2026 Graduate Programme - Earth & Environment - Ground & Water

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? 

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Our environmental Ground & Water specialists support our clients in successful assessment and investigation of Brownfield land, supporting development proposals and commercial decisions. The team are also involved in the Demolition and Decommissioning of entire non-operational power stations to managing small, specialised redundant plants within active process areas.

We are looking for Graduates for our teams who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.  

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following teams and locations: 

• Contaminated Land: Manchester, Glasgow or Bristol
• Demolition and Decommissioning: Flexible  

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Our Ground and Water teams have worked on a range of assignments and as a graduate working in Contaminated Land or Demolition and Decommissioning, you will be helping deliver projects such as: 

Projects

• Ground investigations for huge infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Heathrow
• The Great Grid upgrade
• Remediation of a former gasworks site or petrochemical plant
• UK prototype fusion energy facility
• Various projects supporting the nuclear industry
• A wide range of infrastructure and water schemes and investigations around emerging contaminants
• Thermal Power station – Decommissioning and Demolition 
• Refinery - High Hazard plant demolition
• Nuclear Power station Decommissioning and Demolition 

Our Ground & Water Teams:

Contaminated Land:

Working as a Graduate in this team will mean you are specifically supporting the Ground & Water (geo-environmental/contaminated land/hydrogeology) team. The successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day delivery of projects, working closely with, project managers and project directors, this could include significant periods on site. Activities will typically include investigating, assessing and remediating contaminated sites with a significant component of field works transitioning with time and experience towards factual and interpretative reporting, client liaison and project management.

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Phase 1 Desk study researching and reporting.
• Phase 2 Site investigation design, supervision, soil sampling, soil logging, subcontractor management, human health/water environment risk assessment and reporting.
• Provision of adherence (with training) to best technical, engineering and health and safety practice including self and others.
• Communicating and liaising effectively with clients, subcontractors and assisting the project team.
• Operational assistance towards the delivery of project works, not restricted to contaminated land, but also supporting disciplines.
• Environmental site monitoring.
• Data collection and Data management.
• Factual checking of ground investigation reports, with progression to preparation of ground investigation reports.

Demolition And Decommissioning:

This role would predominantly be site based. Site works are dependent on active projects with travel across the whole of the UK and potentially internationally as required. The overall objective of this role is to provide support to the WSP’s Decommissioning and Demolition (D&D) team, specifically to support decommissioning, demolition and remediation projects requiring significant periods of sitework / working away. The successful candidate will play a key role in the day-to-day delivery of projects, working closely with and being supported by team members, project managers and project directors. Activities will typically include monitoring decommissioning and demolition operations, while gaining the knowledge and experience to transition with time and experience towards work towards the supervision and eventually management of these works. (The position would suit a graduate with a background in Demolition Management, Construction Management, Health, Safety and Environment or an Engineering based course).

Day-To-Day Activities Could Include:

• Attendance of works/site briefings, meetings and workshops.
• Observation and reporting of contractors works.
• Assisting clients with the planning and programming of the works and addressing challenges associated with decommissioning.
• Assisting in the data gathering and surveying of new projects.
• Communicating and liaising with clients, contractors, assisting the project team.
• Operational assistance towards the delivery of projects.

Our projects range from decommissioning entire non-operational power stations to managing small, specialised redundant plants within active process areas. 

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders (including regulatory authorities), collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments. 

Graduate Development Programme and Future progression

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience. 

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with professional bodies, ensuring your development is a priority. 

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on the graduate website or graduate brochure link below.

What will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you. Please visit our Graduate brochure or website Graduate brochure or Graduate website

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.
• You'll be looking to start work in either April or September 2026. 
• You will hold a UK driving licence or equivalent.
• You’ll have the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• You’ll have the ability to learn, demonstrate attention to detail and be adaptable to change.
• You’ll have the ability to work to a defined budget and timescales and the capability to build relationships.
• You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.
• You’ll have the ability to communicate effectively.
• You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.
• Willingness and ability to travel in the UK, to remote environments (some of which are inaccessible by public transport), including overnight stays. 

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure -  Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’S In It For You?

Work-Life Balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex Your Time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your Development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#Wearewsp

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.