Welsh Water set to recruit a record number of apprentices in award-winning programme for 2023

Achieving an 80% 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 is offering vacancies across a wide variety of roles, including operational, information technology, process science and customer service, allowing young people to head into a plethora of different careers and specialisms.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2023, 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 its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Perry who joined the organisation as an apprentice once he had completed his time at school.

Miles Chilvers, who started as an apprentice and is now an Operational Supervisor, said: “The apprentice programme was the perfect route for me after I’d finished my time at school. I learned all the skills I need for my role as Operational Supervisor today and I was surrounded by a fantastic, supportive group of colleagues. And best of all, I was paid to learn those new skills!”

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, we have 50 vacancies for new apprentices so that we can continuously growing our talent to develop a highly skilled workforce for the future.

Chloe Edwards, Customer Service Apprentice said: “An apprenticeship with Welsh Water is an excellent way to grow and develop - and you get a qualification, too.

“I think coming into the business as an apprentice has lots of benefits as we receive on the job training as well as being able to job shadow and learn directly from our colleagues. We’re also able to change roles within the department every six months which opens more opportunities for development. If you want to learn and have direct on the job training, then this programme is for you.”

Ieuan Llewellyn, a recently graduated Sewerage Apprentice who was nominated for Trainee of the Year, said: "I chose an apprenticeship once I’d finished school as I wanted to learn while working. I couldn’t think of a better company to work for as Welsh Water always put their customers first. I’d heard how supportive they are to their employees, and I like the fact that they are not-for-profit.”

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 creating loyal employees, increasing staff retention rates, and building a dedicated workforce that boost productivity, resulting in greater resilience for the future.

“We invest in, support and develop new employees who demonstrate that they have the drive to learn and grow - which is beneficial to both the company and the individual. We provide tailor-made skills that are suited to each role. Since 2012, we’ve taken on 243 apprentices and 178 of those have progressed their careers further with us and are still Welsh Water employees.”