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Professional Apprenticeships:
Development and application

How to apply and how may your career might develop with us.

Entry requirements

You must be eligible to work in the UK with a valid work permit
Entry grades will be listed within each job description and they will differ from role to role
To qualify for this programme, you will need to have a minimum of three A-Levels/or equivalent

Selection process & application

Step 1

Apply online

Complete the online application form and upload a copy of CV and covering letter.
Step 2

Shortlisting

Your application will be reviewed against the requirements for the role you have applied for.
Step 3

Online testing

You will be invited to complete a series of psychometric tests tailored to the role you have applied for.
Step 4

VIDEO INTERVIEW

Upon successful completion of online tests, you will be invited to complete a video interview.
Step 5

ASSESSMENT CENTRE

If successful at video interview, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. The safety of our people, and of our candidates is our priority and in the current climate, we may alter the format of our assessment centre; either replacing it with a virtual event or where it is safe to do so, and in line with government and health authority guidance, host a socially distanced, covid-secure day.
Step 6

Offer

If you are successful at the assessment centre, you will receive a written, formal offer of employment.
Step 7

Onboarding

All offers are subject to successful candidates completing the necessary onboarding paperwork and a health & safety touchscreen test (CSCS).

Hints & tips

A successful application begins with an exciting CV and ends with an engaging interview. Here we provide some quick tips for job applicants to help you make the most of your strengths and ensure you stand out from the competition.

Your CV

The CV is your first opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer. So it is important that it provides the best possible showcase for your achievements.

CV writing tips

Your CV should be easy to read: use clear fonts, bullet points and concise language.
If you are still studying start with your education and any relevant qualifications or training, detail what the subjects are and any predicted/achieved grades
If you have worked summarise your employment history with the most recent position you have held, using action verbs for the greatest impact
Highlight your individual achievements - not just those where you have excelled as part of a team.
Always provide contact details, both mobile and email address
Spell-check your CV and ask someone to proof read it for you.

Your interview

What can you expect in the interview? How can you best prepare to make a good impression? We offer you a number of hints and tips to give you confidence on the big day, and take control of your own destiny.

Learn as much as you can about Laing O’Rourke: who we are, our services, and our vision for the years ahead. Make sure you can articulate how your strengths and career goals are aligned with ours, and why you think you’ll succeed in our organisation.
Prepare a list of questions for your interviewer(s): so you can assess whether Laing O’Rourke is the right place to launch your career. Ask us about our organisation, our projects, the opportunities we can offer you and what you can expect from us. Remember the recruitment process is two-way so this is your time to decide if we are the right employer for you.
Try to relax and remember that we're interested in the real you: Our interviewers are trained to get the best from you. We know interviews can be stressful, but we want you to enjoy it. Listen carefully to each question and take time to think about your best answer. Think about your strengths and weaknesses, achievements and aspirations - and be ready to discuss them.
Talk to us: we're friendly and always happy to answer your questions. Come along to one of our events on campus or in our offices, and ask our current school leavers or graduates what it's really like to work at Laing O’Rourke.
Get expert advice: your careers service can provide advice and guidance to help you complete your application form and even run you through practice interviews. Parents, family and friends can be really useful sources of information too.

On the day

Dress appropriately for the environment.
Maintain eye contact, confidence and energy levels throughout.
If you can reflect on your development so far, talk about what you have learnt and explain if there is anything you would have done differently, this will be viewed in a positive light.
Listen carefully to questions and think about your answers. If you don’t understand a question, ask your interviewer to explain it.
Keep your answers concise and relevant.
Refer to specific examples where you can demonstrate your knowledge and experience.

Frequently asked questions

Am I allowed to apply for more than one role at a time?

We want you to select the role you are most interested in so we limit candidate applications to one application only. For the professional apprenticeship programme, we ask that you specify your preferred UK region, remembering that you will need to attend a college or university for further education.

What are your minimum academic requirements?

To be eligible for our professional apprenticeship programme you should be studying A-Levels, Scottish Highers, BTEC or equivalent qualifications.

When will I know if my application has been successful?

You will know whether you are through to the next stage within 30 days of submitting your CV.

Can I update my CV on your system?

Yes, you can log into your account via laingorourke.com/careers to edit your information.

I have entered the wrong contact details on your system how do I change them?

You can log into your account via laingorourke.com/careers to edit your information.

Do you show preference to internal applicants?

Laing O'Rourke recognises the importance of promoting within and giving opportunity to employees. It is in our best interest to recruit outstanding talent and the candidate, whether internal or external who is most suited will be offered a position.

Who do I contact if I have a question about a vacancy?

Please email any queries to [email protected], stating the programme you're applying for in the subject line.

Who will contact me about my application?

To speed up the process, we aim to contact you via email in the first instance. Your application will be dealt with by the early talent team.

When will my references be checked?

All offers of employment are subject to references. You will be sent an email to your personal account and requested to complete a reference questionnaire.

Can I speak to someone about your recruiting process and available programmes?

If you have any questions about your individual application, or would like to speak to one of our recruiters, then please email us at [email protected]

Can I apply for positions in the UK if I need a work permit?

We welcome applications from all candidates. However, there are restrictions if you are not resident in the UK. You will need to ensure you have full eligibility to work in the UK before making an application. If you are unsure of your eligibility to work in the UK, please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for more information.

Can I apply for deferred entry?

We understand that not everyone is ready to start their career the day after leaving school or college. If we offer you a job, we'll be happy to talk to you about your circumstances and each request will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

I have a disability - should I declare it?

At the application stage, we ask candidates to indicate if they consider themselves to have a disability so we can ensure adjustments are made to support you during the recruitment process. Any conversations we have with you about your disability will be treated with confidentiality. For further information we also recommend that you visit www.greatwithdisability.com

I wasn't invited to the next stage of the recruitment process - can I get feedback on my application?

We encourage all applicants to request feedback if their application is unsuccessful following a telephone interview or assessment centre. We believe feedback is an important part of the recruitment process and will help you in your further search for a suitable role. If your application doesn't proceed following your telephone interview or assessment centre, we will give you personal feedback over the phone. When we inform you of the outcome, we will provide details of how to organise this feedback.

What are the typical hours in a working week?

There's no typical week at Laing O'Rourke. Your contractual hours of 40 hours per week will vary according to the work or project in which you're involved, and you will need to be flexible. The majority of our projects operate Monday to Friday, however, there may be some weekend work, particularly during busy periods. We encourage teams at all levels to work flexibly and discuss how to meet the demands of each project. By communicating regularly with your team and supervisor, you'll be able to understand their expectations and plan your time effectively.

What do people wear at Laing O'Rourke?

Our office dress policy is business attire/wear. However, when you are on site you will need to dress appropriately for the project (wearing trousers and suitable shoes) and take the weather into account! A large amount of your time may be spent outdoors. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is provided to everyone on site and will be supplied when you join us. Before you start working with us, we will match you up with a buddy who will help you get started before your first day and during your first few weeks. They can help you with any other questions similar to this.

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