UK Degree Apprenticeship Programme: Environmental Practitioner

This is a degree apprenticeship (level 6) for individuals with A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

Shaping a Sustainable Future

As an Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentice, you will combine university study with hands-on experience, contributing to projects that protect the environment, strengthen communities, and create sustainable places.

You will join a supportive, multidisciplinary team and learn from experienced environmental professionals.

The Team: Water and Environment

Our Water and Environment specialists have over 100 years of experience, working on projects from planning and design through to operation and management. They focus on achieving positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes, assessing risks, and developing innovative solutions.

Your Apprenticeship

This is a paid degree apprenticeship combining work with study towards a nationally recognised qualification. You will develop technical, professional, and interpersonal skills with support from a line manager, mentor, other apprentices, and university tutors.

What You'll Be Doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development of sustainability strategies, Environmental Management Plans, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and Sustainability Appraisals.
• Assisting with EIA screening and scoping, and contributing to environmental assessments and reports.
• Collecting, managing, reviewing, and analysing environmental data.
• Supporting environmental surveys and site visits (e.g., ecology, air quality, noise).
• Preparing environmental drawings and plans, and using digital tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Undertaking research and literature reviews, and exploring environmental policy and legislation.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to understand environmental impacts and develop mitigation measures.
• Contributing to technical notes, reports, and project documentation.
• Supporting environmental modelling and quantitative analysis.
• Engaging with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Assisting with project, programme, and bid management activities.
• Exploring innovative approaches and solutions.

Safety is paramount, especially during site-based activities, and you will learn to plan and undertake work safely.

Occasional travel during the working day and for studies may be required.

Areas of Exposure

Your apprenticeship may expose you to areas such as:

• Air quality
• Archaeology and heritage
• Carbon
• Climate resilience
• Contaminated land
• Ecology
• Landscape and visual impact
• Noise and vibration
• Water
• Waste and resource management

You could also contribute to projects in sectors including water, flood management, roads, rail, and defence.

Candidate Specification

We are looking for candidates with the following strengths:

• Proactive initiative and efficiency.
• Effective and clear communication.
• High-quality written work with attention to detail.
• Structured and analytical problem-solving approach.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald is not offering sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Applications from candidates on Graduate visas or other time-limited visas will not be accepted due to their temporary nature. Applications are welcomed from candidates eligible for alternative UK immigration routes that do not require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Visas must cover the duration of the apprenticeship. Successful candidates must have resided in the country of application for at least three years.

About Your Development

This apprenticeship includes a three-year early careers soft skills development programme, 'Accelerating your Future', designed to equip you with skills for a successful career. You will be assigned a mentor for professional training needs.

Benefits

• Financial Wellbeing: Biannual salary reviews (first three years, subject to probation), pension contributions matching between 4.5% and 7%, life assurance up to 4x basic salary (option to increase to 6x), income protection scheme, flexible benefits, and annual bonus schemes.
• Employee Ownership: A culture of shared success, with employees having a stake and voice in the business, and opportunities for personal and group performance bonuses. Ownership stake grows with career progression.
• Health and Wellbeing: Private medical insurance, health cash plan, access to menopause expert support via Peppy, comprehensive wellbeing program, and flexible salary options for health benefits.
• Lifestyle: 33 days holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays, increasing to 35 after 5 years' service), with the option to buy or sell leave. 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Employee saving schemes and discounts.
• Enhanced Family and Carers Leave: Enhanced policies for maternity, adoption, paternity/partner leave, and shared parental leave. Up to five additional days leave for significant caring responsibilities (two paid). Support for military families.
• Networks, Communities, and Social Outcomes: Access to Employee Networks (LGBTQ+, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, parents/carers), support for Armed Forces Covenant signatories, and opportunities to contribute to social outcomes.

Agile Working

A hybrid working policy is in place, balancing client, team, and personal commitments.

Application Process

• Application form
• Online strengths-based assessment
• Single-stage strengths-based interview

CVs and cover letters are not required.

Closing Date

Applications will close on 15th January 2027.