One of the South West region’s biggest employers, Pennon, was recently awarded Platinum membership of The 5% Club in recognition of its commitment to supporting apprentices and graduates - the only business in the UK water sector to achieve this.
The 5% Club is a made up of employers that are committed to providing the best opportunities for the next generation to get started in their careers - combining work and education by offering a variety of graduate and apprentice programs.
With over 350 apprentices and graduates currently in position, the company was awarded Platinum membership in recognition of achieving gold standard for three consecutive years and having 10% of its workforce on schemes such as apprenticeships, graduate programmes or degree placements.
Sharon Gathercole, Pennon’s People & Culture Director, said:
“At Pennon we’re always looking for new ways to attract the very best talent so, being recognised for those efforts and having 10% of our employees on graduate or apprentice programs is a great achievement for us.
“We are pleased to be an inclusive place to work that provides fantastic opportunities for those just starting their careers to get their foot in the door. Bringing in new people with fresh ideas through apprenticeships and graduate programs, we want to see those of all ages and backgrounds join our business - helping us continue to be a forward-thinking and diverse organisation.”
Pennon said it is going above and beyond to attract and support the next generation of industry experts and has doubled its apprenticeship and graduate schemes with plans to support 1,000 people in these positions by 2030.
Matthew Sluman, Apprentice Engineering Technician at South West Water, said: “Apprenticeships are brilliant for people of all ages. I joined Pennon at 30 and have had an incredible experience in learning new skills and gaining the qualifications I need, all while getting paid for my work.
“There is always the opportunity to keep learning. My time at Pennon has been instrumental in helping me discover my ideal career path, allowing me to work with amazing people and building confidence to take on any new challenge.”
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.