Crossrail unveils opportunities on its graduate scheme

An opportunity for graduates to join the largest construction project in Europe was announced today by Crossrail.

The Crossrail Graduate Scheme is a new programme offering graduates the chance to work alongside project management teams, contractors and designers delivering the Crossrail project.

According to Crossrail, the scheme will start in 2013 with an intake of eight graduates each year for the next four years, recruited from courses in tunnelling, engineering, information technology, business management and administration.

The scheme is being launched to coincide with the university ‘milk-round’ process and graduates can apply from 1 December 2012.

The first successful applicants will begin in autumn 2013 and will join a two-year programme undertaking training and work placements.

‘Graduates will receive unique frontline experience on a major infrastructure project, picking up transferable skills that will open the door to a range of future projects and careers,’ said Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail’s chief executive.

Crossrail is a new rail-based transport network being built in London with a budget of £14.8bn. Its route will pass through 37 stations and run 118km (73 miles) from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.

Crossrail’s Graduate Scheme includes:

  • working with contractors and engineers on the Crossrail project to help identify solutions to problems;
  • training in a project, commercial, finance or people management role, as well as practical training at the Crossrail-sponsored Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA);
  • gaining knowledge of tunnelling and underground construction work — a growing sector that will equip graduates with the skills and experience to work on a range of future projects in the UK and abroad;
  • graduates will work towards receiving professional chartered status in their relevant field; and
  • supervision and support from engineers, including a personal development manager throughout the placement.