2024 Graduate Development Programme – Graduate Nuclear Engineer or Consultant – Earth & Environment

What if you could embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates different perspectives?

With us, you can

In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2024 and beyond…

We are a leading global engineering and professional services firm committed to creating a sustainable future for our communities and the environment. We value our people and our reputation. Having a diverse and robust workforce enables us to look for answers, not problems, and we pride ourselves on offering clients clever, imaginative, future-facing solutions. We believe in the power of effective communication, and we encourage you to participate and contribute to the success of our projects and initiative.

The UK WSP permitting team specializes in providing technical support to a wide range of private and public sector clients, across both nuclear and conventional permitting sectors. We are an established and commercially focused front end consultancy team who advise on environmental permitting and legal compliance throughout all stages of a project’s operational lifecycle and permitting process. Clients include Sizewell, Sellafield, Nuclear Waste Services, Essar Energy Transition, Drax, Biffa, Evero, Dairy Crest, Renewi, Mars and many others.

Our projects range from the technical support and writing of nuclear management systems and manuals, environment and safety cases, nuclear new build technical and permitting support, decommissioning strategies and implementation, writing bespoke permit applications, environmental risk assessments, auditing and inspection of sites and management systems, due diligence reviews and technical feasibility studies across a diverse and wide range of sectors including, nuclear, petrochemical, combustion, incineration, food and drink, waste and chemicals.

Join us at WSP, not just to build a career, but to sculpt a legacy, champion growth, and thrive within a community that values your potential. The journey starts here, and the possibilities are endless.

Your New Role what’s involved?

A graduate would support with tasks such as preparation of data entry / assessments / manipulation, environmental screening exercises, writing of environmental reports to support permit applications, research, preparation of presentation slides, engagement with stakeholders. Specific to the Major Permissions Project there is a need and scope for graduate support across permit applications, permit integration and the development of management arrangements. The graduate will develop key project management experience and assist in tracking and co-ordinating tasks.

The graduate would be trained on WSP’s systems, and support project managers with tracking, AFP preparation and general PM activities. Over time, the Graduate would manage smaller projects across conventional and nuclear clients, enabling the more experienced project managers to take on higher risk projects.

We are proud to be involved in leading some of the largest and most high-profile schemes across the UK regions, which include:

• Nuclear Waste Services, award of a 10-year contract for technical support in the design, development, and progression of a Geological Disposal Facility.
• Sizewell C, self-assessments (nuclear site licensing), RSR compliance support work (main site), permitting and technical support for both main site and Associated Developments for the nuclear new build plant.
• Sellafield Limited, environmental, and technical support of site management and decommissioning activities.
• INBECCS Carbon Capture Plant – technical support and permitting of full scale carbon capture plant.
• Essar Energy Transistion, preferred supplier for environmental services, current projects include the technical support and permitting of hydrogen production plant and conversion of CHP plant to hydrogen fuel source.

All in a day’s work

Our Graduates told us the best part of being on the Graduate Development Programme is the support for their own personal development and large network available to them.

They also told us they had the chance to work on a wide variety of projects enabling them to work closely with other disciplines, and allowing them to gain a better understanding of their role on projects and how this enhances the schemes they are involved in. As well the large pool of technical experts to guide them throughout their journey.

You could be involved in development proposals, discussing options for concept designs with colleagues, responding to client requests for information or meetings with the team about the scope and progress of projects.

Naturally, there is a lot to learn, however, the support network available, assists and encourages our early career professionals and offers a wide range of activities. Including social events and many opportunities to assist with team building outside of the work environment.

What you’ll need

• You’ll be graduating in 2024 or have recently graduated with at least a 2:1 in a Environmental Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Nuclear Technology, Nuclear Environmental Science, Physics with Nuclear Technology or Radiological Protection Management.
• a desire to learn and contribute to the on-going success of WSP Nuclear and defence
• You'll be looking to start work in September 2024
• You’ll have strong interpersonal skills,
• You’ll have the ability to work effectively in a team, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to project environments,
• You’ll have the creativity to solve problems
• You’ll want to stretch and inspire us, sharing new ideas you have
• You’ll have the ability to manage your own time and plan your workload effectively.

Please be aware behavioural assessment results at WSP are valid for a period of 12 months, if you have completed an assessment within this timeframe and been unsuccessful, we will not be able to consider your application.

Early applications are recommended, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised closing date.

What you’ll get from us

At WSP, we care about individuals and their progress, and we are committed to your continuous growth and development. Through our comprehensive professional development programme, you will have the opportunity to work towards chartership and unlock your full potential as an industry professional.

We have established relationships with professional institutions including ICE, IStructE, IET, CIBSE, CIHT, CILT, IMechE, IChemE, CIWEM, RICS, RTPI, SocEnv & APM. You will have the opportunity to select a technical mentor to help you on your journey, and to reward you for your efforts, (when you reach certain professional milestones, you’ll even get a bonus as a thank you and well done for your hard work). We are also able to support professional development with many other approved professional institutions that may not be included in this list.

The programme is a blended learning experience and includes cohort events, core behavioural training modules, professional registration mentoring and on-the-job experience. The structured training programme includes but is not limited to training in: -

Project Management, Team specific technical skills, Client and Customer Care, Collaborative working. Commercial Concepts, Career Development…and lots more!

Our unique Professional Growth Network (PGN) is a networking group run by early career professionals for early career professionals. It helps to grow your network of contacts across the business as well as providing you with opportunities for extra experience and to support you in achieving chartered status or other professional accreditations.

How long does the process take?

You'll receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application within 48 hours of submission. After reviewing your application, if we feel your background and skills are suitable, you will be sent through to the second stage in the process which is an online behavioural assessment.

If you are successful after completing the assessment, we will be work hard to match you to the most suitable roles in our business.

Most applications complete initial assessments and are progressed to the next stage which is an interview day, within 8 weeks but it’s good to know that the whole process can last up to 12 weeks in total if you're an early applicant. We will aim to keep you informed throughout the time that your application is being considered however, due to the volume of applications received, we are not able to respond to individual requests for status updates.

Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the "WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring.

Apply now and be the future of WSP!

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.