Written by Nicola Wilson, General Manager People and Culture NZ, Fulton Hogan.
Summer internships sit in an interesting space: they matter but not everyone treats summer as the start of something special.
At Fulton Hogan, we do.
We see summer internships as a way to back people before they’ve finished studying and build capability for the long-term.
With a significant infrastructure pipeline ahead and skills shortages front of mind for our clients, we all have a role to play.
Investing in young people earlier and creating meaningful pathways into our industry is essential, not a nice to have.
Careers start before graduation
Summer internships are our flagship entry point into our business with a clear trajectory: from intern to scholarship student, then graduate roles and ultimately a long-term career.
We’ve designed this on purpose because waiting until graduation to invest in talent is already too late.
Over the past three years, we have invested around $1M into scholarships to support students with their tertiary studies.
It’s an added benefit that can take the sting out of their study fees and we only offer scholarships to our interns. We back the people who step in early.
We know this approach works. Our own CEO, Ben Hayward, started as a summer intern then built his career right here.
Stability in an uncertain world
Young people are entering a workforce defined by change as AI evolves quickly and some jobs feel less predictable. There’s a growing sense of uncertainty about what the future of work might be.
Civil construction and infrastructure are about as stable as it gets in an unstable world.
AI isn’t building bridges or delivering essential infrastructure anytime soon.
This is an industry with longevity, grounded in real work and delivered in the real world, with outcomes that last for generations.
You can see it, can stand on it and one day, look back and say, “I helped build that”.
Infrastructure relies on people
We have a well-understood infrastructure challenge. More projects are in the pipeline, and we need more people to deliver them.
Capability doesn’t appear overnight. It develops through investment and it needs to be early.
Our own research highlights that skill shortages are front of mind for our clients across New Zealand as well.
Creating strong pathways from internships through to first post-study role and beyond, strengthens the pipeline of talent across the industry.
It also helps keep talented young people in New Zealand, contributing to the places they call home.
The generation shaping our future
Today, around 20% of our workforce is Gen Z and that number is climbing fast. Young people bring a different lens to work, one that values pace, technology and purpose.
They’re digitally fluent, keen to challenge legacy thinking and expect to contribute early. When we invest in young people they elevate our business in return. It’s a two-way exchange.
They bring energy, pace and new thinking that makes us better.
Take a closer look at our summer internships
If you know someone who is curious, motivated and ready to contribute, encourage them to explore an internship with us. This is a pathway worth paying attention to.
If you’re a student considering your options, come and experience it properly. Get out onsite, put theory into practice and see if Fulton Hogan is for you.
Summer internship applications open now, close 11 August: Apply now!
