What you’ll be doing
as a Waste Management Graduate
Year 1: Thames Valley Region
Support the Head of Region and senior leadership by driving key initiatives and strategic priorities. Gain frontline exposure, coordination experience, and insight into high-impact decision-making while working across functions, for a full view of waste operations.
Year 2: Reading Sewage Treatment Works/Thames Valley site
Learn to step into a leadership role within the Waste team, you will support managing day-to-day operations and driving improvements in wastewater treatment. Work with the site team to lead a multi-skilled team, monitor performance, ensure compliance, and champion operational excellence.
Beyond the Programme
Progress into a frontline leadership role with ownership of operational teams and site performance, or specialise in a technical area depending on your skills and interests.
Across your two‑year journey, you’ll be empowered by dedicated mentors and managers, with opportunities to:
1. Accelerate your business and personal growth through real-world development experiences
2. Build essential safety confidence with hands‑on health and safety training
3. Make a difference by getting involved in meaningful charity projects and personalised coaching
4. Expand your network through mentoring and collaboration with fellow graduates
5. Inspire future talent by becoming a STEM ambassador
What you should bring to the role
To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is
6. Achieved or working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the following disciplines: Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Construction Management, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology or Hydrogeology, Chemistry, STEM or management related degree
7. A full driving license, access to own vehicle and business travel insurance is required due to travel across your assigned region
8. A self-motivated, adaptable mindset confident in stepping into new environments
What’s in it for you?
9. Starting salary: Year 1 £32,000, Year 2 £34,000 per annum
10. Location: Year 1 - Travel required across the Thames Valley Region. Year 2 – Reading Sewage Treatment Works/Thames Water site in the Thames Valley Region
11. 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
12. Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
13. Generous Pension Scheme through AON
14. Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance