Building the future water workforce

A water company is investing in its future workforce by tripling the number of apprentices within the next year.

This announcement by South East Water during National Apprenticeship Week, running from today (7 February) to Sunday (13 February), follows the success of the past year’s scheme which has seen 20 through the programme.

The company has apprentices from 20 years old to 65 working right the way through the business from Customer Service, Engineering, Operations, Human Resources and Procurement.

Sian Jenkins, Head of Human Resources, South East Water said: “The theme for the National Apprenticeship Programme ‘Build the Future’ fits in exactly with our ambitious target for increasing the number of apprenticeships in South East Water over the next 12 months.

“Particular focus will be on developing our employees internally and recruiting a new generation of future talent across all areas of our business. We hope that our plans improve our social mobility and give equal opportunity across all our departments, especially in the more traditional jobs which have been dominated by one particular gender.”

Maisie Carter, whose apprenticeship was in Human Resources said: “I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and if I had decided to take a different route I genuinely do not believe I would be in the position I am today.”

Working in Engineering, Craig Tooth said: “I will always be appreciative of the opportunities that have been given to me by South East Water as I now have a career path to follow.”

Paul Mansey, who at 46 is one of South East Water’s oldest apprentices within the Operations Department, said: “I have never turned any training opportunity down. I always tell people to just go for it as the sense of achievement is worth it.”

South East Water’s apprenticeship programme is now open for applicants on its website at www.southeastwater.co.uk/careers