Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Graduate - Borehamwood or Manchester - 2027

You'll play a key role in supporting OCU's commitment to continuous improvement across Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) performance. Based in either Borehamwood or Manchester, you'll work as part of our SHEQ team, helping to identify opportunities to improve processes, enhance operational performance and embed best practice across our projects and business operations.

You'll gain exposure to a broad range of SHEQ improvement initiatives, working closely with operational teams, project managers and business leaders to analyse performance, identify trends and implement solutions that drive measurable improvements. You'll help support a culture where learning, innovation and continuous improvement are at the heart of how we operate, ensuring lessons learned are captured and translated into lasting business benefits.

As part of the role, you'll assist with performance monitoring, data analysis, audits, inspections and improvement programmes across the business. You'll help review SHEQ metrics, identify areas of risk and opportunity, support root cause investigations and contribute to corrective and preventative action plans. You'll also gain valuable experience in process mapping, performance reporting, lessons learned reviews and the implementation of improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Working alongside experienced SHEQ professionals and operational teams, you'll contribute to projects focused on improving business processes, strengthening compliance, reducing risk and enhancing project delivery outcomes. The role will also involve occasional travel to operational and project sites, providing valuable insight into how improvement initiatives are developed, implemented and sustained in real-world environments.

As your skills and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, develop strong analytical and stakeholder management skills, and become an important contributor to OCU's culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. Graduates who are passionate about driving positive change, improving performance and helping organisations continuously evolve and develop.

You'll be naturally curious, analytical and proactive, with strong problem-solving skills and a genuine interest in understanding how processes, behaviours and systems can be improved. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with data, identifying trends and collaborating with people to deliver practical solutions.

You'll be keen to develop expertise in SHEQ performance, continuous improvement methodologies and business process optimisation while working closely with operational and leadership teams. You'll enjoy balancing analysis with practical implementation, helping to deliver initiatives that improve safety outcomes, environmental performance, quality standards and operational efficiency across the business.

You'll need (or be on track to achieve) a degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Quality Management, Business Management, Engineering or a related discipline with a minimum 2:2 classification. Due to occasional travel across operational and project locations, a full UK driving licence is essential before starting the role.

An interest in continuous improvement, operational excellence, business performance, process improvement, health and safety or quality management through placements, internships, academic projects or extracurricular activities would be advantageous. Our 2 year Graduate Programme combines structured training with hands-on experience, giving you real responsibility from day one.

You'll learn directly alongside industry experts in a collaborative, supportive environment. We invest in your continuous professional development, giving you the tools, confidence and clear progression path to build a long term career within OCU.