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Early Careers at Keltbray

Apprenticeships, placements and graduate routes into construction, and what each one involves.
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Keltbray is a specialist construction engineering and major civils services group. Our purpose is to redefine the way sustainable development is delivered.

Based on our collective experience, we collaborate at the earliest stage to design and self-deliver innovative customer solutions across technically demanding built environment and major civils sectors. Working in partnership with our stakeholders, we are actively contributing to economic growth, social advancement and environmental protection.

Who are Keltbray?

Our purpose

To redefine the way sustainable development is delivered.

Who we are

Keltbray is a UK-leading specialist construction engineering and major civil services business, offering a range of solutions for public and private sector customers.

What we do

Operating in highly-regulated and safety-critical sectors, we are a key player in developing and maintaining Britain's built environment, and in selective overseas markets. Our customers trust us to deliver certainty on projects — to specification, safely, on programme, within budget and with care for our environment and communities.

Why we do it

Our deep expertise means that we offer standalone and holistic services, to meet our clients' complex and changing engineering demands to enhance, upgrade and decarbonise their capital assets.

How we do it

Keltbray's distinctive delivery model brings together complementary capabilities to deliver certainty through the smart solutions we provide. Our integrated delivery approach is supported by significant investments in our people, specialist capabilities and R&D, driving innovation and delivery excellence for our stakeholders.

Our values

  • Care for everyone and work with respect

  • Nurture winning teams

  • Put the customer at the heart of everything

  • Bring innovation to life

  • Keep our promises, aim to exceed

  • Work with integrity and do the right thing

Executive Chairman's foreword

At Keltbray, our Early Careers programmes play a vital role in bringing new talent into our industry. They are designed to give people at the beginning of their careers the knowledge, skills and real project experience they need to grow and make a meaningful impact in a fast-moving and highly technical environment.

We see our early careers community as future leaders, innovators and problem-solvers. Whether joining us through an apprenticeship, graduate route, industrial placement or trainee pathway, each person has the chance to work on live projects, tackle real challenges and learn from experts across our business. By combining hands-on experience with structured development, we aim to give every individual the confidence and capability to build their future with us.

Our programmes sit at the heart of Keltbray's culture of innovation, inclusivity and integrity. We believe that different viewpoints, curiosity and resilience are essential to driving progress. This environment encourages people to challenge ideas, explore new approaches and grow through both success and setbacks.

Investing in early careers is about more than skills development; it's about helping people realise their potential and strengthening the future of our industry. The energy, ambition and fresh thinking our early talent brings help shape the direction of our business and support our commitment to delivering sustainable, positive change.

Brendan Kerr

Owner and Executive Chairman

What we do

Dynamic growth sectors

Through our UK business network, Keltbray has a strong and growing presence in built environment and major civils sectors.

Our business activities are shaped by the product innovation and delivery certainty of the services we provide to meet clients' sustainable development challenges.

Integrated self-delivery

Specialist engineering services, construction engineering services, major civils services and support services, brought together under one delivery model, across:

  • Data centres
  • Transport civils
  • London commercial and life sciences
  • Geography
  • Industrial estates remodelling
  • Energy storage and transition
  • Aviation

Project highlights

Fifty Fenchurch Street
£73m
Demolition · Piling and bulk excavation · Basement and core
HS2 Curzon Street — main works
£26.5m
Piling · Groundworks
Museum of London
£68.5m
Demolition · Groundwork and excavation · Structural alterations
Paddington OSD
£23m
Enabling works · Structural demolition · Piling and foundations

Career opportunities

There are few businesses with the diversity of roles, skills and expertise to rival ours. Every one of Keltbray's employees plays an important role in delivering some of the biggest construction projects in the UK.

Construction site management

Construction Site Managers oversee the day-to-day delivery of a construction project. They make sure the work on site is carried out safely, on time, to the required quality, and in line with what the client expects.

  • Taking responsibility for the daily running of a project on site
  • Working outdoors in a live construction environment
  • Leading and organising teams and resources
  • Managing health, safety, quality, and site standards
  • Co-ordinating subcontractors and suppliers
  • Helping to deliver projects such as major infrastructure, energy facilities, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings

Quantity surveying

Quantity Surveyors help manage the money side of a construction project. They track costs from the very beginning through to completion, making sure the project stays on budget and that the work being delivered represents good value.

