With over 300 applicants for the initiative, a virtual launch day signalled the start of the structured two-year programme for the selected 22 recent graduates from leading universities across the UK, with four recruits coming from Scotland.

Due to lockdown restrictions, this year’s event was hosted online, with the interactive session providing the graduates with an insight into how they can fast track their careers with one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors.

The graduate scheme is a mix of technical, personal, and management style development. Each of the participants will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from their degree courses on a range of GRAHAM’s most high-profile civil engineering projects.

Projects include the £40 million redevelopment of the Port of Dundee, which will see the construction of a new wharf and the upgrade of over 15 hectares of land for the emerging energy transition sector.  As well as the decommissioning and restoration of Dounreay in Caithness, described as ‘the world’s deepest nuclear clean-up’, with GRAHAM delivering the civils and structural works on behalf of Nuvia, acting as sub-contractor and an influential partner on the project.

GRAHAM managing director – civil engineering, Leo Martin, believes nurturing talent has been key to GRAHAM’s strong growth.

He said: “Every year, it is a privilege for me to introduce the next generation of talent to our civil engineering division and to equip them with the tools to grow and become future leaders at GRAHAM.

“Of course, we have faced considerable challenges presented by the pandemic over the past year, but I was more determined than ever to recruit a similar number of graduates as we normally do. And Covid-19 has not knocked us off course in this regard. That also goes for the content and delivery of the programme, which will be as engaging, practically-based, and interactive as always.

“As one of the first companies in the UK to be accredited Platinum by Investors in People, we believe that nurturing and investing in the next generation of talent is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of GRAHAM. That is why I am committed to giving young people opportunities, especially when so many avenues to employment are being closed to them. I am looking forward to working with, and learning from, this talented batch of graduates now and into the future.”

The Civil Engineering Graduate Programme is part of the GRAHAM Academy, which is an in-house world-class training and development centre. It offers a range of graduate programmes, industrial and undergraduate placements, part-time university study, apprenticeships, work experience, and trainee opportunities.

Since 2015, the GRAHAM Academy has seen more than 120 graduates successfully through its programme.

A member of the “5% Club”, a group of companies committed to ensuring 5% of their workforce over the next five years is comprised of young people on structured learning schemes, GRAHAM is already ahead of the curve, with 13% of its workforce fitting the criteria.

GRAHAM is also a member of the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone.