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More than 5,000 apprentices wanted to deliver transformative £96 billion investment programme

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Water companies in England and Wales are looking to attract a record number of apprentices by the end of the decade to help deliver one of the biggest investment programmes in Europe.  

As part of National Apprenticeship Week water companies are encouraging school leavers and job seekers of all ages to consider a career in the water sector. Over 5,000 apprentices will help deliver massive investment projects to help guarantee a stable supply of clean water, even as our climate changes, and cleaner rivers and seas for people to enjoy.

There has never been a more exciting time to join the sector with water companies proposing unprecedented investment to ensure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage entering rivers and seas.  

Water companies have set out ambitious plans to invest £96 billion of spending between 2025 and 2030. This investment will result in a 50% increase in the workforce with more than 30,000 highly skilled jobs also expected to be created.

Water apprentices will be at the forefront of delivering transformative change up and down the country. Ten new reservoirs are set to be built alongside 28 new wetlands. Water companies will also introduce new water transfer schemes to carry water from wetter parts of the country to drier regions. The sector also has a plan to modernise the nation’s sewers and is proposing to triple the current level of investment to reduce storm overflow spills by up to 140,000 each year. These ambitious plans will see apprentices help build thousands of huge underground storage tanks, use nature-based schemes to control rainfall and treat wastewater, and upgrade pipes to become “smart sewers” which intelligently control flows.  

Water companies employ hundreds of apprentices every year and offer a wide range of roles from front line operations to finance and human resources. Among other things, apprentices are already on the front-line repairing leaks, testing drinking water samples and treating wastewater.  

Water company apprentices enjoy ongoing training and development opportunities. This includes onsite training academies with several water companies offering on-site or digital hubs for staff looking to improve their skills.  

To learn more about water companies’ plans visit https://www.water.org.uk/apprenticeships-water-company  

Dan Walker-Nolan, Director of Policy, Water UK, said: “There has never been a more exciting time to join the water industry and already water companies are investing record amounts to secure the security of our water supply in the future and significantly reduce the amount of sewage in rivers and seas.  

“Our plans for the coming years are just the start and an apprenticeship in the industry will put you right at the heart of this transformative change as water companies step up resilience planning to tackle the effects of climate change. Whether it’s building a reservoir, increasing the capacity of our sewers or using technological innovations to cut leaks and enhance the health of our rivers and seas there will be no lack of projects to get involved with. Make sure you contact your local water company if you would like to find out more.”

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

Topics

Employment
Investment
Environment
Drinking water
Climate change