2026 Graduate Programme - Mobility - Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainability

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Job Description

2026 Graduate Programme – Mobility – Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainability (TDS)

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

We are looking for a Graduate to join our Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainability team, who can be based out of our London, Manchester, Leeds or Cardiff offices. You will be passionate about taking action on climate change through decarbonising transport and have an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects, and we will also help you to broaden your experience to deepen your specialist skills in line with your career aspirations.

Your Team – Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainability (TDS)

Our Transport Decarbonisation and Sustainability (TDS) team are a group of carbon specialists that work as part of our wider Transport & Mobility business unit – we bring carbon to the forefront of the transport planning discipline. Our team was established to guide clients and colleagues through the complex challenge of transport decarbonisation and embed carbon, thinking at the heart of our wider transport planning services.

The TDS team deliver a wide range of decarbonisation services including, but not limited to:

  • Carbon assessment and management for transport infrastructure projects
  • Quantification and assessment of carbon to inform transport strategies and plans
  • Development of carbon management policies and advice for local transport authorities
  • Authoring of government guidance and development of industry best practice
  • Development of innovative tools to enable carbon quantification and assessment
  • Climate risk screening and identification of measures to improve climate resilience.

Since Its Inception Three Years Ago, Our TDS Team Has Been At The Forefront Of Change In The Industry. This Includes

  • Authoring the Department for Transport’s Quantifiable Carbon Reduction guidance
  • Working with the Sub-National Transport Bodies to develop baseline emissions models and supporting regional decarbonisation strategies
  • Advising local authority clients on the scale of and solutions to the transport decarbonisation challenge
  • Developing carbon management policies for major transport programmes and organisations.

As the largest supplier of professional services to local government, we are in an exciting position to influence change across the industry through engagement with our clients and upskilling our wider Mobility team to embed the skills and services we develop.

Joining the team at this critical time for climate action presents a great opportunity to influence transport policies, shape WSP’s and our client’s decarbonisation approaches, and play a meaningful role on the national pathway to net zero.

Your day-to-day activities could include

  • Whole Life Carbon Assessment: Use tools to quantify carbon emissions and identify hotspots
  • Carbon Management: Prepare and facilitate carbon workshops, work with specialists to identify opportunities to reduce carbon and improve climate resilience
  • Data Analysis: Collect and analyse data to forecast future transport emissions in various scenarios
  • Communication: Translate technical insights into a digestible, tailored format
  • Reporting: Draft Carbon Management Plans and Assessment Reports
  • Project Management: Assist in planning and monitoring projects from concept to delivery
  • Innovation and Research: Stay updated with industry trends
  • Collaboration: Work with multi-disciplinary teams to establish a holistic picture of impacts and identify the optimal solutions for addressing the decarbonisation challenge.

Graduate Development Programme

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are committed to your career growth from the very beginning. We encourage you to achieve chartership with relevant professional bodies such as CIHT or ISEP, ensuring your development is a priority.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on either of the following links –

Graduate brochure or Graduate Webpage

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. Relevant subjects may include geography, planning, engineering, sustainability, or climate change.

  • Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.
  • You'll be looking to start work in September 2026.
  • You’ll have a passion for planning and consultingand want to contribute towards mitigating climate change and improving climate resilience
  • You’ll be comfortable handling and interpreting data, using MS Excel, and report writing
  • You’ll have an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems
  • You’ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our roles, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure - Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.