Hard work and enthusiasm will be the key to securing a job at Thames Water, so CEO Martin Baggs told the firm’s new trainees this week.
Alongside HR director Janet Burr, Thames Water’s chief executive welcomed the trainees, aged between 16 and 24, at an induction day at Thames Water’s Reading head office on January 21. At the event the trainees learnt about the company’s zero compromise approach to health and safety and received an outline of their training schedule for the six months ahead.
The scheme is the first of its kind in the water industry, as it offers paid work to trainees while they learn the fundamentals of working in the sector. For those who successfully complete the scheme, the offer of a permanent job is on the horizon along with an opportunity to work towards an industry recognised qualification.
Each trainee is paired with an experienced mentor and will be hands on in the day-to-day running of a sewage works, as well as maintaining equipment and problem solving. They will also have opportunities to brush up their maths, English and IT skills and receive help writing a CV.
Within the next five years over 260 members of Thames Water’s operational staff will reach retirement age meaning a skills gap is fast approaching.
Commenting on the scheme, Martin Baggs said:
“This is the first scheme of its kind in our industry and we’re proud to be leading the way. Opportunities for young people with little or no qualifications and experience are few and far between but if they’re willing to work hard and learn from the many experts we already have, they deserve a chance to develop and shine.”
“Bringing in new talent now is important as we need an army of operational staff ready to take over from those who will inevitably retire in years to come. They hold a wealth of knowledge and we can’t afford for them to go without passing that on to the next generation. We hope our trainees will soak up as much of their experience as possible in the coming months with a view to achieving the ultimate goal of a permanent role with us.”
Another 30 trainees who will take up placements in water production and networks will be recruited this spring, while the company’s successful apprenticeship and graduate schemes will continue.
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