Sustainability Graduate Programme
Programme title: Sustainability Graduate Programme
Salary: Minimum £35,000. Salary is dependent on location, role and qualifications.
Location: Rosyth, Fife, Scotland
Application closing date: 20 October 2026
Programme start date: September 2027
Role ID: 74546
What will you do on the programme?
On the Sustainability Graduate Programme, you’ll support the development and delivery of sustainability initiatives at Babcock. You’ll contribute to projects such as carbon reduction planning, energy efficiency, environmental impact assessment, sustainable supply chains, and social value initiatives like community engagement, inclusive practices, and responsible sourcing.
You’ll help collect, analyse and report sustainability data, tracking progress against environmental and social targets, while working with teams across the business to embed sustainability into everyday decision-making.
You’ll also contribute to innovation projects and sustainability strategy, developing your technical knowledge and understanding of how sustainability supports long-term business success.
How is the programme structured?
Our two-year graduate programme is designed to give you broad, meaningful experience across the business while helping you shape your career. You’ll complete six-month rotations in key areas such as Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR/People, Strategy and ESG, and Projects, building a strong understanding of how everything connects.
Throughout the programme, you’ll gain experience in both environmental performance and social impact, contributing to important challenges like decarbonisation, community value, and responsible business practices.
You’ll finish the programme with a final placement tailored to both business needs and your career ambitions, setting you up for your next step with confidence.
How do we develop and support you?
From day one, you’ll receive structured support, tailored training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.
You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.
We’ll also support you in working towards professional accreditation with the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), alongside training in environmental management, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and social value delivery.
What’s waiting for you after the programme?
When you complete the programme, you’ll move into a permanent role within our Sustainability function, where you can build on what you’ve learned and continue to develop your expertise. You’ll also have ongoing support to progress towards professional accreditation.
From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.
What rewards and benefits will you get?
We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.
In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:
- A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
- Generous pension and employee share schemes
- Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
- Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.
What do you need to apply?
- You'll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as environmental science, engineering, sustainability, business, social sciences, or a related field with a focus on environmental or social impact.
- A strong interest in sustainability and social impact, with good analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
- A proactive mindset and a genuine desire to make a positive difference.
- Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
Where will you be based?
Places on our Sustainability Graduate Programme for September 2027 are available in our Marine sector in Rosyth.
Our 320-acre Rosyth facility is home to one of the largest and most modern waterside advanced manufacturing and repair facilities in the UK. At Rosyth, we specialise in the design, build and through-life support of complex naval and commercial marine assets.
We offer agile working, giving you some flexibility, but you can expect to spend several days a week on-site as part of your role and development. By your start date, you must be able to reliably commute to the site. This will normally require living within a reasonable commuting distance of Rosyth or relocating before you join us.
Once you’ve successfully completed the programme, you’ll continue your career in the same location, so it’s worth considering this when applying.
Application process and important information
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.
We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.
We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
