Atkins Graduate and Apprentice Programme – Atkins in partnership with Amberjack

One of the biggest design, engineering and project consultancies, SNC Lavalin’s Atkins, is well-known around the world. It also has well-established graduate and apprentice programmes, along with recently developing an Early Careers Recruitment Strategy.

• Atkins runs a virtual work experience programme for 14-18-year-olds, which provides information on careers in engineering, sustainability and life at Atkins. Designed to help inform and inspire the next generation, 731 students participated with 75% stating they are likely or very likely to consider a career in engineering post-programme.  
• Emerging talent candidates are fully engaged during the recruitment process, with a ‘buddy’ offered. Each candidate is fully informed/briefed of prospective roles. Atkins also has a flexible approach, with some candidates wanting more communication than others. All new hires are invited to social gatherings before joining. 
• Atkins’ core objectives of its programmes are improving access to engineering, and it recruits a diverse cohort to support this, with 50.6% of the 731 students identifying as BAME. Some 65% of applications came from students from ethnically diverse backgrounds, with 27% converting onto the placement programme, which comprised 54% BAME applicants, as well as 36% female.

Judges’ comments

“Atkins demonstrated a breadth of innovation, supported with great, tangible results and an excellent overview of its execution. Its care and commitment shone through in the submission. It showed a wide community involvement, detailing numerous career options, international offerings and clear a diversity and partnership approach. Atkins is setting the right foundations for itself, its candidates and its clients.”