Flooding is one of the most important issues facing humankind. Right now, five million people, over two million homes and businesses are at risk of flooding in England. This threat is only going to get worse with climate change.
But graduates can help do something about it. The Environment Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales, spending over £800 million every year on a breathtaking range of flood and coastal erosion risk management projects. That's well over half the budget — the rest goes towards other crucial work, such as acting as regulators on waste disposal and nuclear safety, addressing the impact of pollution, influencing government policy, managing conservation work and leading awareness campaigns to raise the profile of important environmental issues.
As a graduate, this is a chance to join the Environment Agency's team of engineers, many of them world leaders in their field, and face the threat head on. They are involved in a number of activities, including providing a unique emergency response service that minimises the risk of flooding in rapidly changing weather conditions; building and maintaining flood defences; creating protective wetlands; raising awareness amongst those at risk; and influencing the way government, local authorities and house builders develop land.
While following the Graduate Training Scheme, graduates will undertake a variety of diverse projects around the business that will help them become leading engineers in their own right. The Environment Agency also wants to help the flood and coastal erosion risk engineers of tomorrow, today. People who are studying towards an accredited BEng and will be progressing to MEng (or equivalent) can apply for a sponsorship opportunity.