Costain is welcoming a record 50 apprentices in 2026, doubling its intake from last year, as the infrastructure company staffs up for a growing pipeline of long-term UK projects. The apprentices are joining teams across road, rail, integrated transport, energy, water, and defence and nuclear work, in disciplines from civil engineering to quantity surveying.

The intake was first announced by Costain in September, and trade coverage on 12 November 2026 reported the new apprentices now joining the business. Details of Costain's planned early careers and apprenticeship intake for 2027, including how to apply, are due to be released in November.

What the record intake covers

Costain offers apprenticeships at all levels in the UK, including degree-level programmes, and each apprentice earns while they learn. Training lasts from 12 to 60 months, depending on the level of study, and apprentices work as fully integrated members of their teams while studying for nationally recognised qualifications.

The disciplines in this year's intake include civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, finance and project management. Costain also recruits graduates, interns and university placement students, and runs a Graduates and Apprentices network, known as GRaAPS, to support professional development.

Catherine Duffy, Costain's Chief People and Sustainability Officer, said she was extremely proud to be welcoming a record number of apprentices into the company, adding that the industry needs more skilled workers than ever to deliver critical infrastructure for a more prosperous, resilient and decarbonised UK.

Where the apprentices will work

The new apprentices will join some of the UK's most important infrastructure projects. They include delivering the London tunnels section of HS2 as part of the Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, strategic water infrastructure through long-term AMP8 frameworks with Southern Water and United Utilities, and critical utilities infrastructure upgrades for Sellafield.

At Sellafield's west Cumbria site, Costain apprentices will gain experience in complex infrastructure work through roles in engineering, project controls and health and safety. Costain is providing critical utilities upgrades there under a minimum nine-year contract worth up to £1bn, as part of the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership.

Costain said its hiring at Sellafield was informed by detailed analysis of where skills gaps have historically existed in the region, and that it supports Sellafield's commitment to creating a thriving and sustainable local community. The company said it is now exceeding a commitment for apprentices to make up 10% of its workforce on the partnership.

Claire Gallery-Strong, Project Director at Costain, said the company and its partners are committed to offering high-skilled learning and development opportunities for young people in Cumbria and the wider region, and to growing the pool of home-grown talent.

What apprentices say about the programme

Ella Williams, an Apprentice Project Controls Engineer and member of the GRaAPS network, said it was hugely exciting to be part of a growing group of like-minded, ambitious early careers professionals, and that her apprenticeship had given her opportunities to learn, develop and apply herself in a collaborative and stimulating environment.

Darcy Williamson, a Safety, Health and Environment apprentice who recently joined the Sellafield programme, said joining Costain had already been a hugely positive experience and that she had been made to feel incredibly welcome.

How to apply for Costain apprenticeships

Costain's apprenticeship programme is open to anyone aged 16 or over who is not in full-time education and is eligible to work in the UK. Applicants upload a CV and covering letter online, and need to generate an intent code from Costain's external partner Connectr before applying, as applications without a code will not be processed.

Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview or assessment centre, in person or virtually. Apprentices start on a competitive salary, with two pay reviews a year, and complete an End Point Assessment at the end of their programme. Anyone interested in the 2027 intake should watch for the details Costain has said will be released in November, and check the company's apprenticeships page for current early careers roles.

Sources: Water Magazine, 12 November 2026; Costain apprenticeships, official careers page.