🏗️ From Graduation to Construction Site: How Dirextra Placement Works Across Borders

Turning a degree into a meaningful career can be a challenging journey — especially in the construction, energy, and infrastructure sectors. The gap between university education and the realities of complex, international projects is wide.

That’s exactly where Dirextra’s Industry Briefing & Placement Programme makes the difference — helping graduates bridge that gap, gain real experience, and start their professional careers with confidence.

👉 This article follows our previous post on why more Italian engineers are training abroad.

A Professional Pathway, Not a Traditional Master

Unlike academic courses, the Dirextra Placement Programme in Construction, Oil & Gas & Infrastructure is entirely industry-oriented. It’s designed to prepare engineers, architects, economists, and legal professionals for real roles within major Italian construction and engineering companies.

🧭 The structure is simple and effective:

• Phase 1 – International Briefing (500 hours): professional meetings, technical simulations and company presentations held in selected European cities such as Rome, Milan, Malta, Manchester (UK) or Brussels (Belgium).

• Phase 2 – Guaranteed Placement (1,000 hours): a five-month full-time placement with one of Dirextra’s partner companies in Italy or other countries outside the UK.

During the programme, participants gain exposure to:

• Public procurement and international contract models (FIDIC, NEC)
• Project-management tools and site operations
• Sustainability and ESG integration in infrastructure projects
• Soft skills for multicultural and multidisciplinary team

Where Does Placement Happen?

Dirextra’s partner network is made up of leading Italian construction and engineering companies that operate both in Italy and worldwide.

Placement opportunities are offered on projects managed by these Italian firms, located in:

• Italy, including major infrastructure, energy and public-works projects
• Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, where Italian contractors manage international construction sites

All placements are arranged outside the United Kingdom and tailored to each participant’s background, language skills and availability for mobility.

🎓 Explore the full structure of our international programmes

Not Just Training — A Real Career Launchpad

Many of our alumni are now working on:

• Large-scale infrastructure and energy projects across Europe and Africa
• Project-management and planning roles in engineering companies
• Procurement, technical-office, and cost-control units of major contractors

🗣️ “After my briefing phase in Brussels, I began my placement with a top Italian contractor. It was the turning point of my career.”

— Elisa D., Dirextra Engineer

The transition from graduate to site professional is smoother, faster, and supported by a team that has been connecting talent with the industry for over 20 years.

Final Thoughts: From Theory to Practice, Without Gaps

Bridging the distance between university and the professional world takes more than lectures — it requires real projects, industry mentorship, and direct access to companies.

That’s what Dirextra has been providing since 2003: a proven pathway that transforms technical graduates into professionals ready to build the world’s next generation of infrastructure.