Learning and Development Advisor

Costain Group PLC

. Attract, recruit, develop, and retain early-career candidates through academic and community projects .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeUnited KingdomMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing Early Careers programs, including recruitment, development, and apprenticeship processes while ensuring compliance with industry standards. Strong ability to build relationships with stakeholders and translate complex data into actionable insights.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Early Careers ExperienceApprenticeship DevelopmentStakeholder Relationship ManagementLearning Management Systems AdministrationData Analysis and Reporting

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Degree in HR/LearningProgram ManagementData TranslationContinuous Improvement MindsetApprenticeship Legislation Knowledge

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationRelationship-BuildingProblem-SolvingAdaptabilityConfidentiality

Tools & Technologies

OracleCornerstoneMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlook

Industry Keywords

Technical SectorEngineeringConstructionProfessional Development PathwaysOfsted Standards

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Oracle

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Attract, recruit, develop, and retain early-career candidates through academic and community projects
Provide support and guidance to Early Careers participants and line managers
Ensure development and technical offerings address critical skills shortages and comply with industry bodies, chartered professional bodies, national occupational standards, and Costain requirements and budgets
Project-manage the graduate technical curriculum and implement it for each annual intake with discipline stakeholders
Generate data and insights to improve the relevance and quality of the Early Careers portfolio
Collaborate with preferred suppliers, academic and industry boards, subject matter experts, and the wider Talent and Development team
Manage Apprentice Tri-Partite review schedules and attend at least two reviews per annum alongside line managers
Maintain progress reports and supplier quality
Support relationships with partner universities, colleges, and training providers
Create an ongoing recruitment pipeline through placements, apprenticeships, and graduate programmes
Collaborate with Project HR teams and Talent Acquisition to maximize attraction for available roles
Build stakeholder relationships to support learners completing qualifications through meetings with managers, trainers, assessors, and verifiers
Promote apprentice and academic offerings, including T Levels programmes, and support upskilling roles
Collaborate with further and higher education providers and sector skills councils to support workforce development
Advise line managers on apprenticeship on- and off-the-job learning requirements and Knowledge, Skills and Experience expectations
Support Early Careers participants pursuing chartership
Develop a preferred supplier network for apprenticeship training and ensure required Costain, industry, and Ofsted standards are met

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree or equivalent in HR/Learning or relevant industry knowledge
Early Careers experience, preferably gained within the technical/engineering/construction sector
Strong communication, relationship-building, engagement, influence, and problem-solving skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion and diplomacy
Ability to adapt clear and concise communications to different stakeholders
Proven ability with IT packages including Word, Excel, and Outlook
Ability to translate complex data and costs into clear and tangible insights
Experience managing multiple programmes with tight deadlines and competing demands
Experience administering, reporting on, and using different learning management systems
Continuous improvement mindset and ability to maximize technology to generate efficiencies
Demonstrated experience and knowledge in developing and supporting apprenticeships and traineeships
Proven expertise in organising, problem-solving, and monitoring work programmes
Desirable: understanding of the Early Careers landscape
Desirable: experience in recruitment and development of Early Careers participants
Desirable: experience with apprenticeship processes and legislation, including management of a Digital Account
Desirable: knowledge of professional institutes, competence assurance, professional development pathways, and funding routes
Desirable: experience with Oracle and Cornerstone
Desirable: experience of Graduate Development and working with external training providers
Desirable: experience supporting Early Careers budgets and forecasting

Benefits

Comp & perks

Permanent employment option
Fixed-term contract option
Hybrid working arrangement