National Apprenticeship Week begins today with water companies across the UK calling on people of all ages and backgrounds to consider a career in the water industry. 

The annual event celebrates its 15th anniversary this year and runs from February 7 to February 13. Focusing on the year’s theme of ‘Build the Future’, water companies are highlighting the importance and integral role apprentices play in their companies and in society as future leaders.  

The week encourages people to learn more about the positive impact and benefits apprenticeships have on communities, local businesses and regional economies.  

As well as sharing apprentices’ personal stories – demonstrating how they have built their confidence, learned skills and gained qualifications – water companies are offering people opportunities to become apprentices in the industry.  

There are interesting and exciting employment opportunities in every region of the country, with jobs ranging from water operatives to engineers, and HR business partners to cyber security analysts – and each one of them help keep the nation’s water flowing.  

As well as this, many water companies are supporting the Government’s ‘Kickstart’ scheme which aims to create job placements for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit. 

Christine McGourty, Chief Executive of Water UK, said:  

“We want more people to join the water industry and if anyone is wondering what their next career step should be, I’d recommend looking into becoming an apprentice in the water sector. It’s a great place to develop personally and professionally, where you can learn new skills and build confidence. We have people from all backgrounds, ages and those changing their career direction.  

“Water companies provide a vital public service and play a leading role in safeguarding public health and protecting and enhancing the environment is really rewarding. You can have a career where you make a real difference to people’s lives and to the environment, now and for the future.” 

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Water UK is sharing experiences from apprentices working in water in their own words while going behind the scenes to see what being an apprentice in our industry is like. 

Water companies are committed to creating sustainable jobs and boosting skills to play their part in bringing about a green economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and National Apprenticeship Week is just one way of celebrating the amazing people working in our sector.