Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist

Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist (WSP UK & Ireland)

Join to apply for the Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist role at WSP in the UK & Ireland.

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role

As Apprenticeship and Skills Specialist, you will directly shape the future of WSP’s apprenticeship programmes, advising the business on best practice and influencing our position in skills development. This role combines setting programme direction with hands on delivery, ensuring our programmes are innovative, compliant and aligned with organisational objectives. You will champion support for apprentices and their managers, identify growth opportunities, and build partnerships to maintain excellence in programme delivery.

Your team

You will be part of our dedicated Early Careers team, collaborating closely with specialists in recruitment and development. The team manages every stage of the journey for earn‑and‑learn roles, including apprentices, graduates, and placements, ensuring a seamless experience from recruitment through to professional growth. Our early careers cohorts are central to WSP’s success and future growth, representing over 10% of our UK and Ireland workforce.

What You Will Do

• Be a trusted advisor to the business, providing expert guidance on apprenticeship best practice, emerging trends, and legislative updates.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve apprenticeship programmes that support apprentices to thrive and achieve their potential.
• Provide clear communication and expert guidance to apprentices and their line managers throughout the programme, acting as the main point of contact and ensuring they are supported from enrolment through to successful completion, including End Point Assessments (EPA).
• Build relationships with universities, colleges, providers, and external partners to maintain programme quality and reputation.
• Oversee compliance and contractual documentation, including enrolment, transfers, and accurate record management on the Digital Apprenticeship Service.
• Use data and analytics to monitor success, spot trends, and drive continuous improvement.
• Influence WSP’s position in skills development, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring effective use of the Skills and Growth Levy.
• Represent WSP at external networks and professional bodies.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Experience of and a thorough knowledge and understanding of apprenticeship programme management and compliance in the UK and Ireland, ideally within engineering and/ or consultancy.
• Advisory and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• A passion for creating inclusive environments where apprentices and managers feel supported.
• Effectively communicate complex apprenticeship requirements to a wide range of stakeholders with differing levels of knowledge and varied interests.
• Experience of working in an internal Early Careers, Learning and Development or HR team.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work‑life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.