Enter the engineering industry with SES
Careers
guide.
About us
SES is recognised as one of the leading mechanical and electrical services partners in the UK. We have been carrying out engineering works for the last 65 years, working on some of the most challenging and exciting projects in the country.
To us, construction and engineering is more than just building and pipes and wires.
It’s also a chance for us to positively impact the communities in which we work and create an inclusive, welcoming environment that supports emerging talent into our industry.
Our team
We employ a talented team of trade professionals to carry out electrical, mechanical and plumbing services on site but that’s not all we do. There are a variety of office based functions that make up our business and help make it so successful that may surprise you. Let’s find out more about the different roles and responsibilities and the skills you would need if you wanted join one of our talented teams.
What we do
We provide engineering services to a range of specialist sectors including:
Aviation
Commercial
Custodial
Defence
Education
Energy and Infrastructure
Leisure
Residential development schemes
(airports)
(offices)
(prisons, custody centres)
(The Royal Army
and Navy)
(energy centres, bridges, train stations)
(universities, schools, colleges, student accommodation)
HR: Human
Resources
Are you
a people
person?
Do you
like writing
and research?
Bid /
Proposals
Are you
passionate about people and the environment?
Social
value
Are you
creative?
Design / Technology
Do you
like solving problems?
Health
& Safety
Are you
a good communicator?
Marketing
Working in the marketing team is all about promoting our business and communicating with our target audiences. You work on campaigns, write content for our website and social media channels, help with marketing plans, advertising, event organisation and research.
Our health and safety team use their expertise to create a safe environment for our employees on our sites and in our offices. You carry out risk assessments / site inspections, produce reports / newsletters and develop training around safety legislation and health and wellbeing.
Our design team is responsible for developing digital processes to help our engineers plan and deliver our projects. You work with 3D models, drawings and data to support our customers, architects and site teams.
Our social value team works with our customers to deliver and report on community investment activities to improve outcomes for the local community and environment. You work with communities to support local projects, carry out events to help with employment and training, engage with schools and help fundraise.
Our bid team prepares documents that are used to win new work for the business. You carry out research and work with planning teams to design, write, edit and submit bid documents.
Working in human resources involves engaging with a range of people and solving challenges. Our HR team is ultimately responsible for supporting our employees. You develop policies, training programmes and help with recruitment.
Starting your career with us
Making the first steps in your career can be both a daunting and exciting time. At SES we are always looking to hire talented people from all walks of life and give you our full support as you start your journey with us.
Our Early Careers programme offers a range of exciting development opportunities to school and college leavers, undergraduates, graduates as well as trade professionals. Our programmes provide you with the foundation skills you need to build a long-term, successful career. No matter what your background or experience, we’ll help you find the right path where you can explore, grow and thrive.
With the opportunity to rotate around our business during your training, you’ll get to work with and be mentored by some of the best professionals in the industry whilst networking and collaborating with your peers. We trust you to get involved from the moment you walk through the door, empowering you with variety and responsibility. Each day is different, and the pathways and possibilities are endless!
Apprenticeships at SES
An apprenticeship is a full-time job which also includes training and professional development. It is a chance to develop valuable skills and experience and gain a recognised qualification at the same time.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are an exciting part of our Early Careers programme and we have a range of opportunities available with different parts of our business. We believe in promoting from within and many of our apprentices have progressed to senior management positions and are still with the company today.
Around 90% of apprentices are offered full-time employment after completing their programme.
90%
Our programmes
BUSINESS & TRADE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME (L2 & 3)
HIGHER & DEGREE LEVEL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME (L4 & 6)
T-LEVEL Placement
SHARED APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES
There is no better way of understanding what an apprenticeship is really like than to hear from those who are currently completing their training with us.
Our Early Careers Vacancies..
