Apprentice Project Controls Engineer

Project controls professionals ensure that projects are delivered on time, in budget, and to the required quality standards.

• Planning and Scheduling: Ensuring schedules are realistic and achievable.
• Cost Management: Controlling costs throughout the project lifecycle.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.
• Performance Measurement: Tracking progress against key milestones.

We’ve been chosen by Sellafield Ltd to lead a significant role on its long‑term Infrastructure Delivery Partnership. The billion‑pound, 15‑year contract award will deliver critical utilities infrastructure upgrades at the Cumbrian decommissioning site. The safe and responsible decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear legacy is a critical part of creating a sustainable future and delivering local and national economic prosperity. As one of Sellafield’s trusted partners, we’ll deliver safe, high‑quality utilities upgrades in a complex working environment, drawing on our extensive cross‑sector infrastructure experience in the water, energy and transportation sectors to upgrade a variety of on‑site and off‑site utility distribution systems and services.

Our responsibilities will involve refurbishing and replacing a variety of on‑site and off‑site utility distribution systems and services, including steam, water supply, water treatment, compressed gas and other essential utilities serving Sellafield.

What does joining an apprenticeship at Costain offer you? There are a wide range of apprenticeships available at Costain, covering levels of qualification and lengths of study. Apprenticeships are offered across sectors including nuclear, highways, rail, water, airports and tunnels, and with a number of partners and joint ventures. At your interview you will discuss the level of qualification on offer. The Early Careers Team will register you with a suitable training provider who can support the delivery of your qualification. Being an apprentice means you will work both on‑the‑job with your project on site, and off‑the‑job with the provider. You will be supported throughout your apprenticeship by your team and line manager and will be given time to carry out your studies with the provider and via study leave in line with company policy. Your on‑the‑job training will be in line with the work available on site, affording you the opportunity to gain the experience required to meet the technical and competency levels to achieve your apprenticeship goals.

Responsibilities:

• Develop knowledge of project control tools, planning techniques and cost management processes as part of the Degree Apprenticeship programme.
• Assist in the preparation and maintenance of project schedules.
• Assist with the preparation of reports on programme and progress on all aspects of the project, and attend and contribute to client and sub‑contractor meetings and other meetings accordingly.
• Support Earned Value Management and collect, organise and update progress reports and project performance information.
• Support the management of change in regard to impact on programmes and progress.
• Implement company and client procedures.

Qualifications:

• GCSE or equivalent 5 including English, Maths and Science (Grade 9‑4 or A*‑C).
• A Level or equivalent – 3 A Levels including Maths and a physical science (Grade B in Maths; B, C or above).
• BTEC or equivalent L3 Extended Diploma – Engineering related (Grade DDM or above).
• Organised individual able to work well to deadlines.
• Enjoys challenges and problem‑solving in day‑to‑day work.
• Communicates clearly, both written and verbally.
• Problem‑solving ability.
• Works well within a team, but also independently.
• Familiar with computer and Microsoft software.

EEO & Disability Confident Employer Statement: Costain is a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to any applicant who discloses a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. In certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.

About the Team: Working as part of a team on the Sellafield Decommissioning & Demolition Partnership framework, the projects range from new installations, refurbishments, decommissioning of existing plants and demolition. The Decommissioning Delivery Partnership, as one of four entities, will deliver a predicted £500m of decommissioning and asset care work on the Sellafield site until 2025. Projects located at Sellafield are close to Seascale on the coast of Cumbria. Potential candidates must be able to obtain and retain Security Clearance to be considered.