Life #insideAtkins

In your first year this two-day induction gets you together with the other 300+ graduates joining the business. There are also workshops, skill-building sessions and a legendary dinner and drinks reception. 

Each year our new UK graduates relish the challenge to raise money for RedR – the international disaster relief charity that Atkins patronises. It works to save and rebuild lives of people throughout the world who are affected by natural and man-made disasters. Next year your aim will be to top last year's impressive fundraising total of over £20,000.

For 8 years running our Graduate Ski Trip has been the biggest event of the Graduate social calendar. This year over 100 young professionals – ranging from expert skiers/snowboarders to complete beginners – headed to Val Thorens in the French Alps for a week of skiing and socialising! Events throughout the week included group meals, bowling, tobogganing and a Fancy Dress Bar Crawl! The trip is the best way to make personal and professional connections with fellow Graduates across the whole company – the recent trip saw graduates come together from over 20 different offices across the UK.

The Atkins Graduate Summer Trip usually takes place over the bank holiday weekend. Last year a group of graduates travelled to Dublin to experience beautiful Ireland. This year is a trip to Budapest! The Summer Trip Committee always has amazing activities planned in the itinerary. The Summer Trip is a great way to get away for a weekend with colleagues from all over the UK and try something a little different!

The purpose of the Graduate Forum is to unite the UK Graduate Community across each of the five businesses and to ensure every voice is heard and has the power to influence. Representatives from each business reach out to their respective communities and listen to the needs and desires of each graduate. The forum turns graduates' ideas into reality and brings about not only positive change within the GDP but also across Atkins.

During your time on our graduate programme you may get the opportunity to complete a secondment or placement in a different part Atkins. If you work in transportation or infrastructure this could be across to Bangalore in India as well as various secondments across the UK with other business areas. From learning new skills, to forging new relationships, to discovering a vibrant culture- overseas secondments are just some of the experiences that await you. Read about Jane, Charlotte and Tom's experience here.

The Young Professional Awards is a scheme which was developed by the graduate and apprentice community in 2017 as a means of celebrating their peers who go above and beyond. The competition gives our early careers colleagues the opportunity to demonstrate their dedication and contribution to the business, as well as raise their profile and gain the recognition they deserve.

Socials on the programme include anything from pub crawls and meals out, to karting, bouldering or ice skating. The graduate forum at Atkins organises annual summer trips abroad, including the annual ski trips to France.

In years two and three there are events to reflect on your performance and network with your fellow graduate peers:
Year two event: A two-day workshop with a group of graduates from across the company. You'll develop team-working, communication skills and learn about innovation and client engagement.
Year three event: A workshop which covers a range of topics to develop interpersonal skills, such as influencing, managing conflict and managing change. You will also consider your career aspirations and produce a personal development plan.

At the end of the three-year programme Atkins holds a summer event to formally recognise the achievements of the graduates who have completed the programme. The event features development and sporting activities, as well as an evening dinner. Read more here.