  • Working mainly in an office environment, with some visits to site
  • Managing the costs and finances of a project
  • Working with subcontractors, suppliers, and clients
  • Keeping the project on budget and identifying cost risks early
  • Approving payments for subcontractors and tracking spending
  • Learning how contracts, pricing, and commercial decisions shape a project

Civil engineering

Civil Engineers are the scientific minds behind the way our towns and cities work, combining practical and theoretical engineering knowledge to plan, manage, budget and analyse projects of all sizes.

  • Working in an outdoor environment
  • Applying maths in a real-life environment
  • Contributing to the safety and environmental aspects of a project
  • Setting out and producing surveys to help manage quality on projects
  • Using technology and innovation
  • Managing subcontractors
  • Working on infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads and rail

Craft trade

Craft tradespeople play a hands-on role in delivering our projects. They work on site as part of skilled teams, helping to build, install, assemble, maintain, and prepare the structures and systems needed to keep a project moving.

  • Construction general operative
  • Demolition operative
  • Formworker
  • Groundworker
  • Piling operative
  • Plant operator
  • Scaffolder
  • Steel fixer

Apprenticeships

At Keltbray we recognise that our people are the significant differentiating factor in our performance and overall success. We believe that providing opportunities to earn while you learn is key to the future of our business.

A Keltbray apprenticeship is a career opportunity that incorporates structured on-the-job learning supplemented with academic qualifications, working alongside our experienced professionals. Keltbray will give you tasks to perform, and a training provider will equip you with the theoretical skills to perform those tasks.

Typical apprenticeships at Keltbray

  • Civil engineering
  • Ground worker
  • Piling
  • Health and safety
  • Design and structural engineering
  • Demolition
  • Human resources
  • Construction management
  • Scaffolding
  • Formwork
  • Business administration
  • Quantity surveying
  • Finance
  • Steel fixing

How an apprenticeship works

  • Educational establishment

    You will be enrolled into either a college, university or training provider depending on the apprenticeship you choose to undertake. They will provide you with the knowledge required to achieve your academic qualification.

  • Work placement

    You will gain hands-on experience in the workplace through allocated placements to help you develop a thorough understanding of your specialism in order to support your academic studies.

  • Mentor support

    You will be assigned a mentor who will support your orientation into the workplace, provide an insight and understanding of the organisation and provide advice and guidance relating to the learning and training aspects of your apprenticeship.

  • Professional development

    With all of our technical pathways, you will work towards a professional chartership such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

The apprentice journey

  1. Onboarding

    The apprentice is recruited and enrolled with an apprenticeship provider.

  2. On the job

    Keltbray places apprentices on sites that give them practical experience directly aligned with their training, ensuring they gain relevant skills and learning opportunities.

  3. Training

    The training provider gives you the knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete your academic qualification.

  4. Assessment

    Apprentices complete coursework, gather evidence and record off-the-job learning activities. At the end, they undertake an End Point Assessment to achieve their qualification.

  5. Support

    A line manager oversees tasks and checks progress to keep apprentices on track. A mentor provides guidance and models professional standards. The Learning and Development team supports managers and apprentices with resources and progress reviews.

Apprenticeship levels

The length of your apprenticeship will depend on your existing experience, qualifications and the job role you choose. This table explains the different levels of apprenticeship we typically offer.

Name

Level

Equivalent education level
Intermediate

2

5 GCSEs grade 4–9 / C–A*
Advanced

3

2 A Levels
Higher

4, 5 and 6

Foundation degree and above
Degree

6

Bachelor's or master's degree

Each apprenticeship will have different entry requirements, and our advertised vacancies will state what these are.

Professional development

Starting a new career is an exciting step, and at Keltbray we're committed to giving you every chance to grow, learn and build confidence.

Our Early Careers offer brings together a range of entry routes across the business, and we believe the best learning happens on real projects, alongside skilled teams and supported by people who enjoy sharing what they know. That's exactly what you'll find here: hands-on experience, backed by development that helps you progress both technically and professionally.

