RPS welcomes the future with the 2024 Graduate Induction Event

On the 30th of October, RPS, a Tetra Tech company, held its annual 2024 graduate induction event at the Queen's Hotel in Leeds. 

Inviting over 80 passionate graduates who have recently joined RPS, the event serves as an invigorating opportunity to help new employees grow their skills, develop their knowledge and connect with each other. Through the two-day workshop, graduates are exposed to vital training opportunities, networking prospects and constructive advice, aiding them with the right knowledge and skills to achieve a long and successful career.  

The event also presented graduates with valuable inspirational and professional advice from the CEO of RPS Consulting, David Dunbar, accomplished alumni and Olympic Silver medallist and retired badminton champion, Gail Emms. Alongside supporting the progression of their careers, graduates utilised the forum to ask questions, learn from accomplished experts, and understand the history and values of RPS and Tetra Tech.   

Even seniors and managers participated in the games, assisting graduates in team-building activities ranging from group musical exercises, blindfolded shape guessing games to RPS behaviours-based card games and even a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Many of these exercises were designed to help participants recognise their professional strengths and weaknesses and subsequently identify the skills they need to excel in their goals.  

The event was developed by the Early Careers Professionals (ECP) Development Programme and the RPS Consulting Graduate scheme, both RPS initiatives supporting the development of recent graduates into the organisation and onto a lustrous and prolific professional career.  

“I started at RPS in 2021 as a graduate modeller. And I am now a wastewater modeller working for several clients across the country.” Says Danyal, “I am currently going from being a part of the Early Careers programme to being one of its leaders. That really shows you the progression at RPS!” 

“For me, joining the water industry was very daunting. It's a big one. It has its own vocabulary. It has its own language.” Says George, who also joined RPS as a graduate and is now an Assistant Clean Water Engineer “And I think the early careers programme helps you find your feet.” 

“I started at RPS back in 2008 as a graduate”, says Howard, Operational Director, “RPS is a great place to grow your career and obtain the opportunities you need to get where you want."

“I think having such a wide range of different job roles within RPS makes it quite an exciting place to work.” Says Katie, Senior Wastewater Modeller, who first helped set up the ECP Programme “You never know who or what you’re going to come across.” 

“Now that they've completed the ECP programme, they can go forward and explore all the opportunities that they would like to.” Says George. 

With attendance from Water Modellers, Technicians, Ecologists, air quality, and transport teams, the graduate event proved to be an amazing encapsulation of the importance of ushering in the next generation of professionals with the right skills and knowledge to succeed.