Professor Brian Cox with aspiring engineers at the opening of Jacobs’ new office
US-based consultant Jacobs is to hire 2,400 UK staff in professional and technical roles over the next two years as it opens its new European flagship office at the Cottons Centre in London.
The business already has more than 9,000 employees in the UK and the new roles will be based across the company’s more than 30 offices, delivering digital and other advanced technical solutions.
The company said the new office would be central to its growth strategy in Europe and the Middle East and will house up to 1,000 employees.
Around one third of Jacobs’ 1,300 hires in the UK over the past year have been graduates, interns and apprentices and the business is collaborating with the London Interdisciplinary School to create a new undergraduate program to help grow new talent.
The company also offers an MSc in Business and Strategic Leadership with Cranfield University’s School of Management to develop high-potential leaders
Jacobs president and chief operating officer Bob Pragada said: "Britain is a critical market for Jacobs. This investment is an indication of our ongoing confidence in the UK economy and its long-term infrastructure plans. Our people are helping to tackle some of the UK’s most complex challenges to make the future better, delivering projects to safeguard the environment and improve the security, connectivity, resiliency and productivity of the UK."
At the firm’s London office opening, professor Brian Cox spoke to 16- to 18-year-olds from local London schools, aspiring engineers and Jacobs employees about the skills they will need for the future, giving inspirational ideas for future infrastructure projects.
Professor Cox said: "Jacobs’ work to encourage and help young people to build STEM careers is impressive. We are living in an exciting era of scientific discovery and rapid technological change, but we are also facing significant challenges as we try to build a better and sustainable future. What is certain is that the next generation’s jobs will be unrecognizable from those we see today.
"Our young people therefore need new skills to meet these challenges and seize the opportunities. By nurturing talent, and investing in people early, we can provide the training, experience and development needed for us all to succeed in the long-term."
Earlier this year, Jacobs announced its intent to acquire John Wood Group’s nuclear business for £250m and 50% of UK-based social value measurement and wellbeing firm, Simetrica.
