Welsh Water’s award-winning apprenticeship programme is back for 2024

• Welsh Water opens its 2024 apprenticeship programme, with 44 vacancies on offer
• It’s National Apprenticeship Week and Welsh Water is celebrating the people who are currently on or have been through an apprenticeship and encouraging more young people to join the award-winning apprenticeship programme
• Apprentices play a vital role in the business, providing skills and resilience for the future and in turn creating loyal employees.

Welsh Water, the not-for-profit water company, is recruiting 44 apprentices for its 2024 programme. Achieving an 80% apprentice retention rate since 2018, Welsh Water prides itself on its varied and successful training programme, spanning across water, wastewater, retail, and support service teams.

The scheme has previously won awards including Best Apprenticeship Scheme from CIPD Wales and Best Intermediate Apprenticeship, Best Higher Apprenticeship and Top Employer – Energy & Utilities from School Leavers Awards.

This year, Welsh Water continue to offer vacancies across a wide variety of roles, including operational technicians and customer service, allowing young people to head into a plethora of different careers and specialisms.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2024, the company reflects on the success of the programme, and the ability to grow its own talent to develop employees that are highly motivated and skilled. It has a track record of offering an apprenticeship programme that can take people anywhere, including the inspirational journey of its own Chief Executive Officer, Peter Perry who joined the organisation as an apprentice once he had completed his time at school.

Welsh Water recruit approximately 30 apprentices each year – some who start at 16, as soon as they leave school, as well as those who have studied in further education. This year, the company has 44 vacancies for new apprentices so that it can continuously grow its talent to develop a highly skilled workforce for the future.

And apprenticeships aren’t just for people who have just left education. Sam Pridgeon, Trainee Sewerage Operator, joined us as an apprentice aged 29 last year after deciding to make a career change, said: ‘Before joining Welsh Water, I worked as a bin man for a local council, and I was ready for a career change. I’d not really considered an apprenticeship as the stigma of starting again later in life was daunting to me.’

‘A friend had told me about Welsh Water’s apprenticeships, and I knew I wanted to continue working outdoors, using my hands. And it got my foot in the door with the company! So far, my experience has been like no other. I’m constantly doing something different, and every day is a learning day for me. My whole team have been so welcoming and supportive, and really bring out the best in me.’

Zak Marlow-Payne, Customer Service apprentice said: “So far, my Welsh Water journey has been amazing, and I’ve had lots of highlights within my short time at the company. The support I’ve received from my colleagues and managers has been brilliant – I’m looking forward to seeing where my career progresses!”

Ffion Hutcheson, Apprentice Quantity Surveyor said: “Welsh Water’s apprentice scheme offers a robust blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, which has provided me with a comprehensive skill set. Consistently applying classroom learning to real-world scenarios within the work environment has been a fantastic way to learn while I earn.”

Annette Mason, Head of Talent and Inclusivity said: “Apprenticeships are particularly important to us at Welsh Water as it’s an effective, long-term investment in our future talent resulting in greater resilience for the years to come. ”

To find out more about Welsh Waters 2024 apprenticeship opportunities and to apply, visit: https://www.dwrcymru.com/apprentices