Graduate Engineering Manager Review

Overall the experience as a graduate at Balfour Beatty has been hugely rewarding. There is ample opportunity to get involved in some very exciting projects across multiple disciplines to ensure you are not putting yourself in one box. The graduate scheme is very well put together with a clear structure of learning across the business. The graduate scheme partners with the Brathay Trust who work closely to ensure we understand and enhance our learning requirements. There is also 2 residential trips to the Lake District with Brathay trust which further enhances on the lessons taught online and allows the opportunity for Graduates to work outside their comfort zone and further understand their own learning opportunities. The projects Balfour Beatty are involved in are industry leading and allows for a great learning environment. Due to the scale of the projects, a Graduate has plenty of opportunity to get involved in active projects and is something that is actively encouraged within the business to involve and enhance the learning of graduates. Personally, I have been involved in a large substation contract for the past year and picked up a few smaller contracts on the side. This has given me ample opportunity to learn on the job which fits my learning needs very well. The events put on for the Graduates by the early careers team are incredibly well thought out and impressive. Each event focuses on a separate part of the business so a Graduate can expect to learn about the business outside of their discipline. The opportunity to find a role that fits you is actively encouraged with the ability to move teams to find an exciting role that fits your skills. The working arrangement is very flexible and works around your needs and family. The opportunity to work remotely is available to work around your needs. The early careers take the time to review feedback on the Graduate scheme and care about the wellbeing of the Graduates ensuring the scheme is the best it can be. Raising queries or issues on the scheme is actively encouraged to ensure we have a scheme that suits everyone.

My main responsibilities is the management of the design process for substation and overhead line projects. This includes interfacing with the client, varies internal departments, keeping track of budjets and costs and any variations in cost, keeping track of programme dates and any variations in programme dates, managing a design team and any general issues that come up in design. The most enjoyable part of the role is getting stuck into complex issues that require lots of inter-discipline support. The reward of seeing designs go from initial information to completed design packs is extremely rewarding to be apart of. Further to this, to be able to go to site and see the work implemented in real life is an extremely rewarding part of the job. The flexibility offered is a huge advantage.

Personally, in my team I integrated very quickly and there is no shortage of opportunity to get involved in exciting contracts. The team are incredibly supportive from the transition from University to industry and want you to do well. I have personally contributed a huge amount to a current contract in an industry I care about on projects I feel are for the betterment of society.

The general compensation package is good. Salary reviews while on the early careers programme are twice a year for 4 years which is a big advantage. There is a benefit package available to all employees regardless of position which we can choose our benefits. Due to most of the benefits coming with a salary sacrifice, some of the better ones are out of reach to Graduates such as EV schemes.

Balfour Beatty care a lot about their early careers scheme. It is clear you are the future of the business and good development now will propel the company into the future. Within the last year, I have learnt an awful lot working on active projects. I feel at the moment, I am ahead of where I expected myself to be, which is a credit to the scheme they provide.

You are assigned a line manager and mentor as soon as you start as a point of contact for all queries. There is also outside support from your team and SLT who regularly review progress and ensure you are developing at a suitable rate. Balfour Beatty also offers mentoring schemes to those who are interested to ensure you have ample opportunity to learn.

Balfour Beatty offer a very good work life balance. The opportunity to work remotely is clear and you are able to work around family needs. This is put at the forefront to ensure you have a good work life balance and is something your mentors actively encourage and check in on. Mental wellbeing is also at the forefront of the company. There is ample opportunity to discuss mental and physical wellbeing and great support networks in place.

This is something Balfour Beatty actively champion. The work culture is one where everyone regardless of race, background, culture, gender etc is made to feel welcome and supported. Is is often discussed and always reviewed. Hybrid working is a great benefit to have to fit around family life which is also actively championed.

As above, this is something Balfour Beatty actively champion.

Yes

It's a company for life. There is ample opportunity to learn and develop across multiple disciplines. You don't have to stay where you are within the company, you can move and broaden your horizons. You are encouraged to talk about your career aspirations and Balfour Beatty will work with you to ensure you achieve those goals. The company are very supportive and want you to do well and want you to stay with them for your entire career.

It far exceeded my expectations. The recruitment process was far better than most I have attended and very engaging. Information is clearly conveyed and expectations outlined prior to you joining.