GRADUATE TRAINING SCHEME
Your environment, your career.
Develop your career with structured learning, mentoring and professional support
Make a difference through work that has a positive impact on people and the environment.
Build lasting connections through our graduate communities and network of experienced professionals.
Find the right fit for you – learn more about each graduate training scheme.
| Duration | Approx. 4 years |
| Salary | Pay steps starting at £30,685 |
| Location | Across England |
| Application status | Applications for the 2026 intake are now closed. This information will be updated in December 2026. |
| We develop… | We develop environment and science professionals of the future, supporting them to achieve chartership and create change for a better environment. |
| Duration | Approx. 4 – 6 years |
| Salary | Pay steps starting at £33,365 |
| Location | Across England |
| Application status | Applications for the 2026 intake are now closed. We will be advertising again in December 2026 for roles to start in September 2027. |
| We develop… | We develop engineers of the future to enable us to reduce the risks to people and wildlife from flooding and become an industry leading net-zero carbon organisation. |
| Duration | Approx. 4 years |
| Salary | Pay steps starting at £33,365 |
| Location | Across England |
| Application status | Applications for the 2026 intake are now closed. We will be advertising again in December 2026 for roles to start in September 2027. |
| We develop… | We develop chemical engineering graduates to help process industries manage their environmental impacts and prepare for a net zero future. Our multi-disciplinary regulatory teams need process engineering expertise to effectively support UK industry’s sustainable growth. |
Environment and Science
We develop environment and science professionals of the future to
create better places for people, wildlife, and the environment.
On our four-year graduate training scheme, you’ll join the Environment Agency in an environment or science-based role and build the knowledge, skills and experience needed to make a positive impact on people and the environment.
The scheme is built around environmental and scientific professions, helping you develop specialist expertise, connect with a wider professional community and establish yourself within your discipline.
Through a blend of practical learning, mentoring and professional development, you’ll work towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Geographer (CGeog) or Chartered Geologist (CGeol).
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In this fast-paced, ambitious graduate training scheme, you’ll gain hands-on experience in your role while following a personalised development plan tailored to your professional goals and business needs. As you progress, you’ll build technical knowledge, apply your learning in the workplace and use your developing skills to help address real environmental challenges.
You’ll join a national community of graduate trainees and take part in networking opportunities, training events and collaborative projects. Supported by line managers, mentors and technical coaches, you’ll work alongside subject matter experts and build connections across the organisation.
The scheme provides protected Continuing Professional Development (CPD) time to support your professional growth and progress towards chartership. Alongside your day-to-day role, you’ll have opportunities to contribute to a variety of work across the Environment Agency, including project delivery and incident response. Through these experiences, you’ll develop a broad range of skills, such as stakeholder engagement, data analysis, technical communication and problem solving.
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To be eligible for the Environment and Science Graduate Training Scheme you will need to meet ALL the following criteria:
Criteria 1 Right to work in the UK and meet eligibility requirements under Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Criteria 2 Must have graduated with an environment or science honours-based degree, master’s or PhD from June 2022 till September 2027. For some roles, specific degrees will be detailed at time of advert.
Criteria 3 Some roles require a driving licence, see details at time of advert.
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Every year, the scheme offers a range of graduate trainee roles across environmental and scientific disciplines. Opportunities vary according to business need and may include the areas below.
Explore our graduate profiles to learn more about the work they do and their experiences on the scheme.
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Throughout the scheme, you’ll receive support towards professional registration and chartership, helping you build the expertise and professional recognition to progress your career.
The scheme will support you to progress your professional development across the Environment Agency and will provide you with a strong foundation for a long-term career, with opportunities to progress through technical, advisory and leadership pathways.
Where are our graduates now?
Below are some examples of roles Environment and Science Graduate alumni have progressed into:
Catchment Coordinator, Water Quality Specialist, Geomorphology Technical Officer, Water Portfolio Advisor, SRO coordinator
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Stage 1: Applications open.
Stage 2: Behavioural Based Assessment
After you submit your application, we’ll invite you to complete a Behavioural Based Assessment (BBA).Stage 3: Sifting process
We assess your application answers and other relevant criteria to decide whether to invite you to interview. An independent panel carries out all assessments through a blind sifting process. Depending on the role, panels may include Environment Agency employees and external partners.
Stage 4: Online interviews take place and roles are allocated.
Stage 5: Pre-employment checks
Stage 6: Graduate Scheme starts
Meet Thomas – Flood
Modelling Specialist, Graduate
Trainee
“The EA truly care about you holistically, not just professionally. Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) and work-life balance are top priorities”
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“I first saw the scheme advertised in May 2023. The variety of roles and the opportunity of chartership really caught my eye. The staff here are excellent company and always seem happy to help. The flexibility and independence have made working with ADHD far more manageable than my previous roles too.”
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“My experience with the scheme has exceeded my expectations. The training has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of waste management legislation and permitting processes. I have worked alongside experienced professionals who have been supportive in guiding me through various tasks and projects. The ES-GTS has been a fantastic opportunity for me to kickstart my career in environmental science. It has allowed me to contribute to meaningful projects and gain invaluable insight into the waste management sector”
Engineering
Our four-to-six-year Engineering Graduate Training Scheme provides a varied, flexible and well-supported professional development journey to Incorporated and Chartered Engineer status, as well as the skills and opportunities to become future leaders within the Environment Agency.
