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Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today's built environment. Together we help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world.
Our Access and Inclusive Environments team's inclusive approach includes consultation and engagement with user groups, as well as reference to ongoing research and industry-related guidance papers that suggest good practice.
We work collaboratively with the project teams, enabling inclusive design to be an integral part of our solutions. Working as a multi-disciplinary team allows us to work with a variety of people, on a wide variety of complex projects, including a wide range of existing and new build sites containing elements such as residential, commercial, education, sports, transport and public realm, from concept to tender phase, construction and hand over.
Access and Inclusive Environments - Designing inclusively provides buildings and landscapes that are accessible for all users and maximises freedom for all, including disabled people, different age groups, different backgrounds, identities and circumstances. Our Access and Inclusive Environments team works with clients to incorporate inclusive design into their schemes by providing best practice guidance and practical solutions.
Accessible design - meets minimum codes, for example a ramp to provide access to a building for wheelchair users and provision of male and female toilets inside.
Inclusive design - reflects the diversity of our communities and allows people to experience and access buildings and facilities in an equal manner – so if this ramp is at the back of the building, away from the entrance, then this is not inclusive. An automatic sliding door that allows everyone to access the building through the same entry point is inclusive. Provision of a range of toilets will allow a range of gender identities, access and cultural / religious needs to be met.
Role overview
We have an opportunity for a Graduate Access Consultant to join our Accessible Environments team for this unique multi-disciplinary practice in London or Manchester.
You'll help us to deliver effective and professional services for a range of varied and high-profile clients. While you'll have a great deal of responsibility from day one, we'll give you the chance to take on more as you progress and broaden your skills. you will initially shadow the team to learn the skills necessary to become an Access Consultant, with a mixture of work experience, research and through your attendance of courses and conferences.
Working with our senior consultants, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about inclusive design, develop skills and subsequently work on your own projects.
We are considering applicants with a variety of experience, and this should be outlined clearly in your application.
The nature of the work is such that you could be working on several projects at the same time. Keeping up to date with new guidance documents and changes within the world of accessibility and inclusive design is essential to this role. This can be by means of professional publications highlighted by organisations such as the Access Association and the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC), as well as attendance of relevant external and in-house courses and conferences. We work globally, so familiarisation of legislation and guidance documents from the relevant regions will also be required going forward.
What we are looking for
We're looking for graduates who are passionate about accessibility and inclusive design in the built environment, with excellent planning and organisation skills. If you can combine these skills with an understanding of (or willingness to learn about) the social impacts of inclusive design, and a desire to deliver excellent services for clients, we'd like to hear from you.
- The most important quality for this role is that you are passionate about accessibility and inclusive design in the built environment
- Degree in a subject such as Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Psychology, Ergonomics, General Engineering, Engineering Science, Human Factors, Law, Public Policy, Social Science, Town Planning, and Urban Design are all relevant (not an exhaustive list)
- Highly motivated and willing to take on new challenges. We would support knowledge and experience to move towards accreditation and registration with the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC)
You must be available to start this opportunity in September 2022.
What we offer you
Beyond a great salary and stimulating, technically challenging work, Arup offers a range of additional benefits to its people.
As a membership organisation, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme. Our people also have access to a range of broader wellbeing benefits.
You'll have access to lots of learning opportunities including a structured induction and ongoing training through Arup university.
Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to utilise your technical expertise to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the communities in which we live and work through Arup's community engagement programme.
