South West Water has welcomed twenty-one new apprentices to its award-winning apprenticeship programme.

The most recent intake brings to 85 the total number of apprentices who have joined South West Water since 2011.

Head of Employee Development, Nigel Fenn, said:

“In 2010 we identified a serious skills gap with 40% of our operational  employees likely to retire within 10 years.  We introduced apprentices as part of our workforce development plan to grow a qualified workforce and ensure we continue to deliver the high quality services our customers expect.”

Working in a variety of business support roles and Drinking Water Services the apprentices will learn while they work while also establishing their future career.

Current apprentices fulfil roles in a wide range of areas, including waste water operations, civil engineering, communications, technical services, laboratory and administration. All apprentices work with a designated mentor when they begin their apprenticeship.