Graduate Programme – Evolve

Evolve is our flagship Graduate Programme.

Rotational placements are designed to provide you with technical knowledge and expertise across several disciplines. Additional core development will enhance your leadership skills and business acumen.  

By selecting any one of the Evolve pathways, you are choosing a development programme that will help you build your career as a future leader of our business.

Your development

All Evolve graduates will take part in a Core Development programme alongside technical and pathway specific development. The programme is designed to provide broader, soft skills and understanding that will set you up for success in your career. Focus lies on a number of key themes such as: ‘self and team awareness’ – providing an opportunity to better understand your own strengths and how these could contribute effectively to collaborative situations.

Support, guidance, and mentorship

You will have access to a wide network of support and guidance during your time on the Evolve programme.

You will be supported by a dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead who will help your transition into the business, provide pastoral support and work with you on your development journey. You will be aligned to a ‘buddy’, who will normally be a fellow graduate from an earlier cohort. They will help you find your way around the business and settle in.

You will also be supported in each of your placements by a nominated Graduate Placement Supervisor who will be your day-to-day contact during each placement. To further develop your skills, you will also be have access to mentors who can guide and advise on wider career or specific technical development.

Flexible working

We totally support flexible working: basing ourselves where we do our best work and deliver our best. Given the unique nature of the work we do, there are some areas where the core work cannot be done remotely. Whilst working from home can have its advantages, we also know from our graduates that they get the most value and develop faster when they are co-located with their team.

And then there’s the nine-day fortnight, which means we have every other Friday off. It gives us that work-life balance to have a longer weekend to connect with friends, make trips away or visit family, catch up with chores or to pursue hobbies.

Social life  

Once you join, you’ll be part of a vibrant and thriving team of like-minded people. Not only will you have a business support network, there are regular social events and opportunities to connect with others who have similar interests to you.

You’ll have lots of opportunities to connect with one another on the programme through regular team meetings, pathway meetings and throughout the core development programme.

Get involved

Graduates are often front and centre for broader opportunities and initiatives within the business which can be undertaken alongside main placements and the core development programme. For example:

• Evolve graduates were involved in supporting AWE’s social media campaign for British Science Week.
• Become an Ambassador: All Evolve graduates are encouraged to become STEM ambassadors and support related initiatives in local schools.
• Support the set up of a conference for AWE-sponsored PhDs.