Water companies across the UK are developing hundreds of apprentices in a wide range of roles across the sector.
Water UK, the organisation which represents all of the UK water companies, is highlighting the opportunities on offer during National Apprenticeship Week 2015.
The organisation has drawn particular attention to the role of women at Severn Trent Water where almost half of the company's directors, 66 per cent of new graduates and a quarter of apprentices are female.
The firm is one of a number of the water companies who are now actively recruiting applicants for their apprenticeship schemes. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is preparing for its 2015 apprentice recruitment programme. The company currently trains 44 apprentices in roles from instrumentation technician to mechanical fitter to electrician. Trainees join a workforce of over 2,500 to become part of Wales' fourth largest company with a £1.7 billion capital investment programme.
Applications will also be opening in April 2015 for new apprentices to join South East Water's successful two-year apprenticeship programme. During the first six months of the programme, apprentices gain an overview of the company before specialising in one area of water supply.
Initiatives already underway include Northumbrian Water’s scheme has been running in partnership with training company TTE on a residential apprenticeship programme since 2012. Apprentices study for two years and spend two years working alongside experienced engineers at sites throughout the region.
Five new apprentices have already joined Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) as part of the company's annual recruitment scheme and will now undertake a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) programme, or another accredited qualification, as well as on-the-job training.
Affinity Water is piloting a customer services apprenticeship at the company's contact centre in Folkestone. The scheme leads to an NVQ Level 2 after one year and an NVQ Level 3 at the conclusion of the two-year apprenticeship. More than 40 people applied for the four sought-after apprenticeships, which were filled within a fortnight of being advertised.
Many of the apprenticeship programmes are offering roles are in engineering, where the water uindustry, along with other sectors, is facing a looming skills gap.
Sarah Mukherjee, Environment Director, Water UK, said:
"National Apprenticeship Week gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to the industry's young apprentices who are an inspiration and a huge source of pride for us.
"There are plenty of fantastic success stories across the UK from our sector. This is also due to the commitment among the companies and in particular to the experienced and dedicated staff taking the time to mentor and develop this future talent."
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