2026 Building Services Industrial Placement

Laing O'Rourke group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in the UK seeks Building Services Trainee for its Industrial Placement Programme. The role offers a 12-month paid placement for students studying engineering and includes hands-on experience on projects, technical training, and the possibility to join the Graduate Development Programme. Successful candidates must be eligible to work in the UK and achieve certain academic standards.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an accredited degree program.
• Eligibility to work in the UK without restrictions.
• On target to achieve a 1st or 2:2 degree classification.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing mechanical, electrical, and public health (MEP) installations.
• Ensure technical excellence throughout project delivery.
• Support the use of digital engineering and sustainable technologies.

Skills

Engineering principles

Project management

Team collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Building Services Engineering or similar

Job description

Industrial Placement – Building Services Trainee

Our Industrial placement programme is designed for the brightest and most ambitious undergraduates. You will benefit from the opportunity to enhance your academic studies with an engaging series of paid work placements that will give you a head start as you enter the world of work.

Laing O'Rourke offers undergraduate placement to those students studying a construction related degree.

Our Industrial placement programme offers undergraduates a 12 month placement for those who are passionate about achieving their career ambitions in the built environment. Perform well enough and you may get the chance to join our Graduate Development Programme.

Your Industrial placement will give you an insight into our world‑class project-based business. You will get hands‑on experience of working on one of our construction sites, along with structured training, group activities, guidance and support which will aid you with your university education.

You will also be invited to attend our core six‑week summer programme which has been designed for you to get the most value from the placement. The six learning sessions will complement your practical experience on site.

Role Overview

A Building Services Engineer Trainee assists in the engineering and management of mechanical, electrical, and public health (MEP) installations throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. They sit within the MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Controls & Automation) Technical Function of the business.

For successful candidates, initial experience will be obtained across the MEP disciplines before focusing on either mechanical, electrical, or public health engineering in line with their existing qualifications.

The Building Services Engineer Trainee help to ensure technical excellence and the safe and effective delivery of projects through design, procurement, technical appraisal, installation, commissioning, and handover stages.

Off‑site manufacturing solutions, Digital Engineering methods and sustainable technologies are at the forefront of how we deliver projects and trainee Building Services Engineers are key to help drive this for MEP works.

Locations we are recruiting for:

As a project‑led business, the location of our work can vary depending on project needs. This role may require you to be prepared to relocate to project sites across the UK.

Degree subjects we are looking for:

Building Services Engineering, Architectural Engineering or similar

Career Progression:

Students who complete a successful Industrial placement will be automatically put forward for our Graduate Development Programme. This means you will not need to apply nor go through the assessment centre process.

Entry Requirements:

• You must be eligible to work in the UK without restrictions with a valid work permit, if applicable.
• You will be required to travel and possibly relocate for your rotational placements.
• You must be on target to achieve a 1st or 2:2 degree classification.
• You must be currently studying an accredited degree in your specific field.

Our Application Process

We are committed to providing a clear and supportive recruitment journey. Here is what you can expect when applying for one of our graduate opportunities:

• CV Submission
  Submit your CV for review. We will assess your application against the entry criteria for the role you are applying for.
• Online Assessment
  You will complete a series of assessments designed to understand how you approach workplace situations, your preferred ways of working, as well as exercises to evaluate your critical thinking and numerical reasoning skills.
• Video Interview
  At this stage, you will be invited to record responses to two questions set by our hiring team. You will have sufficient time to prepare and ensure you present yourself confidently.
• Teams Interview
  Our placement interviews are held via Microsoft Teams which provide you an opportunity to meet the hiring team and for you to demonstrate your skills through a combination of questions.
• Outcome
  We aim to provide feedback and communicate the outcome of your interview within two weeks.

Accessibility and Support

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all candidates. If you require any adjustments or support with your application, or at any stage of the process, please do not hesitate to contact us [e-mail]

The Industrial Programme will commence in 2026 and is only available in the UK.