Alongside project experience, you'll have access to learning that strengthens the skills that matter in any role: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and a practical understanding of sustainability, inclusion and ethics. These are the skills that help you step up, take responsibility, and make a positive impact wherever your career takes you. You'll also get involved in community initiatives, visit major sites across the business, and connect with peers who are taking their first steps just like you.

My role, and the role of the People team at Keltbray, is to make sure you have the support and opportunities to get the most from your time with us. The more you put in, the more you'll gain, and you'll play your part in shaping Keltbray's future along the way.

James Dawson

Head of Learning and Development

The 5% Club

Keltbray is proud to be an accredited member of The 5% Club's 2025–2026 Employer Audit Scheme, a respected initiative recognising employers committed to developing their people through high-quality "earn and learn" opportunities.

As part of this UK-wide movement of more than 1,200 employers, The 5% Club champions accessible career pathways through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and sponsored student placements, helping young people gain skills, experience, and long-term employment.

After achieving Gold accreditation for three consecutive years, Keltbray has been recognised as a Platinum member. This honour reinforces our long-standing commitment to investing in talent and building an inclusive, skilled, and future-ready workforce.

Membership requires employers to

  • Commit at least 5% of their workforce to structured "earn and learn" programmes within five years
  • Report progress annually
  • Support efforts to close skills gaps and boost social mobility

Professional development

Our programmes sit at the heart of Keltbray's culture of innovation, inclusivity and integrity. We believe that different viewpoints, curiosity and resilience are essential to driving progress. This environment encourages people to challenge ideas, explore new approaches and grow through both success and setbacks.

Our apprentices

How did you get into construction?

I got into construction through family and friends who spoke highly of the industry and how rewarding it is. Their passion inspired me to explore it myself. What really drew me in was the tangibility of the work — being part of something real and lasting. It's an industry where your work truly matters.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop?

My apprenticeship has helped me combine theory with hands-on experience. It's given me practical skills and a deeper understanding of the role. By the time I'm qualified, I'll be well prepared to progress into a full quantity surveyor role.
What are your career aspirations after completing your apprenticeship?

Once I complete my apprenticeship, I plan to pursue my RICS chartership to further solidify my professional standing. My goal is to move into a managerial role where I can take on greater responsibility, lead projects, and mentor others coming into the industry. I'm committed to continuous development — both in technical skills and leadership — and I'm excited about the opportunities ahead.
How did you get into construction?

I'm a practical, hands-on person, and construction appealed to me because it combines teamwork, problem solving, and the chance to see real, lasting results each day. I wanted a career where I could learn, grow, and progress while contributing to projects that impact communities. That's what motivated me to become an apprentice.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop?

Starting on the Level 2 Demolition Operative Apprenticeship gave me a solid foundation of technical knowledge and on-site experience. It built my confidence, deepened my understanding of health and safety, and developed the practical skills I needed to be effective. Moving on to the Level 4 Site Supervisor Apprenticeship has pushed me to step up — I'm learning more about leadership, planning, and managing people and resources.
What are your career aspirations after completing your apprenticeship?

Looking ahead, I want to keep developing as a site manager and take on greater responsibilities in leading teams and delivering projects. My goal is to progress into a management role where I can apply my skills and support new apprentices coming through the same route. Ultimately, I'd like to build a long-term career making a positive contribution to the wider industry.

Ewart was also awarded Apprentice of the Year at the BPIC Awards 2025.

Undergraduates and graduates

Placement programmes

  • Keltbray offers summer and year-out industrial placements to individuals who are planning on, or currently studying for, a construction-related degree
  • We offer work placements in engineering, construction, and surveying, giving you the opportunity to put theory into practice and gain practical experience on one of our live projects
  • Our placement programmes offer you the chance to gain valuable hands-on work experience before you graduate and, in many cases, these opportunities often lead to a full-time graduate position
  • Placements vary in length, between 6–8 weeks for a summer placement and up to a year for a year-out industrial placement

Graduate programmes

  • We offer structured development within a professional workplace environment, supporting your progression and guiding you toward achieving the appropriate chartered status
  • We have well-established relationships with a range of professional institutions and industry partners, which means we can innovate our programmes ahead of the industry and nurture your skills to help you meet your ambitions

The Graduate Programme is set out in full in its own brochure.