Environment Agency
River and Coastal Engineering Foundation Degree:

Up to £14,000 training allowance over the two year programme + tuition fees
Study at the University of the West of England, Bristol, followed by a work placement at locations nationwide.

About us
From regulating major industry to reducing pollution incidents, from improving water and air quality to preventing the risk of flooding, it’s our job at the Environment Agency to protect and improve the environment in England. Floods can happen anywhere, anytime. And, as we've all seen, flooding has a dramatic – sometimes life-changing – impact on people, properties and businesses. We’re constantly working to reduce the risks to people, households and businesses from flooding and help people to improve, protect, value and enjoy their local environment.

About the Foundation Degree
This is an excellent opportunity to get your foot in the door of flood risk management. You’ll get the best of both worlds - completing a foundation degree and building up practical experience through work-based training and getting paid for your time in the workplace. Plus, throughout the two-year course, you’ll be paired with an experienced mentor. You’ll spend the first nine months in full-time study at the University of the West England (UWE) in Bristol.

The next 14 months will be spent with the Environment Agency or a local authority on a work-based training and development programme. You’ll experience a wide range of flood risk management activity as you rotate through a number of different teams and take on a range of different projects.  During year two, you will attend UWE for approximately four one-week study blocks. There will be a number of online e-learning assessments together with a major project that you will need to complete each year.

You’ll receive up to £14,000 training allowance (maximum of £3,000 in the first year) which is free from tax and National Insurance contributions. Your tuition fees and textbooks in both years will be paid for. Accommodation during your study weeks in year two will also be paid for.

The future
Where you go after the Foundation Degree is really up to you. Past students have continued in higher education. Others have gone on to work with us here at the Environment Agency or with local authorities nationwide. But whichever path you choose, you can be sure that you’re on the right road to a professionally challenging and personally rewarding career.

Apply
For further information or to apply for the Foundation Degree programme, please visit: http://bit.ly/1UR3v6p

Closing date for applications: 15th February 2016

Assessment centres will be held throughout the country in April 2016

For all applicants we would need to verify their right to work/study in the UK for the duration of the course and no offers will be made without this check being in place. Please note that non EEA (European Economic Area) applicants are not eligible for sponsorship for the foundation degree as they would not meet the minimum requirements for tier 2 or 4 sponsorship.