Apprenticeships
We recruit for a wide number of different apprenticeships (level two through to seven) from administration and finance to civil engineering and materials technicians. A competitive salary and a great benefits package is on offer.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a combination of employment and formally recognised training that is available to anyone entitled to work in the UK. As an apprentice you would study towards nationally recognised qualifications, whilst working on your project.
Apprentices complete a programme of training which may last from 12– 60 months, depending on the level of study being undertaken. You will then be required to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) which is a fundamental part of the apprenticeship award. EPA may take up to an additional six months after completion of formal training and will take the form of a final exam/assessment.
Why choose an apprenticeship with Costain?
Our apprentice programmes offer you the opportunity to continue working towards a recognised qualification, whilst working alongside highly skilled people who can help you develop and grow into the discipline of your choice.
- You’ll work on some of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects across a variety of industry sectors
- A structured development programme, including academic study and on the job experience, leading to a certificated recognised apprenticeship
- As an apprentice within Costain you will operate as a fully integrated member of the team, whose input and contribution will be valued alongside your colleagues.
- Support to achieve professional membership of a relevant institution
- A range of training providers at locations across the UK
- Competitive salary with two pay reviews per year
- You will be working with people that want you to succeed. We have a dedicated early careers team and local site support for apprentices.
Life as an apprentice
Lacey is an apprentice civil engineer who joined Costain after working as a Document Controller on a roads project. She's now in the water sector and completed her first year as part of the team delivering for United Utilities.
Samuel is an apprentice civil engineer currently working on the Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) for Anglian Water. In this interview, he tells us about the apprenticeship programme he is on and why he chose this route to start his career.
Bianca is a trainee engineer, working for Costain as part of the Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture on the HS2 high-speed rail line. Here, she tells us why she chose to start her career with an apprenticeship and outlines some of the lessons she’s learned during five years on the job.
How to apply
Our apprentice vacancies open from November through to April with onboarding through July and August for the start of the academic year in September.
Candidates who are successful will be registered with a training provider who will deliver the academic element and formal certificates for the apprenticeship. Training providers can be either colleges, commercial training providers or universities. The training provider selected for your apprenticeship will depend on the discipline, the level of your apprenticeship and the delivery method most suitable.
To view and apply to the current apprenticeships available please click here
Step one - apply online
You will need to upload a covering letter and your CV. It’s always a good idea to include a cover letter with your application as this gives us an insight into why you are applying, and what interests you have that motivated you to apply for an apprenticeship. We understand that as an apprentice applicant you may not have a lot of work experience and so it’s good understand a bit more about who you are and your ambitions.
Step two – interview/assessment centre
If successful and shortlisted, you will be invited to attend either an interview or an assessment centre. Take a look at our useful tips below on how to prepare for an interview.
How to prepare for an interview:
Your interview/assessment may be in person or virtual through media such as MS Teams or Zoom.
- Make sure you read information about us on our website and the areas we work in, but more specifically, the information provided about the scheme you're applying for
- Investigate the type of job you will be doing and research what is included in the apprenticeship. You can find lots of detail about apprenticeships here.
- Be sure to talk about what appeals to you about the role
- Understand the key competencies and behaviours we're looking for and be ready to tell us about how you demonstrate them
- Think about your own strengths, how they fit into the role (and Costain), and try to think of examples of how you have successfully used these in the past
- We want to see your energy, enthusiasm and passion for becoming a Costain apprentice, so make sure you know how to show us your motivation
- If your invite is for a virtual event, check your IT in advance making sure your camera and audio are all in working order and ensure that you are on camera unless asked to do otherwise.
Step three - offer
We will let you know as soon as possible if you have been successful or not. At offer stage we will ask you for a copy of your passport (or alternative identification) and any right to work documentation you may have, for verification purposes before confirming the actual offer and the start date.
Our early careers team will then support you as you join the business, transition into your new role and begin your training programme.