Accredited with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), our highly-regarded development programme allows civil, mechanical and electrical graduates with a passion for engineering and the environment to launch a career that combines purpose, innovation and real-world impact.
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You’ll gain hands-on experience in areas as diverse as asset management, strategic planning, project management, site supervision, design and incident response. This gives you a truly holistic understanding of flood defence engineering projects and allows you to develop the range of skills and experience that you need to achieve your professional goals.
Focus on Development – In this multifaceted and individualised graduate training scheme, you will complete placements in a range of teams including opportunities to work with our delivery partners and international networks.
Personalised Support – Engineering mentors will support you to plan your own placement journey and tailor your experience depending on your individual interests.
Strong Community – Dedicated Professional Development Advisors coordinate a busy programme of training and networking activities to help you learn and gain support from peers, experienced engineers and a wide range of experts in their field.
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To be eligible for the Engineering Graduate Training Scheme you will need to meet
Criteria 1 Right to work in the UK and meet eligibility requirements under Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Criteria 2 We welcome applications from Graduate Engineers with accredited BEng or, ideally, an MEng degree in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (or equivalent). Course accreditation status can be checked using the ICE and Engineering Council course search tools. Candidates must have graduated with a minimum of a second-class degree between 2022 – 2027.
Criteria 3 Successful candidates are required to hold or have acquired a full UK driving license within 6 months of starting the role.
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If you are drawn towards topics such as sustainability and net zero carbon, geotechnics and hydraulics, control and instrumentation, or even just really enjoy the logistics of managing engineering projects, we can find the right combination of learning opportunities for you to become a highly effective intelligent client.
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Stage 1: Applications open
Stage 2: Sifting process
Stage 3: Online interviews take place and roles are allocated
Stage 4: Pre-employment checks
Stage 5: Graduate Scheme Starts in September
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“I joined the organisation as part of its inaugural summer diversity internship programme, before transferring to the process engineering programme. During my first posting I looked at a range of renewable alternative liquid fuels to gas oil and determined whether one or more of these alternatives can directly replace gas oil without an amendment to an environmental permit. I also worked on public engagement for the Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage project at Drax, which is set to become the world’s first carbon negative power station!”
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“I’m a BEng Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Strathclyde. I worked with the UK BAT (Best Available Techniques) Team to develop the environmental standards for Common Waste Gas Management and Treatment in the Chemicals sector. I learned about the status of UK chemical sector, the chemical industry’s contribution to climate change and the risks and opportunities from climate change within the sector. I met with industry leaders and national Regulators to collaborate on producing the the published draft BAT document. I see myself building a practical experience of being on industrial sites and understanding how the Environment Agency plays a role to regulate those sites, and taking a permanent role to be able to influence climate change, while making use of my chemical engineering skills to understand processes on site.”
Process Engineering
Over four years, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a series of roles while building the technical knowledge, skills and professional expertise needed to become an effective environmental regulator and achieve your chartership potential. Our blended learning approach combines mentoring, professional development, training events and on-the-job experience to support your growth throughout the scheme.
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You’ll gain hands-on experience in different aspects of environmental regulation through working in different teams across the business.
The scheme is divided into 6-12 month postings across three main industrial regulation business areas: National Permitting, Operations and Environment & Business, with possible secondments into other organisations.
You will initially spend a year in National Permitting, working alongside permitting officers to review and assess permit applications from industrial operators to undertake new activities or modify permits to implement new regulatory requirements.
You will then join a Local Operations team, working alongside experienced regulatory officers and support the regulation of a wide range of industrial installations such as chemical plants, power stations and cement works.
In Environment & Business, you will work with senior advisors on policy implementation for regulated industry and provide technical support to regulatory and permitting officers.
Throughout the scheme, you’ll work alongside subject matter experts, develop your knowledge through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and build experience through project delivery, assignments and incident response activities. Through these experiences, you’ll develop a broad understanding of the Environment Agency and build networks across the organisation that support your development.
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To be eligible for the Process Engineering Graduate Training Scheme you will need to meet ALL the following criteria:
- You must have the right to work in the UK and meet eligibility requirements under Civil Service Nationality Rules.
2. You must have completed a degree course in process or chemical engineering within the last 5 years. This will preferably be an MEng course that is accredited by the IChemE.
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Graduate trainees contribute to a range of industrial regulation activities including assessing permit applications, checking permit compliance at production sites, developing guidance for environmental protection at industrial sites.
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Throughout the programme you will be supported by a chartered chemical engineer who will help you achieve chartership with IChemE.
At the end of the programme, you will be in a strong position to move into a substantive post in one of our regulatory teams such as: Permitting Officer, Regulatory Officer or Regulatory Advisor.
Where are our graduates now?
Below are some examples of roles that experienced Process Engineers hold:
Permitting Officer, Installations Officer, Senior Specialist, Senior Advisor, Manager (Energy & COMAH), Manager (High Hazard Regulation)
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Stage 1: Applications open
Stage 2: Sifting process
Stage 3: Online interviews take place and roles are allocated
Stage 4: Pre-employment checks
Stage 5: Graduate Scheme Starts in September