Useful Websites
findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
National apprenticeship website where you can register your profile, search vacancies and apply for an apprenticeship
notgoingtouni.co.uk
Apprenticeship job board where over 1,000 providers are advertising their apprenticeship vacancies
Apprenticeship resources
targetjobs.co.uk
Search for internships, graduate schemes and professional postgraduate courses
milkround.com
Leading resource for student and graduate jobs and advice
gradcracker.com
Careers website for Stem students looking for internships and graduate schemes
ice.org.uk
Institute of Civil Engineers
rics.org.uk
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
istructe.org
Institute of Structural Engineers
cibse.org
The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
ciob.org
The Chartered Institute of Building
rtpi.org.uk
The Royal Town Planning Institute
goconstruct.org
A wealth of construction careers information advice and guidance
Graduate resources
Engineering resources
Q&A
with
Robert
Cannon
Heating & Ventilation Apprentice
Business Administration Apprentice
with
Leigha
Byrne
Q&A
Electrical Apprentice
With
Phoebe Lewins
Q&A
T-Level Business Placement
with
Caitlin Tunney
Q&A
Tell us about your role.
Q&A with Robert Cannon
I am currently in my 2nd year of my apprenticeship. My current role is working beside a senior craftsman, who is teaching me all the different fittings and brackets we will be using throughout the project. I am currently cutting my own brackets and clips and installing under the supervision of my trainer.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I have always been hands on, working previously as a mechanic, where I helped fix all sorts of cars and bikes. When I saw the opportunity to develop my skills working on big engineering projects I applied for the apprenticeship instantly.
What subjects did you enjoy at school?
I always enjoyed PE, Maths and Science, as they were my strongest subjects.
What skills do you need for your role?
To work well in a team and be practical in my approach. You need to have good communication skills to be able to work with other trades and good math skills for measuring and working drawings.
What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?
To be more confident. I feel my confidence has grown massively over the last year and I’ve learnt to get involved in daily start right meetings and voice any concerns I have with regards safety on site.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
I have always enjoyed been hands-on. Reading drawings, setting up my work area and being trusted to get on with my tasks independently.
What has surprised you about working in this industry?
How technical it is. Every measure for the pipes we use is down to the millimetre and very precise. And how many different types of people and roles it takes to complete a project and the design and planning that goes into it even before the building is out of the ground.
Do you have any advice for the next cohort of apprentices?
Don’t be shy. Always ask questions no matter how small and always listen to the advice you are given. Give your best day in, day out, and show the right attitude to learning.
Heating and Ventilation Apprentice
Tell us about your role.
Q&A with Leigha Byrne
Business Administration Apprentice
My role is very versatile as I work within the office and out on site. I do a lot of document control on site and in the office so my day varies quite a lot.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I chose my apprenticeship because I was looking for something that I would enjoy after university where I could learn and earn at the same time.
What subjects did you enjoy at school?
Sociology, Biology and Maths.
What skills do you need for your role?
Computer skills, communication skills and confidence.
What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?
The most valuable skill I’ve learnt is to believe in yourself.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy being out on site the most and working in a fast-paced environment with a team of people from different backgrounds and experiences.
What has surprised you about working in this industry?
The amount of different career avenues that there are within one business. It isn’t just engineering and construction, it’s also social value, procurement, finance etc.
Do you have any advice for the next cohort of apprentices?
My advice would be that you can do anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and push yourself out of your comfort zone as much as possible. If there is an opportunity there, grab it with both hands!
Tell us about your role.
Q&A with Phoebe Lewins
Electrical Apprentice
I am an electrical apprentice and so far my role has involved mostly manual tasks such as working at height drilling into modules and installing rods to 2D modules. Most recently I have been pulling cables through for the lampposts in the site car park. I have also been completing my First Aid and Fire Marshall training.
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
I knew I wanted to be in a trade at school and enjoyed manual work over sitting in a classroom environment. Electrical work runs in the family, and I have past experience helping out in an electrical business. I knew the background of being an electrician and what it involves so knew I would enjoy it.
