BALFOUR Beatty has announced plans to increase its UK workforce from approximately 14,000 to 16,000 over the next two years.
By the end of 2027, the contractor expects its UK workforce to have grown by more than 30% in four years, which it attributes to the strength of the UK infrastructure pipeline and the skilled jobs needed to deliver it.
The expansion is underpinned by a strong order book and further wins in Balfour Beatty’s chosen growth markets, with energy a key driver. In the first half of 2026, the group revealed it delivered 24% revenue growth in UK Power Transmission and now holds a £2.1 billion UK Power Transmission order book, with a further identified pipeline of £6 billion to £8 billion.
Group chief executive Philip Hoare said, “Britain’s infrastructure ambitions will only be realised if the country has the capacity, capability and skills to deliver them. Expanding our workforce by 2,000 is a clear vote of confidence in the market. It shows the scale of opportunity ahead and our commitment to investing in the people, projects and technical expertise that will power Britain’s future.”
Early-career talent will be a major part of the recruitment drive. Apprentices, graduates, interns and trainees already account for approximately 9% of Balfour Beatty’s UK workforce. Around half of the new intake – approximately 1,000 positions – are expected to come through early-career routes, including apprenticeships, graduate programmes, internships and trainee positions.
UK Government business secretary Jonathan Reynolds commented, “This is exactly what we want to see – a big British company backing Britain and creating 2,000 more jobs. We’ve got a huge amount of work to do to get growth in every postcode over the next few years. So having British firms investing in people here, and training up the next generation to do those jobs, is really good news.”
For details about all career opportunities at Balfour Beatty, visit: https://www.balfourbeatty.com/careers/careers-at-balfour-beatty/
