Ports Engineering Apprentice - Plymouth (2027 Start)

AECOM; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking enthusiastic Ports Engineering Apprentices to join our Plymouth team. You’ll support planning, design and development of maritime infrastructure, gaining hands-on experience on live projects with guidance from experienced engineers.

This apprenticeship blends on-the-job learning, formal training and mentoring toward a recognised qualification, with opportunities to work across multidisciplinary teams and develop CAD/BIM skills.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs minimum, including Maths and English, at grade C/4 or above.
• Three A-Levels (or equivalent) including Maths and a physical science if required.
• Interest in civil, coastal or ports engineering and readiness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist with engineering drawings, plans, models and documentation.
• Support design and development of port, harbour and waterfront infrastructure.
• Prepare technical calculations and design information as required.
• Collect and interpret site and survey data for projects.
• Support creation of technical reports and project deliverables.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across projects.
• Maintain accurate project records and assist administration.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication

Microsoft Office

CAD

3D modelling

BIM

Education

GCSEs with Maths & English

Three A-Levels or equivalent (e.g., BTEC Level 3 in Civil Engineering)

Tools

CAD

3D modelling

BIM tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ports Engineering Apprentice - Plymouth (2027 Start)

• Full-time
• State/Province: Glasgow City
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Limited
• Business Line: Transportation
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: UK - Glasgow - 177 Bothwell Street

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

About the Role

AECOM is looking for enthusiastic and motivated apprentices to join our Ports Engineering teams. You’ll support a diverse range of projects involving the planning, design and development of maritime and coastal infrastructure, helping to deliver safe, resilient and sustainable solutions for ports, harbours and waterfront environments.

You’ll work alongside experienced engineers and other technical professionals in multidisciplinary teams, gaining practical experience across the project lifecycle. Through on-the-job learning, formal training and mentoring, you’ll develop your technical skills and knowledge while working towards a recognised qualification and building a career in Ports Engineering.

What You’ll Do

As a Ports Engineering Apprentice, you’ll work closely with experienced engineers who will provide guidance and support as you develop your skills. Your responsibilities will grow as your knowledge and confidence develop, giving you increasing exposure to live projects and technical work.

You’ll gain experience using industry-standard engineering, design and modelling software, as well as digital engineering and BIM tools, depending on project requirements.

Your work may include:

• Assisting with the preparation of engineering drawings, plans, models and supporting documentation.
• Supporting the design and development of port, harbour, marine and waterfront infrastructure.
• Assisting with the preparation of technical calculations, specifications and design information.
• Helping to collect, analyse and interpret site, survey and engineering data.
• Supporting the assessment and development of solutions for existing and new maritime infrastructure.
• Participating in site visits, surveys and inspections to gather information and understand existing conditions.
• Assisting with technical reports, presentations and other project deliverables.
• Working collaboratively with engineers, designers and other technical professionals across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Supporting project administration and maintaining accurate project records.
• Developing your understanding of relevant engineering standards, guidance, legislation and industry best practice.

As you progress through your apprenticeship, you’ll be encouraged to take on greater responsibility and contribute more independently to project tasks and technical deliverables.

You may also have opportunities to work alongside other engineering disciplines, providing exposure to a broad range of infrastructure and development projects.

This role is ideal for school leavers with GCSEs, A-Levels or equivalent qualifications who can demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English.
• Three A-Levels (or equivalent, such as a BTEC Level 3 in Civil Engineering), including Mathematics and a physical science at grade C or above, where required for the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
• An interest in civil, structural, coastal, marine or ports engineering and a desire to build a career in the industry.
• An aptitude for technical software, engineering design and drawing, with an interest in CAD, 3D modelling or BIM.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• An interest in infrastructure, sustainability, resilience and the development of the built environment.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate initiative when working independently.
• Enthusiasm, adaptability and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• A creative and practical approach to problem-solving.
• Must be eligible and able to obtain Security Clearance (SC level)

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options.Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are aDisabilityConfidentEmployer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [emailprotected] if you would like to apply through theDisabilityConfidentInterview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.