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Construction

GRAHAM Academy - Trainee Planner (Apprentice) – Northern Ireland

Graham Construction
Location
Northern Ireland
Salary
Competitive
Posted
14 September 2026

About the role

Job Title: Trainee Planner (Apprentice) – Northern Ireland DIVISION :Interior Fit-Out LOCATION :Northern Ireland CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent BENEFITS: Car Allowance; Subsidised Private Medical Cover; Life Assurance Scheme; Living away from home allowance (where appropriate), Contributory Pension, 35 Days annual leave (Including Public Holidays)  Job Summary At GRAHAM, we are committed to developing future talent. As our Interior Fit-Out Division continues to grow, we have an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Planner to join our team in Northern Ireland. As a Trainee Planner, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience supporting the planning and delivery of fast-paced fit-out and refurbishment projects across a range of sectors. Working alongside experienced Planners, Project Managers, and site teams, you'll develop an understanding of how projects are programmed, coordinated, and successfully delivered from inception through to completion. This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to earn while you learn, combining practical workplace experience with structured training and academic study. You'll develop technical, digital, and problem-solving skills while gaining exposure to industry-leading planning tools and construction methodologies. If you're interested in construction, technology, and project delivery, this is an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career with GRAHAM. Job Description:  Key Responsibilities:   •Support the Planning Team in the preparation and maintenance of project and tender programmes.  •Assist in monitoring project progress, resources, procurement schedules, and reporting information.  •Attend site visits, project meetings, and planning workshops to gain practical experience.  •Work closely with project teams to understand construction methodologies and support project delivery.  •Contribute to the effective running of the Planning Department while developing planning knowledge and skills. This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken.  It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals.  Requirements: Technical Competencies   Essential  •Be willing to undertake a relevant higher-level apprenticeship programme, such as Construction Engineering with Management, Construction Engineering with Surveying, or a similar built environment qualification. •Strong communication and organisational skills.  •Good analytical and problem-solving ability.  •Interest in developing a career within construction planning and project delivery.  •Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.  •Right to work in the UK.  •Full UK Driving Licence or willingness to work towards obtaining one. Desirable: •Understanding of construction or interior fit-out projects.  •An appreciation of Health & Safety practices.  •Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Behavioural Competencies  Essential  Commercial Awareness: show willingness to build a strong business acumen combined with the creativity and vision to meet customer needs and GRAHAM business requirements.  Effective Communication skills: Able to adapt communication to audience and create detailed written documents and reports. Able to maintain and manage communication links with a variety of stakeholders.  Presents a professional image and promotes the Brand.  Customer Focus: Takes time to question and understand the real, underlying needs of the customer, beyond those initially expressed. Always works closely with customers, developing an independent view of their needs and acting in their long term interest  Influencing: Identifies and builds relationships with those who will be useful now and in the future in achieving strategic business objectives.  Initiative: is able to work alone to get results in an effective way. Understands and seeks to minimise waste in resources and processes.  Adopts and encourages others to adopt new ways of working.  Ability to work unsupervised.  Team Player: Always willing to be involved in other activities to achieve company objectives. Works collaboratively and uses influence to gain resolution of issues.  Demonstrates honestly, loyalty and commitment.  Negotiation : Ability to negotiate with both subcontractors and representatives of the Employer to ensure all contractual rights and obligations are realised and protected  About You GRAHAM ROUTES TO BECOMING A PLANNER TECHNICIAL APPRENTICESHIP Technical Apprenticeships are available at a number of entry points from GCSE, A Level or BTEC awards, we are currently seeking to recruit individuals hoping to transition onto a Higher-Level or Degree Level Apprenticeship, which are offered from Level 4 to Level 7. A Higher Apprenticeship provides a structured pathway to develop your skills while earning a nationally recognised qualification. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in the workplace alongside dedicated study time, with all training costs fully funded. These programmes offer a clear route to professional body membership and can lead to a very rewarding and diverse career. Our Commitment: At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:  • Email: hr-jgc.resourcing@graham.co.uk  • Phone: 07384 916355 As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at: • Email: louise.hunter@graham.co.uk • Phone: 07384 916355 We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance. A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request. GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant’s experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information.  Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.

Requirements

Be willing to undertake a relevant higher-level apprenticeship programme, such as Construction Engineering with Management, Construction Engineering with Surveying, or a similar built environment qualification. Strong communication and organisational skills. Good analytical and problem-solving ability. Interest in developing a career within construction planning and project delivery. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Right to work in the UK. Full UK Driving Licence or willingness to work towards obtaining one.

Skills

Project planning and programmingProgress monitoringResource managementProcurement schedulingConstruction methodologiesMicrosoft Office proficiencyCommunicationProblem-solvingAnalytical skillsCommercial awarenessStakeholder managementTeam collaborationInitiative and independent working

Required qualifications

Essential
Higher-Level or Degree Level Apprenticeship · Construction Engineering with Management or Construction Engineering with Surveying or similar built environment qualification