- 50 apprentices are beginning careers at Costain across its infrastructure projects
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, is welcoming a record number of apprentices in 2026 to support its delivery of critical national infrastructure across the UK.
Costain is onboarding 50 apprentices this year, doubling last year’s intake in response to growth in its volume of long-term infrastructure projects and commitment to building a growing pipeline of talent, offering them rewarding and fulfilling long-term careers.
The hiring activity is taking place across all of Costain’s infrastructure sectors, which include road, rail, integrated transport, energy, water, and defence and nuclear energy, and in a variety of disciplines, such as civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, finance and project management. Costain offers all levels of apprenticeship in the UK, including degree-level, and each apprentice will ‘earn and learn’, completing a programme of training which lasts from 12–60 months, depending on the level of study.
Costain also recruits for graduates, internships and university placements across its sectors and has a Graduates and Apprentices (GRaAPS) network to support professional development.
Costain’s apprentices will join some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. These include delivering the London tunnels section of HS2 as part of the Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, strategic water infrastructure through long-term AMP8 frameworks with Southern Water and United Utilities, and critical utilities infrastructure upgrades for Sellafield.
More details on Costain’s planned early careers and apprenticeship intake for 2027 and how to apply will be released in November.
Catherine Duffy, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Costain, said: “I’m extremely proud to be welcoming a record number of apprentices into Costain. The industry requires more skilled workers than ever to deliver critical infrastructure for a more prosperous, resilient and decarbonised UK, which makes it a hugely exciting time to enter the sector.
“Our apprentice programme underscores our commitment to offering vocational routes into employment. It is designed to help apprentices earn while they learn and gain qualifications with real-world experience to help them build a meaningful, long-term career.”
Ella Williams, Apprentice Project Controls Engineer and member of the GRaAPS network at Costain, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be part of a growing group of like-minded, ambitious early careers professionals. Throughout my apprenticeship at Costain I have been fortunate enough to work on complex infrastructure projects which have given opportunities to learn, develop and apply myself in a collaborative, stimulating environment.”
Apprentice intake at Sellafield to support skills development and regional prosperity
Costain’s apprentices hired to work at Sellafield’s west Cumbria site will gain experience in complex infrastructure works through roles in engineering, project controls and health and safety. They will support the delivery of services through the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP), where Costain is providing critical utilities upgrades under a minimum nine-year contract worth up to £1bn.
The hiring activity by Costain has been informed by detailed analysis of where skills gaps have historically existed in the region and supports Sellafield’s commitment to create a thriving and sustainable local community. This involves developing a skilled labour pool, which local businesses can also access, providing opportunities for early careers professionals and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds across Cumbria. The activity also means that Costain is exceeding a commitment for apprentices to comprise 10% of its workforce for IDP.
Claire Gallery-Strong, Project Director at Costain, said: “Together with Sellafield and our IDP partners, we’re committed to offering high-skilled learning and development opportunities for young people in Cumbria and the wider region, supporting a more prosperous, thriving local community and growing the pool of home-grown talent. We’re welcoming a fantastic group who will be delivering against the identified skills gaps and be provided with a range of experiences and guidance from senior colleagues to set them up for success.”
Darcy Williamson, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Apprentice at Costain who has recently joined the IDP programme, said: “Joining Costain as an apprentice has already been a hugely positive experience. I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and as I build my career in SHE, I’m excited to learn from my team, develop my skillset and make the most of the opportunities across Costain and IDP.”
About apprenticeships at Costain
Costain’s apprenticeships are a combination of employment and formally recognised training, available to anyone aged 16 years old or more who is not in full time education and is eligible to work in the UK.
Apprentices are able to ‘earn while they learn’ over a 12-60 month period, studying towards nationally recognised qualifications whilst working as a fully integrated member of a project team.
Costain recruits for a wide number of different apprenticeships from administration and finance to civil engineering and materials technicians.
Discover more about an apprenticeship at Costain here and sign up to hear about future opportunities.
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