Graduate Estimator

We have exciting opportunities for our leading-edge Graduate programme for a Estimator - the roles are based within 2 locations for start from September 2022

About the project

Current key locations for these roles are:

Manchester and Maidenhead

*On application for this role, please ensure that you identify which location or area's of the country you are applying for

About the role

The estimating team is part of the central work winning function responsible for competitively pricing contracts to secure the order book for Costain. As the business has diversified into consultancy, we also work client side, providing strategic advice and cost estimation guidance. We work across all sectors in the business, so the role has huge variety and due to the strategic nature of our role must sell our solutions to senior stakeholders. 

The ideal candidate will be highly numerate, with an engineering, commercial or project management background. The complexity of our projects will not be solved by an individual, as such we are looking for a candidate who can work collaboratively, actively engaging within a team, and communicating effectively with diverse groups. Solutions are often a work in progress, we also need a candidate who is analytical and a problem solver willing to challenge solutions to deliver best value.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Working closely within a bid team whilst learning the requirements and aquiring the skills involved in the preparation of analytical estimate
• Learning what is required for pricing bids under various forms of contract including Traditional NEC, Target Cost, Design & Build, Specification & Drawing or ECI bids
• Production of quantities from drawings and specifications in line with a recognised method of measurement under supervision of a senior, lead or managing estimator
• Learn to abstract material and sub-contract requirements for sourcing and pricing under supervision of a senior, lead or managing estimator
• Review and appraise material and subcontractor quotations under supervision of a senior / lead estimator
• Learning about the identification of risk and pricing of risks throughout through participation in risk workshops and coaching from senior estimator
• Learning in respect of the use of estimating software as a basis of preparing the estimate
• Work with the project delivery team and planning team to agree construction techniques which form the basis of estimating strategy
• Work with the sustainability team to develop Carbon base line estimates essential for meeting Costain's corporate strategy

Competency

• Maintains accurate and clear estimating notes, clarifications and assumptions
• Achieves the relevant saftey training and CSCS card in order to access a live site in order to undertake site inspections and visits during the estimating stage for the project
• Communicates well both written and verbally at all workshops and meeting from the estimating perspective
• Demonstrates good practice in respect of document control and the storage and retrieval of general estimating records
• Understands the importance of good document control during the bid process and applies techniques to preserve data for the project

Costain's Graduate Development Programme

The programme will focus on helping you to grow your personal and leadership skills, alongside business and of course, the technical skills you will learn day-to-day on the job.

The programme is delivered in a variety of formats throughout the 2 years and will allow you to establish a network of contacts that will help and support you through your first 2 years and beyond. We expect some of our graduates to rotate after a period of 8-12 months, to another project/sector of the business to fully understand the depth and breadth of the services offered by the company.

Our line managers are fully supportive of the Graduate Development Programme and will be involved in helping you along the way.
In addition to the programme, we offer mentoring and support in every area of work, as well as a structured training programme to enable graduates to work towards achieving Chartership.

Graduates may have the opportunity to work on a number of exciting and progressive projects around the UK during the 2-year period, in sectors including nuclear, highways, rail, water, airports and tunnels

About you

• You will have or expected to achieve a good result in a relevant discipline
• Have passion for Costain's Carbon Net Zero targets
• IT proficient
• Able to work accurately and appreciate its importance to the team
• A willingness to learn with appropriate instruction
• Excel at building and maintaining positive relationships
• The ability to thrive in pressured situations
• The ability to empathise and communicate with all people, regardless of their background or circumstances
• Excellent organisation, communication, and time management skills
• Mobility to work on various projects over the 2-year programme throughout the UK

* Please note that if you are invited to interview, we will require you to produce your passport and/or right to work documentation

As some of our project sites are based in remote locations, it is worth noting that you will be required to have the ability to travel to site

About Costain

Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.

Your application

Should you require any adjustments to support you in your application, please do not hesitate to contact us: earlycareers@costain.com

We welcome all applicants regardless of age, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic background and physical or neurological disabilities.

We welcome you to ask about the flexibility you need for dynamic working. Such as, working part-time, remote working, or compressed hours. In return, we will explore what is possible.

Right to Work & Security Checks

Understandably given the nature of our business, everyone who is employed at Costain must undergo thorough referencing checks. We will need different information depending on the job we have offered you. For all roles, we'll carry out a criminal record check and we’ll ask to see evidence that you have the legal right to work in the UK.

For some of our roles, you may be required to obtain and maintain security clearance of at least Security Check level (or SC clearance). To satisfy the requirements, you will need to have been a legal UK resident for a minimum of 5 years and have successfully complete all stages of the vetting process.

Closing date

Please note that Costain reserves the right to bring forward the closing date of any of its job vacancies if we receive a suitable number of quality applications from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we recommend at you apply as soon as possible rather than wait until the published closing date.