Atkins tops the student hit list

Balfour Beatty is the construction organisation most students have heard of, but Atkins receives the most job applications, according to the GTI Employer of Choice Graduate Survey 2006 published this week.

GTI surveyed 513 students and graduates who stated that they wished to work in the built environment/construction sector regarding their attitudes towards construction organisations.

Balfour topped the awareness league out of the 35 named organisations, but Atkins just pipped it in terms of students applying for jobs.

However, Carillion has the highest percentage of acceptances, with 24% of applications receiving a yes so far, although several applications have not received a reply either way yet.

Arup is favourite when it comes to organisations heard of and rated excellent for work experience and internships, with 57%, followed by: Atkins, 44%; Laing O’Rourke, 44%; EC Harris LLP, 37%; and Balfour Beatty, 26%.

Arup and Atkins were the organisations that respondents most wanted to work for, with more than 10% stating that they would be one of their first choices of employer ahead of Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke and Jacobs Babtie Group.

However, Balfour Beatty and Multiplex topped the league of organisations that respondents would not consider working for, with 39 students (8%) giving both the thumbs down.

The next three out of 35 were: Sir Robert McAlpine and Mowlem, 30 (6%) each; and Alfred McAlpine, 26 (5%).

Unsurprisingly, males dominated those interested in working in construction at 65.6% compared to 34.4% of women; as opposed to the average of male, 48.4% and female, 51.6% found across all the other 15 employer sectors surveyed by GTI.

Top 10 firms heard of

• 57% Balfour Beatty
• 50% Alfred McAlpine
• 50% Atkins
• 42% Sir Robert McAlpine
• 42% Arup
• 41% Amec
• 35% Laing O'Rourke
• 34% Taylor Woodrow
• 33% Mowlem
• 31% Multiplex

Top 10 firms that would be one of respondents' first choices of employer

• 11% Arup
• 10% Atkins
• 8% Balfour Beatty
• 7% Laing O'Rourke
• 5% Jacobs Babtie Grup
• 5% Alfred McAlpine
• 4% Carillion
• 4% Kier Group
• 4% Amec
• 4% Mott MacDonald

(Both tables based on 513 students asked about 35 named organisations.)

[Contract Journal, 30 Augsut 2006, p 3]