Empowering future talent: insights from young professionals on building positive workplace culture

Supporting transitions: why early mentorship matters

One of the strongest themes to emerge was the importance of support when moving from education into the workplace. Participants spoke about the value of having access to structured programmes, mentorship and opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, and safe spaces to ask questions without judgement - something that can significantly reduce the anxiety of stepping into a professional role for the first time.

“Being mentored… it shapes the foundations and you form bonds with members of teams and you start to feel a lot more comfortable within your working environment” - Billy

It was also highlighted that mentorship doesn’t need to be limited to technical skills: some benefited from having both an operational mentor and someone supporting their “soft skills” development as well as exposure to leadership: 

“I’m currently being mentored by our divisional CEO David and it’s been really transformative… having that experience early on boosts your confidence” – Amira 

Belonging and psychological safety - creating space to be yourself

A recurring message was the significance of feeling accepted and included as a foundation for wellbeing and performance at work.

“Knowing that I can come to work, be myself, and be accepted was something that was really vital for me” - Nicholas

Others reflected on how inclusivity isn't about treating everyone the same but creating an environment where individuals are respected:

“I genuinely feel like I can be myself at work, I don’t have to fake anything... It’s not just ‘fit in a mould’ it’s ‘bring your best self’” – Amira 

An inclusive culture also supports industries where gender representation is still evolving – and Estelle shared that, as a woman in engineering, being included on-site even when there are few other female colleagues helps her feel confident and respected.

Building confidence through real responsibility

Early-career professionals can thrive when provided with meaningful responsibility. Participants described how being trusted to contribute early on, even when mistakes were possible, accelerated their learning dramatically. Colleagues also emphasised the importance of constructive feedback and guidance that builds confidence.

"Getting a big responsibility when I started off on the graduate scheme enabled me to be able to do the job I’m doing now. I don’t think I would’ve been able to transition as confidently as I did, to such a big workload and level of responsibilities without having those early-on projects in the start of my career where I did make mistakes but I felt empowered to make them and learn from them" - Georgia

Visible role models and early outreach

Representation remains a powerful motivator – and seeing people like themselves succeed, particularly in traditionally underrepresented areas such as engineering and construction, gave participants reassurance and ambition.

“To be seen is to be heard… for me that means seeing women in construction, leading teams – [it] gives you that inspiration… you can see those role models and aspire to be like that” – Lois 

Participants also highlighted the role of early outreach in inspiring the next generation, particularly for those who may not be aware of the full range of opportunities available.

“I’ve been really lucky with Equans to be able to go out to schools and speak to young people… when I was growing up, there wasn’t a lot of that in my school, so I didn’t really know what I wanted to do [and] didn’t know enough about the engineering industry… so I think that sort of outreach at a really young age is key” - Billy

Creating pathways for long-term growth

Apprenticeships, rotational schemes, and clear development paths were all cited as powerful enablers for early-career colleagues to grow. 

Nicholas noted the unique value of combining study with real-world experience, while Lois reflected on her own progression from apprentice to project manager - showing how long-term support can build capability.

Empowering future talent at Equans

The insights shared in this conversation highlight the real value of workplace culture which promotes inclusion, trust, and opportunity, where young professionals can build meaningful careers while being themselves. 

At Equans, we’re working hard to create a workplace culture where everyone can be themselves – for early careers colleagues, these efforts are supported by our employee-led Young Professionals Network. We’ve also launched a companywide mentoring scheme supporting our people to reach their full potential. We’re recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, and a Gold member of The 5% Club – reflecting our investment in apprentices and graduate roles.