Black & White Engineering (B&W), a global leader in data centre design, has announced the addition of its 50th graduate to its game-changing Global Graduate Pathway Programme. The company, known for its expert deployment of sustainable MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) data centre design services, operates in 44 countries around the world, including the UK, with offices located in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and London.

The data centre industry marks one of B&W’s fastest-growing markets, with over 90% of their global team wholly concentrated on data centre design. The two-year graduate programme, crafted meticulously with an emphasis on authentic experience, is set to draw in the most promising new talents in engineering design and offer them an organised career path within B&W.

Catherine Allen, Global Learning & Development Partner at B&W, remarked, "The programme is pivotal in nurturing the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary in engineering design and decision-making. The initiative demonstrates B&W's commitment to fostering the next generation of design engineering talents and cultivating a workforce that enjoys long and fulfilling careers at B&W, contributing significantly to our fields of expertise."

Graduates become integral parts of specific teams, like the data centre team, honing discipline-specific knowledge and skills. The programme's unique structure includes a secondment to diverse teams, enabling graduates to expand their experience and learn about new disciplines. This approach engenders a well-rounded understanding of B&W's entire business, and the services it provides.

Steven Horn, UK and Europe Director at B&W, stated, "Our graduate pathway programme highlights B&W's foresight and commitment in shaping the future of the engineering design industry. In a field that's rapidly evolving and facing considerable recruitment challenges, the programme addresses these obstacles but also plays a pivotal role in developing future design engineers."

He continued, "Through this programme, B&W is strategically investing in the people who will lead and drive our sector forward. It demonstrates our serious commitment to nurturing and harnessing the potential of new talents, ensuring that B&W remains at the forefront of engineering design."

The Global Graduate Pathway Programme entertains applications throughout the year, welcoming graduates based anywhere within B&W's international reach.

Current Graduate Sustainability Consultant at B&W, Catriona Gluyas, shared her experience, "From the get-go, B&W's dedication to my professional growth was evident. Within my first two weeks, I had already completed and passed the BREEAM Associate exam."

Gluyas further noted the importance of mentorship within the programme, stating, "My line manager, mentor, and ‘work buddy’ have been instrumental in helping me transition from university to professional life, offering guidance, support, and insights that have been crucial to my development."

She concluded, "Overall, the combination of targeted training, personalised mentorship, and continual professional development opportunities has not only sharpened my skills but also prepared me for a promising career in sustainability design consulting. It’s great to be a part of such an exciting, rapidly growing organisation."