What subjects did you enjoy at school?
My favourite subjects at school were practical subjects such as Science and PE.
What skills do you need for your role?
You need to be hands-on and be good at Maths and Physics. You also need teamwork and patience.
What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?
The most valuable skill I have learnt so far is lighting protection, making sure any potential lighting hits are not dangerous.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
Working with a big team of people to help finish a job.
What has surprised you about working in this industry?
The thing that has surprised me the most is that I don’t get treated any differently for being a woman. Everyone has been so welcoming.
Do you have any advice for the next cohort of apprentices?
My advice for the next intake of apprentices would be to focus, ask plenty of questions and be friendly to other trades to help each other out.
Tell us about your role.
Q&A with Caitlin Tunney
T-Level Business Placement
I am on a T-Level placement. I’m learning about all aspects of the business, doing independent work, working in a team and observing meetings. I work two days at college and two days at my placement with SES every week.
What subjects did you enjoy at school?
On my current course I enjoy learning about finance, project management and law.
Tell us more about the team you work with?
So far I have mainly worked with the social value team. They help SES to be considerate to the community and environment. Also, I’ve worked with the quantity surveying team that have many aspects to their job role such as dealing with contracts and checking technical drawings.
What skills do you need for your role?
Good writing skills to produce reports and presentations. You also need to be good with technology to be able to use Microsoft apps efficiently and access documents. There is lots to understand so you also need perseverance.
What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?
I have learnt how to properly use Excel which will be really helpful in the future.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy learning how to do new things and I like to understand the considerations before a project starts as there are so many different stages before construction begins. I have also enjoyed working with the social value team, they help SES to be considerate to the community and environment.
What has surprised you about working in this industry?
I have been surprised by the variety of jobs that play a big role in what happens during construction.
Do you have any advice for the next cohort of apprentices?
My advice would be to meet as many people as possible and ask about their jobs. Also, try to absorb all the information you can - I’ve been taking notes which has really helped me.
Our industry recognised business and trade apprenticeships are a great opportunityto build your career from the ground up. Once you have completed yourprogramme, you will be fully qualified in a trade or business role with a nationallyrecognised qualification.
Apprenticeships include:
> Plumbing
> Heating / Ventilation
> Electrical
> Business Administration
Our higher and degree apprenticeships will support you all the way towards getting your Batchelor’s degree and full chartership. You’ll experience numerous placements ensuringyou get a range of practical experience across our diverse business.
Roles include:
> Site Management
> Quantity Surveying
> Building Services
> Engineering
> Planning
> Estimating
> Design Management
> Business Management
T-Level apprenticeships are an alternative to A levels that focus on vocational skills and can help you into skilled employment, higher study or further apprenticeships. They are 80% classroom based with the remaining 20% in an industry placement where you can put the skills you’ve learnt into practice. At SES, we provide a 45-day, in-depth placement to give you a valuable experience in a working environment.
We also offer opportunities through the shared apprenticeship scheme. We work in partnership with apprenticeship training agencies who directly employ the apprentice and place them onto one of our sites for an agreed period of time. Our shared apprenticeship opportunities are advertised locally.
© SES Engineering Services 2024
What was your first week like?
My first week was a great transition into the business. I met lots of people and had support with all my tasks.
What is a ‘typical day’ for you at work?
A typical day will start with a chat with my co-workers to catch up, then I usually start a task or go into a meeting. Before I start work everyone makes sure I'm clear on what I need to do. I'll usually do lots of small jobs on my laptop, producing reports and data.
What was your first week like?
My first week was a great transition into the business. I met lots of people and had support with all my tasks.
What is a ‘typical day’ for you at work?
A typical day will start with a chat with my co-workers to catch up, then I usually start a task or go into a meeting. Before I start work everyone makes sure I'm clear on what I need to do. I'll usually do lots of small jobs on my laptop, producing reports and data.
Our Early Careers vacancies are LIVE!
Click here to find out more!