Apprentice & Graduate Programme of the Year

This category is open to all types of companies working in the ground engineering industry that can demonstrate success in an apprentice and graduate recruitment programme between January 2024 and January 2025. Entrants should highlight why apprentice recruitment has been successful in their firm and evidence initiatives that have improved the apprentice experience with demonstrable success.

AtkinsRéalis
Ground engineering and tunnelling apprentice programme

Throughout 2024, the AtkinsRéalis Ground Engineering and Tunnelling Apprenticeship Programme has been successful in recruiting, supporting and developing the future leaders of our industry. We have provided support and learning above standard apprenticeship programmes, through our Ground Engineering Academy. Our apprenticeship hub provides additional resources for our apprentices and their mentors to ensure consistent development and opportunities for career progression, such as IEng workshops and apprentice guidance and training. The Ground Engineering and Tunnelling Academy is a unique component of our apprentice programme, which gives apprentices the opportunity to be involved in the committee. This allows them to have an influence in their own training journey. These apprentices are involved in company initiatives, such as organisation of the annual fieldtrip and other local trips, updating and production of key training resources and production of guidance. It is also a great opportunity to gain confidence in presenting and chairing meetings.

Bachy Soletanche
Plant maintenance technician apprentice programme

Bachy Soletanche’s Plant Maintenance Technician Apprentice Programme offers a comprehensive, hands-on training experience. Apprentices gain expertise in mechanical, electrical and hydraulic plant maintenance while acquiring skills in fabrication, welding and machinery operation. The programme offers the opportunity to gain additional qualifications and certifications like MEWP and forklift licenses. Apprentices work with a diverse fleet and are closely mentored with gradually increasing responsibilities, including supporting live projects such as HS2. In addition to technical training, apprentices receive assistance with college coursework, wellbeing support and soft skills development. Unique opportunities include international visits and expert-led training sessions. To attract new talent, the company has launched an effective recruitment programme, including a brochure, video, career fairs and open days, ensuring a steady pipeline of future apprentices.

BakerHicks
Graduate programme

BakerHicks Learning and Development team have worked closely with the leadership team and staff through company-wide surveys to align learning initiatives for all employees with the company goals and HR strategy. This has been completed through the following initiatives: BakerHicks Graduate Scheme, Ground Engineering Graduate Programme, Promotions/Chartership, Training Academy and Lunch & Learns. The Ground Engineering team consists of 18 members, including five employees who have successfully completed the company’s graduate scheme. Over the past five years, 16% of staff have achieved their chartership status and one member achieved FICE status. Five people have been promoted, with three team members shortlisted in the BakerHicks UK Staff Recognition Awards over the past year. The Ground Engineering team also support specific technical development through monthly “Lunch & Learn” sessions presented by graduate and senior colleagues to share skillsets.

Bam Ritchies
IOM3 ground engineering training scheme

BAM Ritchies Ground Engineering Training Scheme is a standout example of structured, inclusive career development. Accredited by IOM3 since 2013 and re-accredited in 2025, the scheme nurtures specialist talent through flexible mentoring, strong internal support, and a pressure-free registration process. It fosters professional growth at all levels, supporting NVQ achievements, Engineering Technician (EngTech) registrations, and alternative pathways to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. The scheme has enabled 45 EngTech registrations, with 18 site supervisors starting as drillers, and has expanded to include CSci, RSci, and REnvP pathways. BAM Ritchies investment in resources and team-driven approach have been commended by IOM3, reinforcing its commitment to excellence. With a 100% professional interview success rate, the scheme continues to empower individuals and strengthen the future of ground engineering.

Geoquip Marine
Building a geotechnical engineer: Empowering graduates

Our innovative graduate recruitment strategy in 2024 exemplifies our commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining the most suitable and diverse talent. By prioritising inclusivity, creativity, and hands-on experiences, we have successfully increased graduate hires from three in 2023 to thirteen in 2024. Our standout initiatives include reimagined career fair displays, a people-focused recruitment process leveraging software, and a deliberate move away from traditional aptitude tests to better support neurodiverse candidates. We strengthened outreach through academic collaborations and industry partnerships, hiring our first geotechnical work experience student and delivering inspiring guest lectures. Our graduates engage in diverse workstreams, including technical office tasks, laboratory testing, and offshore fieldwork, ensuring robust professional growth. Testimonials from graduates like Cairns Sham and Hannah Mason affirm the value of our approach, highlighting confidence-building and skill acquisition in real-world settings. With inclusivity and development at our core, Geoquip Marine is setting a new standard in graduate recruitment.

Penguin Recruitment
GeoFirst graduate recruitment programme

Penguin Recruitment is proud to present GeoFirst, an innovative graduate recruitment programme designed to help graduates transition into the geo sector, including ground engineering roles. GeoFirst offers research-driven resources, such as advisory guides on topics like job hunting, employer types, salary expectations, and interview preparation. Based on insights from extensive surveys with current geo professionals, these guides provide graduates with a competitive edge by equipping them with real-world knowledge about the industry. GeoFirst has been widely praised by universities across the UK, with hundreds of graduates downloading our guides and using them to kickstart their careers. In addition to educational resources, Penguin Recruitment provides personalised support to graduates, guiding them through the application and interview process to ensure success. GeoFirst delivers real results, helping graduates secure their first jobs and empowering them to build lasting careers in the geo sector.

United Utilities
Ground engineering graduate development programme

It is the extensive training, encouragement, development opportunities , experience and knowledge that our graduates gain that makes the UU Ground Engineering Graduate Development Programme worthy of recognition. The programme provides opportunities to work on geotechnical, geoenvironmental and reservoir safety projects of varying sizes and complexity. They receive continued support and encouragement by team members to mentor them through UUs accredited training scheme and work towards gaining Professional qualifications. During their 3 year programme, graduates are provided 3-6month placements within the specific disciplines of the team but also within wider areas of the business allowing them to develop their knowledge and experience. Within the first and second year of the scheme, as a cohort, they are tasked with developing innovate solutions for technical challenges, set by UUs CEO, that the water industry currently face. This gives them exposure to the industry early in their career and deliver real life initiatives.