Costain doubles apprentice intake as infrastructure workload grows

By Danny BallPublished On: September 22nd, 2026Categories: News, Top Stories

Costain has doubled its annual apprentice intake to 50 in 2026 as it responds to growth in its long-term infrastructure workload across the UK.

The infrastructure contractor is recruiting apprentices across road, rail, integrated transport, energy, water, and defence and nuclear energy, with roles spanning civil and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, quantity surveying, finance and project management.

The apprentices will work across projects including HS2, strategic water infrastructure and utilities upgrades at Sellafield, while completing training and qualifications alongside their employment.

Costain expands apprenticeship intake across infrastructure sectors

Costain offers apprenticeships from entry-level through to degree level, with programmes lasting between 12 and 60 months depending on the level of study.

The 2026 intake is twice the size of last year’s cohort. The company also recruits graduates, interns and university placement students, supported by its Graduates and Apprentices (GRaAPS) network.

Catherine Duffy, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Costain, said: “I’m extremely proud to be welcoming a record number of apprentices into Costain.

The industry requires more skilled workers than ever to deliver critical infrastructure for a more prosperous, resilient and decarbonised UK, which makes it a hugely exciting time to enter the sector.

“Our apprentice programme underscores our commitment to offering vocational routes into employment. It is designed to help apprentices earn while they learn and gain qualifications with real-world experience to help them build a meaningful, long-term career.”

Costain’s apprentices will be deployed across major infrastructure programmes, including the London tunnels section of HS2 through the Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, AMP8 water frameworks with Southern Water and United Utilities, and infrastructure upgrades at Sellafield.

Sellafield apprenticeships target regional skills gaps

At Sellafield’s site in west Cumbria, Costain’s apprentices will work in engineering, project controls and health and safety roles supporting the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP).

Costain is delivering critical utilities upgrades through the IDP under a minimum nine-year contract worth up to £1bn.

The company’s recruitment programme for the site has been informed by analysis of historic skills gaps in the region. Costain said the approach is intended to help develop a local labour pool while creating opportunities for early-career professionals and people from disadvantaged backgrounds across Cumbria.

The intake also means Costain is exceeding its commitment for apprentices to make up 10% of its IDP workforce.

Claire Gallery-Strong, project director at Costain, said: “Together with Sellafield and our IDP partners, we’re committed to offering high-skilled learning and development opportunities for young people in Cumbria and the wider region, supporting a more prosperous, thriving local community and growing the pool of home-grown talent.

“We’re welcoming a fantastic group who will be delivering against the identified skills gaps and be provided with a range of experiences and guidance from senior colleagues to set them up for success.”

Ella Williams, apprentice project controls engineer and member of the GRaAPS network at Costain, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be part of a growing group of like-minded, ambitious early careers professionals. Throughout my apprenticeship at Costain I have been fortunate enough to work on complex infrastructure projects which have given opportunities to learn, develop and apply myself in a collaborative, stimulating environment.”

Darcy Williamson, safety, health and environment apprentice at Costain, who has recently joined the IDP programme, said: “Joining Costain as an apprentice has already been a hugely positive experience. I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and as I build my career in SHE, I’m excited to learn from my team, develop my skillset and make the most of the opportunities across Costain and IDP.”

Details of Costain’s 2027 early careers and apprenticeship intake are due to be released in November.