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.
Our apprentice programmes offer you the opportunity to continue your formal academic studies working towards a recognised qualification, whilst working alongside highly skilled people all eager to help you to develop and grow into the discipline of your choice.
Why choose an apprenticeship with Costain?
- A structured development programme, including academic study and on the job experience, leading to a certificated recognised apprenticeship
- Support to achieve professional membership of a relevant institution
- Work opportunities in a diverse range of market sectors and locations
- You’ll be part of a new and exciting career development programme within one of the UK’s Most Admired Companies
- Competitive salary with two pay reviews per year
- Dedicated central early careers team and local site support for apprentices.
Life as an apprentice
Melissa is an integration engineer, working in our technology centre in Worle, North Somerset. She started her career as an apprentice. Three years on, she reflects on her experience and tells us how she got involved in one of our most important projects of the past 12 months.
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.
We’re collaborating with our partners across industry to identify smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions. That includes working with apprentices at the School of Automation (SoA) in Glasgow to develop technologies such as robotic process automation.
Application process
Our apprentice vacancies will open in the fourth quarter of each year and we aim to close early in the first quarter of the following year.
Applications will be sifted for suitability and then passed to line managers who will short list those candidates they would like to invite to interview and or assessment centre.
Successful applicants who are invited to attend an interview/assessment centre will be advised of the outcome and a start date agreed with the hiring project and the candidate.
We aim to onboard our annual cohort through July/August/September for a start at college in September, but there may other opportunities available throughout the year depending on the apprentice training provider/college.
To view the current apprenticeships available and to apply to be considered for the Costain apprentice programme, please click here
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.
How to apply for an apprenticeship with Costain:
Step one - apply online
Click here and upload your CV and covering letter. It is always a good idea to include a cover letter with your application as this give an insight as to 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 for us to know what you really want from a job.
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 through all the information about us on our website about us and how we work, 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 it is that appeals to you about the role
- Understand the key competencies and behaviours we're looking for
- 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 and will follow the verbal offer. 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.
In the run up to your start or perhaps even after you have started, the early careers team will work with you and your line manager to register you with the appropriate training provider.