Project Controls Graduate Programme

targetjobs UK; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Generous pension

Employee share schemes

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing support

STEM outreach

Job summary

Babcock is recruiting for a Project Controls Graduate Programme across Scotland and England. You will rotate through Planning, Cost, Risk and Reporting, building a solid foundation in project control methods and tools while supporting complex defence programmes.

You’ll gain experience in scheduling, forecasting, governance and performance reporting, with mentorship and masterclasses to accelerate your development in a multi-disciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in one of the listed subjects, with strong numerical and analytical ability.
• Structured Graduate Programme with placements across Planning, Cost, Risk and Reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project schedules and progress tracking.
• Monitor costs and progress against budgets and plans.
• Assess risks and opportunities and inform decision-making.
• Analyse project data and produce forecasts and reports for governance.
• Support delivery of projects across lifecycle.

Skills

Forecasting

Cost management

Risk management

Data analysis

Scheduling

Governance

Reporting

Education

Degree in Risk Management/Construction/Finance/Economics/Engineering

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

What will you do on the programme?

On our Project Controls Graduate Programme, you'll help keep critical defence programmes on track, within budget and delivering against their objectives.

As part of Project Controls, you'll help provide the analysis and forecasting that enables teams to understand performance, manage risk and plan effectively. You'll gain experience of how schedule, cost, risk and performance data is used to support the successful delivery of complex projects.

Working as part of integrated project teams, you'll help develop and maintain schedules, monitor costs and progress, assess risks and opportunities, analyse project data, and produce forecasts and reports that support effective governance and decision-making.

How is the programme structured?

Over two years, you'll build a strong foundation in Project Controls, developing an understanding of the processes, tools and techniques used to deliver complex projects.

You’ll complete a series of placements, each lasting up to six months, across disciplines including Planning & Scheduling, Cost Management, Risk & Opportunity Management, Project Reporting, Governance and Assurance. These rotations will give you the opportunity to apply your learning on live projects and gain experience across the project lifecycle.

As you progress, you'll take on increasing responsibility and develop the technical, commercial and analytical skills needed for a successful career in Project Controls. career goals, helping you build relevant experience in areas that matter most to you.

How do we develop and support you?

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.

You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.

Alongside this, you'll receive technical training in core Project Controls methodologies and tools, with focused development in areas such as planning and scheduling, forecasting, risk management and performance reporting. Regular feedback and support towards professional accreditation will help you apply your learning in practice, strengthen your expertise and accelerate your development as a Project Controls professional.

What’s waiting for you after the programme?

Once you successfully complete the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to move into a permanent role within our Project Controls discipline. You’ll have the flexibility to develop as a broad Project Controls professional or specialise in a specific area such as Planning, Cost Control or Risk Management.

From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

What rewards and benefits will you get?

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.

In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays


• Generous pension and employee share schemes


• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts


• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.

You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.

What do you need to apply?

• You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a degree in one of the following subjects: Risk Management, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Finance, Economics, Project Management, Data Science, Maths, Statistics, Business Management, Information/IT Management, Sciences, or Engineering.


• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions, meaning your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or any residency you hold or have held may impact your eligibility. Restrictions may vary depending on the business area or location in which you work, so please refer to the relevant job advert for full details before applying.

Where will you be based?

Places on our Project Controls programme for September 2027 are available at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland and Bristol in England.

Agile working is supported, but regular onsite attendance will be expected, to meet the requirements of the business.

When you successfully complete the programme, you will have the opportunity to continue at the same location, so it’s important you consider this when applying.

Marine/Nuclear – HM Naval Base Clyde, Scotland

Babcock’s HM Naval Base Clyde operation provides highly specialist engineering support services, including the management of critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities. We also deliver operational maintenance, upgrades and repairs to support Royal Navy vessels, including the Vanguard and Astute-class submarines based in Scotland.

In this location, you could support a wide range of programmes and projects, from infrastructure and facilities upgrades to submarine maintenance, sustainment and capability enhancement activities. Working within a highly regulated environment, you’ll gain exposure to projects that play a vital role in supporting the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet and the UK’s defence capability.

Mission Technologies – Bristol

If you’re interested in advanced manufacturing and disruptive technologies, Mission Technologies is where you’ll thrive. Based in Bristol, you could contribute to the delivery of advanced communications systems, electronic warfare capabilities, or satellite operations supporting national defence.

Here, you’ll be involved in a diverse portfolio of innovative programmes, helping to support the development and delivery of technologies that operate across land, sea, air and space. It’s an opportunity to contribute complex projects that support customers across the UK and around the world.

We’re a Disability Confident Employer.

We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive.

We are happy to talk about flexible working.