Graduate Student Surveyor

About Wates

Established in 1897, we are one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. With 6,000 employees and now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we’re committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusive and representative of the communities we work in.

With multiple businesses working across the built environment, we can offer a wide range of career opportunities.

As part of our trainee programme, you'll join a network of around 200 peers, learning and working together as you build connections and develop your career at Wates.

About the opportunity:

As a Surveyor Trainee, you'll develop the commercial knowledge and practical skills needed to help manage the financial success of construction and engineering projects. Working alongside experienced commercial professionals, you'll gain exposure to project costing, procurement, contract management, financial reporting and risk management, building a strong understanding of the commercial lifecycle of a project.

You'll have the opportunity to work with a range of internal teams, clients and supply chain partners, helping to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and commercially successfully.

What you will do:

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Support the commercial management of projects, helping to monitor costs, budgets and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle

• Assist in the preparation, analysis and reporting of commercial data, ensuring accurate and timely information is provided to project teams and key stakeholders.

• Develop an understanding of forecasting, cash flow management and risk assessment processes, supporting the commercial team in identifying opportunities and mitigating risks.

• Support the procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, including the preparation of tender documentation and commercial evaluations

• Assist with the administration and management of subcontractor accounts, including valuations, payments and contractual documentation.

• Help maintain the financial and contractual position of projects by developing an understanding of contracts, legal obligations, design responsibilities and project progress.

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, subcontractors and supply chain partners.

• Contribute to the preparation and management of commercial documentation, reports and project records.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to team objectives and business goals.

• Gain the relevant technical and behavioural knowledge for your role, through the completion of a technical manual, behavioural workshops, short-term placements and relevant qualifications.

About you:

To be successful on the programme, you'll:

• Be passionate about building a career in the built environment.

• Be curious, eager to learn and committed to your personal development.

• Build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.

• Take ownership of your work and act with integrity and professionalism.

• Approach challenges with a positive, solution-focused mindset.

• Be organised, adaptable and able to prioritise effectively.

• Be committed to delivering high standards and making a positive impact.

What's in it for you?

At Wates, we're committed to helping you build a successful career in construction. Alongside hands-on experience in your chosen career pathway, graduates who do not hold a degree in a construction-related subject will be enrolled onto a relevant Level 4 apprenticeship, providing additional learning and development to help accelerate your career in the built environment.

You'll also benefit from mentoring, structured training, behavioural workshops and support from experienced professionals throughout your programme. We encourage and support our trainees to continue their professional development through industry-recognised qualifications and, where applicable, work towards chartership.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary

• Private medical insurance

• Car allowance

• Health & wellness programme

• 26 days holiday + bank holidays

• Birthday Day off

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you must:

• By September 2027, you must have obtained a bachelor's degree with a predicted or achieved classification of 2:2 or above.

• A full UK driving licence is required.

Location: Yorkshire (Leeds/Keighley/Wakefield), Sunderland

For site-based roles, the location listed in this advert reflects your initial placement and may change throughout the programme depending on project and business requirements.

Important: Travel Requirements

As a project-based business, our teams work across a variety of locations. Depending on the role, you may be required to work from different project sites within the region or nationally throughout the programme.

Please carefully consider this requirement before applying, as travel and mobility are essential parts of the role. Successful candidates must be willing to travel in line with project and business need.

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you!

Applications close on 10th November 2027.

A few things to consider before you apply:

• We value authenticity and encourage you to complete your application without the use of AI tools. This helps us gain a genuine understanding of your individual strengths, experiences and potential.

• Some vacancies might close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible

• Only one application will be accepted per recruitment year. Any additional applications will be automatically withdrawn.