Professional Apprenticeships

You do not need to be a school leaver to apply for any of our apprenticeships.  Our apprenticeships are open to anyone that meets the entry criteria. We welcome applications from candidates looking to change their career.

We want you to select the role you are most interested in, so we limit candidate applications to one application only. Apprentices need to be geographically mobile due to the nature of our work and our projects.

The entry requirements are listed in each vacancy and the number of UCAS points required vary. However, across all apprentice roles we have a minimum entry criterion of 4 GCSEs at C/4+, including Maths & English. Please refer to the vacancy you are applying for to ensure you meet the entry criteria before applying.

We aim to contact you within 30 days of submitting your application to advise if you have moved onto the next stage of the process. 

If you have any questions about your individual application or would like to speak to one of our recruiters about the application process, then please email us at earlytalent@laingorourke.com. Please note, we have a high volume of messages so a response maybe delayed.  

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.

We understand that plans may change. 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.

At the application stage, we ask candidates to indicate if they consider themselves to have a disability/illness so we can ensure adjustments are made to support you during the recruitment process. Any conversations we have with you regarding your disability will be treated with confidentiality. Laing O’Rourke has become the first tier one contractor to have been awarded Level 3: Disability Confident Leader, the highest level in the UK Government’s Disability Confident scheme, across its entire UK business operations.

We encourage all applicants to request feedback if their application is unsuccessful following a video 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 video 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.

All offers of employment are subject to employment and educational references. This is to ensure you meet our entry criteria and satisfy our onboarding requirements. 

Your normal basic working hours are those written in your Offer of Employment contract and exclude meal breaks. However, actual working hours will be as determined by the location in which you are based (subject to the Working Time Directive). For some staff who are site/ project-based, actual working hours may include working at the weekend. To fulfil the requirements of your position, you will be expected to work such additional hours, over and above the basic hours, as are necessary for the satisfactory performance of your duties and the operational requirements of the business.

Our office dress policy is business attire/wear. However, when on site you will need to dress appropriately for the project (wearing trousers and suitable shoes) and taking the weather into account. A large amount of your time could be spent outdoors. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and will be supplied to you 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.

Our apprenticeship programme has been developed to ensure you are supported throughout every step of your journey, combining work-based experience with off-the-job training. You will be stretched, challenged, and supported by a business that views your professional development and formal qualification as a priority.    

Our programme will provide a fully funded day or block release Level 4 (HNC) and/or Level 6 (degree) apprenticeship in your chosen vocation, while working as a full time Laing O'Rourke employee. It will also include a series of bespoke development modules, and technical training opportunities, strategically placed to support you at key stages of your apprenticeship journey.

During the programme you will work across a range of projects, which will offer the breadth and variety to support your occupational competency and will contribute towards the achievement of your apprenticeship and professional accreditation.   

We are committed to providing a clear and supportive recruitment journey. Here is what you can expect when applying for one of our apprentice opportunities:  

• CV Submission  
  Submit your CV for review. We will assess your application against the entry criteria for the role you are applying for.  
• Online Assessment  
  You will complete a series of assessments designed to understand how you approach workplace situations, your preferred ways of working, as well as exercises to evaluate your critical thinking and numerical reasoning skills.  
• Video Interview  
  At this stage, you will be invited to record responses to two questions set by our hiring team. You will have sufficient time to prepare and ensure you present yourself confidently.  
• Assessment Centre  
  Our in-person assessment centres, held at a LOR office, provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills through a combination of individual tasks, short interviews, and group activities. This is also a chance to experience our culture first-hand.  
• Outcome  
  We aim to provide feedback and communicate the outcome of your assessment centre within two weeks. 

It’s important to let us know as soon as possible. Please email us with the details of your issue along with a screen shot (ideally) to earlytalent@laingorourke.com. We’ll then advise on next steps.

We run assessment centres regularly from February until the spring. As these assessments are run in person, you will get at least a week’s notice so you can arrange any travel necessary. There is a reimbursement process which you will be notified of if you are invited to an assessment centre.    

You don’t need to have work experience that directly relates to the role you’re applying for. However, we encourage you to include any work experience - paid or unpaid - that supports your application.