Industrial Placement Student - Sustainability

Kier Group; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK contractor is seeking a Sustainability Student for a placement in Coventry. This role offers hands-on experience in environmental management, project execution, and skill development within the construction industry. Ideal candidates are pursuing a degree in Environmental or Sustainability fields with a strong interest in developing sustainability strategies. The position is for 12 months and offers a salary of £26,208 per annum.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme

Variety of flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Must be a student with an option or requirement to complete a placement year.
• Strong interest in sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.
• Desire to learn and develop within the field.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and execution of environmental projects.
• Support project environment team and wider business functions.
• Conduct research and prepare reports related to project activities.

Skills

Environmental management

Data/statistical analysis

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Organisational skills

Time management

Education

Degree in Environmental or Sustainability focus

Job description

Overview

We\'re looking for a Sustainability Student to join our Construction team based in Coventry for an Industrial Placement.

Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more. It is a leading UK national contractor delivering projects of all sizes and complexities in the public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, defence and justice and borders. We design and deliver buildings that are key to the UK\'s infrastructure, from hospitals and treatment centres to schools, leisure centres and prisons. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading construction and infrastructure services company on our placement programme designed to provide experiences and tools for progression within your chosen career.

Location: Coventry with flexibility to travel/relocate across the region

Starting Salary: £26,208 per annum

Pathway: 12 Months - 40hrs per week, with the potential to lead onto a Graduate position

Starting date: September 2026

Sponsorship: We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

What you will be responsible for

As a Sustainability Industrial Placement, you\'ll be working within the Construction team on our University of Warwick STEM contract. You\'ll be exposed to a variety of activities related to environmental management on a construction project. Environmental topics likely to be covered during the placement include ecology, monitoring & data, audits & compliance, innovation & carbon, water & waste management, and sustainable design.

What will your day-to-day duties include

• Assisting in the planning, execution, and management of projects relevant to your field of study.
• Supporting the project environment team, and wider business environmental function.
• Collaborating with team members and stakeholders to support project objectives.
• Conducting research and analysis to inform project decisions and strategies.
• Preparing reports, presentations, and documentation related to project activities.
• Participating in team meetings and contribute to problem-solving and decision-making processes.
• Gaining exposure to various aspects of the project, including design, project management, and client relations.
• Supporting the implementation of new processes, technologies, or strategies on the project.
• Engaging in continuous learning and development opportunities provided by the company.

How does an Industrial Placement work

Kier is committed to encouraging talent and providing opportunities for growth and development. When you join, you will be enrolled onto our industrial placement scheme. The programme will take 12 months to complete and has been designed to immerse you in the world of construction, giving you real-world experiences to support the rest of your degree.

What are the benefits for you

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands-on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths.

What are we looking for

We\'re on the lookout for students undertaking a degree in Environmental or Sustainability focus or a related field, who have the option or requirement to complete a placement year from 2026 - 2027. After your placement, you\'ll be returning to university with a graduation year of 2028.

The role of a Sustainability Industrial Placement is great for you if

• Strong interest in environmental management, developing sustainability strategies and reducing carbon footprint.
• Desire to learn and continuously develop, with an ability to challenge established processes and policies, identifying more effective solutions.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Data/statistical analysis, reporting, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Rewards and benefits

We are proud to offer a variety of flexible benefits that you can tailor to your needs. See more information about benefits in our materials.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority. Our employees shape Kier\'s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people\'s experiences inform our policies. You can see our D&I action plan in our materials.

It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations we reserve the right to close adverts early.

Recruitment timeline

Sept - Oct 2025: Initial applications. November 2025: Application reviews. January 2026 onwards: Interviews.