontractors and supply chain partners to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and in line with project requirements.

• Develop strong working relationships with clients, designers, consultants and colleagues across the project team.

• Assist with planning and monitoring project programmes, helping to ensure works are delivered on schedule and within budget.

• Support quality inspections and site checks to ensure works meet required specifications and standards.

• Gain an understanding of construction methods, technical processes and the sequencing of works across different stages of a project.

• Work alongside commercial teams and surveyors to understand how project costs are managed and controlled.

• Contribute to site meetings, progress reporting and project coordination activities.

• Develop knowledge of digital construction tools, software and emerging technologies used to improve project delivery.

• Build the leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills needed to effectively manage teams and construction activities on site.

• Gain the relevant technical and behavioural knowledge for your role, through the completion of a technical manual, behavioural workshops, short‑term placements and relevant qualifications.

About you:

To be successful, you’ll:

• Be passionate about building a career in the built environment.

• Be curious, eager to learn and committed to your personal development.

• Build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.

• Take ownership of your work and act with integrity and professionalism.

• Approach challenges with a positive, solution‑focused mindset.

• Be organised, adaptable and able to prioritise effectively.

• Be committed to delivering high standards and making a positive impact.

What's in it for you?

At Wates, we're committed to helping you build a successful career in construction. Alongside hands‑on experience in your chosen career pathway, graduates who do not hold a degree in a construction‑related subject will be enrolled onto a relevant Level 4 apprenticeship, providing additional learning and development to help accelerate your career in the built environment.

You'll also benefit from mentoring, structured training, behavioural workshops and support from experienced professionals throughout your programme. We encourage and support our trainees to continue their professional development through industry‑recognised qualifications and, where applicable, work towards chartership.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary

• Private medical insurance

• Car allowance

• Health & wellness programme

• 26 days holiday + bank holidays

• Birthday Day off

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you must:

• By September 2027, you must have obtained a bachelor's degree with a predicted or achieved classification of 2:2 or above.

• A full UK driving licence is required for roles in Sunderland, Hindley, Warrington.

Location: Guilford, Sunderland, London, Hindley, Warrington

For site‑based roles, the location listed in this advert reflects your initial placement and may change throughout the programme depending on project and business requirements.

Important: Travel Requirements

As a project‑based business, our teams work across a variety of locations. Depending on the role, you may be required to work from different project sites within the region or nationally throughout the programme.

Please carefully consider this requirement before applying, as travel and mobility are essential parts of the role. Successful candidates must be willing to travel in line with project and business need.

Applications close on 17th November 2026.