Aberdeenshire Council has a launched a graduate sponsorship scheme to attract the 'brightest and best' engineers upon their graduation.

The sponsorship scheme, now in its second year, aims to assist students interested in working in a local government environment to undertake a wide range of engineering and transportation activities.

Aberdeenshire Council offers excellent training opportunities to help candidates achieve Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status, coupled with an industry competitive salary of £24,438 on graduation and favourable terms and conditions of employment including pension provisions.

The scheme is open to current students of a course approved by the Engineering Council (UK) including: MSc Civil Engineering, MEng Civil Engineering and MSc Transportation.

Students will be entering their third or later year of study and must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Applications for the scheme must be submitted near or at the start of the academic year and only complete years will be considered for sponsorship.


Ewan Wallace, head of transportation and supervising civil engineer for Aberdeenshire Council, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for the brightest and best engineering students to join our organisation.

"Through the graduate sponsorship scheme we aim to attract the cream of engineering talent to Aberdeenshire Council. Successful applicants will secure an industry competitive annual salary upon graduation and will work on exciting projects with a highly motivated workforce.

"They will also be encouraged to enrol in our approved Civil Engineer Training Scheme offering a structured programme to assist with professional registration."

Sponsored candidates will commit to paid employment with the council during the Summer and Easter holidays and to join and stay in the council's employment at the successful conclusion of their studies.

Successful candidates may be located at one of seven main centres in Aberdeenshire – Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Alford, Inverurie, Ellon, Strichen and Banff – and have the opportunity to gain experience in the various activities of the authority.

Sponsorship will be subject to regular review of the student's progress throughout their final year and during periods of employment.

The sponsorship package includes a payment of £1,000, which will be paid in three instalments, guaranteed paid employment during the Summer and Easter holidays, mentoring by a chartered engineer, access to extensive technical library, on the job training and guaranteed paid employment at the successful conclusion of the course of studies.

For more information and an application form for the Graduate Engineer Sponsorship Scheme, visit: www.enjoyworkenjoylife.org/scheme_ges.html

(GK/BMcC)