Costain eyes graduates for training - graduate jobs

Graduates will be able to apply for places on a two-year training scheme at international engineering and construction firm Costain to improve standards across the industry.

The scheme is being run in conjunction with the National Construction College to improve the understanding of technical issues, and while Costain employees will be the first to benefit from the course, it will also be available to others across the sector - coming from a range of backgrounds and with varying levels of experience.

Graduate trainees, site managers, supervisors and site engineers will be targeted for the short courses which will be delivered over two years. It is designed to help ensure high-quality workmanship going forward.

Costain said the programme would also allow participants to gain a better understanding of the physical, logistical and workplace environment, as it seeks to update people on the changing nature of the construction industry and the supply chain.

It added that ensuring quality workmanship is key to the company's success, and to the construction industry as a whole, and that it was keen for the NCC to assist it in providing training opportunities.

Bill Hewlett, technical director at Costain, said: "Due to the changing nature of contracting there are fewer people coming up through the trades. We know that in time this may result in a loss of integral knowledge flowing through to supervisory and management staff.

"Great managers with a thorough skills background have been a hallmark of the Costain offering. We want to retain this so we are acting now to keep ahead."