Press Release

Balfour Beatty’s partnership with The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has reached a significant milestone as the company recruits its first graduate, Elise Cummings, from the inaugural cohort of students.

Elise, who will be joining Balfour Beatty later this year as a Graduate Engineer, has had a long relationship with NMITE having been part of the Design Cohort in 2018.  This group of 25 school-leavers and graduates from around the world were involved in co-designing NMITE’s learner experience in support of its aim to become a university for and of the future.  The Cohort helped to create and test-drive everything from campus layout to course design, marketing NMITE’s engagement programme, and building partnerships with businesses.  

Balfour Beatty partnered with NMITE in September 2023, and since then, has been actively contributing to the curriculum – which is designed to mirror real-world working environments – with its experts talking to students, and engaging them in projects to enhance their practical experience and arm them with critical skills and industry knowledge.

Tom Newton, Engineering and Design Director at Balfour Beatty said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone at Balfour Beatty. Over the last twelve months we have actively contributed to the NMITE curriculum through our partnership, with a number of our experts supporting teaching modules, outlining what it takes to work in our industry.

“With the first cohort of students now entering employment, the proof is in the pudding – alongside our colleagues at NMITE, we have successfully delivered what we set out to do, opening doors to young people and arming them with the tools needed to excel in their careers. We are looking forward to welcoming Elise to Balfour Beatty in the coming months, where I am confident she will thrive.”

Elise Cummings, graduate from NMITE with MEng Hons Integrated Engineering said: "From being part of the original design cohort to now graduating and achieving my dream of working in engineering, NMITE has been an incredible journey.

“The support and hands-on learning environment have truly prepared me for my new role with Balfour Beatty and I cannot wait to get started with my engineering career."

This milestone is a further testament to Balfour Beatty’s commitment to attracting the next generation of talent, with 7.4% of the company’s UK workforce now made up of Apprentices, Graduates, Trainees and Sponsored Students as part of its membership of The 5% Club – a dynamic movement of employers committed to providing ‘Earn & Learn’ positions.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:

Talha Haroun  
Balfour Beatty

+44 (0)203 810 2345

talha.haroun@balfourbeatty.com

www.balfourbeatty.com | follow us @balfourbeatty

All non-media related enquiries should be directed to +44 (0)20 7216 6800 or info@balfourbeatty.com

Notes to editors:

• Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group with over 25,000 employees driving the delivery of powerful new solutions, shaping thinking, creating skylines and inspiring a new generation of talent to be the change-makers of tomorrow.
• We finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.
• Over the last 114 years we have created iconic buildings and infrastructure all over the world. Currently, we are working to deliver Hinkley Point C, the first UK nuclear power station in a generation; constructing the world-class arts and cultural facility, the Lyric Theatre, in Hong Kong; and designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the Automated People Mover superstructure at the fifth busiest airport in the world, Los Angeles International Airport.
• Balfour Beatty is committed to attracting the next generation of talent. We want to inspire and educate people to consider the construction and infrastructure industry as an attractive long term career choice. As a member of The 5% Club, a dynamic movement of employers committed to providing ‘earn and learn’ positions’, we continue to provide young people with the skills and experience they need to build strong, future careers.