Assistant Project Manager Review

During my time on the Balfour Beatty Graduate Programme, I worked as a Streetworks Graduate within Balfour Beatty Living Places, gaining valuable hands-on experience in managing and coordinating streetworks operations across a range of local authority contracts. The programme provided an excellent foundation in project delivery, stakeholder engagement, compliance, and safety management within the infrastructure and highways sector.
Over the two years, I developed a strong understanding of how collaborative planning and efficient communication drive successful project outcomes. I benefited greatly from Balfour Beatty’s extensive support network, including mentorship from senior professionals, structured training sessions, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
A key highlight of the programme was attending a week-long residential at the Brathay Trust in the Lake District, where I joined other early careers colleagues from across the business. This experience was not only focused on leadership and teamwork development but also allowed me to build lasting friendships and a strong professional network.
Following the completion of my graduate scheme, I transitioned to the Rail business unit, expanding my technical knowledge and continuing my career development within one of the UK’s leading infrastructure organisations. This move has allowed me to apply the transferable skills I gained in streetworks to new challenges in the rail environment, further enhancing my understanding of major project delivery and cross-sector collaboration.

As a Streetworks Graduate, I was responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and compliance of streetworks activities across local authority contracts. My role involved ensuring that all works were carried out in line with statutory requirements, including the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA), and that projects were delivered safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the public.
Day-to-day, I assisted with permit management, programme coordination, and liaising with key stakeholders, including local councils, utility companies, contractors, and members of the public. I worked closely with operational teams to monitor progress on site, review performance data, and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance delivery and compliance standards.
What I enjoyed most about the role was the stakeholder communication and relationship management aspect. I thrived on working collaboratively with a range of people—from site teams to client representatives—and found great satisfaction in resolving challenges through clear, proactive communication. These interactions taught me how crucial strong relationships are to the success of any project.
Throughout my time in the business, I was fortunate to work alongside highly experienced colleagues who shared their knowledge and insight generously. Their mentorship and guidance helped me develop both technically and personally, giving me a deeper understanding of the operational and commercial sides of streetworks delivery. The culture of teamwork and support within Balfour Beatty made it an incredibly rewarding environment to learn and grow in.

The Streetworks Graduate role has been an excellent foundation for my future career in infrastructure and project delivery. It has given me a well-rounded understanding of how complex operational environments function—from planning and compliance through to execution and stakeholder engagement. The combination of technical learning and hands-on experience has developed my ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems under pressure, and communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
Most importantly, the role has strengthened my confidence in taking ownership and responsibility, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration and clear communication in achieving successful outcomes. The exposure I’ve had to different functions and disciplines within Balfour Beatty has broadened my perspective and equipped me with the transferable skills needed to adapt and progress within the industry. Moving into the Rail business unit feels like a natural next step—building on the strong foundation, professional relationships, and lessons I’ve gained throughout the graduate programme.

I think what was missing for me perosnally is throughout my first few months I did feel slightly lost in the role as I feel like there wasnt much structure in onboarding me as someone new to the industry I felt like more organisation and structure was needed such a rotational scheme around the business learning how different teams work togther on the contract wouldve been hughy beneficial. However, apart from that the support I recieved from my line manager was invaluable to both my professional development and confidence in the role. From the outset, they took the time to understand my learning goals and helped me set clear, achievable objectives that aligned with both my personal growth and the needs of the business. Regular one-to-one meetings provided a space to discuss progress, reflect on challenges, and identify opportunities to stretch myself further.
My line manager was always approachable and genuinely invested in my development, offering constructive feedback, technical guidance, and encouragement when tackling new responsibilities. They also supported me in building professional relationships across different teams, ensuring I was exposed to a variety of experiences and perspectives within the organisation.
This level of mentorship and trust helped me grow in confidence, develop my own working style, and gain a deeper understanding of leadership and communication in a project environment. Their guidance played a key role in preparing me for my transition into the Rail business unit and for the next stage of my career at Balfour Beatty.

Yes

I would wholeheartedly recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend because of the incredible opportunities it provides to learn, grow, and build a meaningful career in the infrastructure industry. From day one, I felt supported and valued — not just as a graduate, but as a contributing member of the team. The company places real emphasis on professional development, offering a clear structure for learning while also giving graduates the freedom to take on responsibility and make a genuine impact.
What truly sets Balfour Beatty apart is its supportive culture and the people who make it such a great place to work. Whether it was my line manager, mentors, or colleagues on site, everyone was approachable, collaborative, and willing to share their knowledge. The sense of community extends beyond your own team — especially through initiatives like the Brathay Trust residential, which brings together early careers employees from across the business and creates friendships that last well beyond the programme.
Balfour Beatty also offers a diverse range of opportunities across different sectors, meaning there’s always room to explore new interests and continue progressing. My own journey — moving from Living Places into the Rail business unit — is a great example of how the company encourages internal mobility and long-term career growth.
For anyone looking to start their career in a company that truly invests in its people and gives you the tools to succeed, Balfour Beatty is an excellent choice.