Sue Cooper, Atkins’ UK HR director, said: “The future of our industry and its ability to create a better quality of life for us all depends on attracting and retaining the most talented young people within the design, engineering and project management fields.
“It is widely acknowledged that there is likely to be a shortage of suitably qualified young people to deliver the technically complex and time critical challenges in the years ahead.
“This coupled with increasing worldwide demand for infrastructure and other engineering capabilities means companies in our sector need to address the issue now.
“Our 2013 intake of graduates and apprentices is one of our largest ever and we are proud to be able to offer a world of opportunities for so many people from different backgrounds and with varying levels of qualifications. They have an exciting journey ahead.”
The 330 graduates and 75 apprentices will fulfil a wide variety of roles, from engineers, environmentalists and management consultants to scientists and planners.
Based in offices across the UK, they will work within Atkins’ Energy, Rail, Water & Environment, Highways & Transportation, Design & Engineering and Defence, Aerospace & Communications business units.