Minister and Thames Water celebrate National Apprenticeship Week

A GOVERNMENT minister has welcomed Thames Water’s commitment to creating jobs through apprenticeships and supporting T Levels on a visit to Basingstoke sewage treatment works.

Robert Halfom, minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education and MP for Harlow, met Thames Water apprentices on Thursday, February 9, during National Apprenticeship Week.

The week highlights the positive contributions that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Mr Halfon said: “Thames Water is a skills and apprenticeships powerhouse, and the company’s ongoing commitment to investing in future talent was on display when I visited during National Apprenticeship Week.

“The company has not only taken on 230 apprentices in the last year, they are also supporting our roll-out of ground-breaking new T Levels qualifications, helping to achieve parity of esteem between academic and vocational education and extend the ladder of opportunity to people from all backgrounds.”

T Levels are new courses that are equivalent to three A Levels and follow on from GCSEs.

These two-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, so the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work.

Thames Water is hoping to increase the diversity of its workforce by building a pipeline of skills from local communities and the education sector and by creating lifelong employment and learning opportunities for its employees.

As part of its skills strategy, the company has started supporting the new T Level qualification and has increased the number of apprenticeship pathways it offers from three to 32.

These range from college level to degree level apprenticeships in a variety of roles from electrical and mechanical engineering to quantity surveying and project management.

Lynne Graham, Thames Water people director, said: “As we continue to turnaround our business and improve our performance, we must ensure our people receive the right investment in skills development to have successful and sustainable careers. We’re excited to be offering further access to career opportunities to drive social mobility and provide good work for all.” n For more information, visit: thameswater.co.uk

Applications for its 2023 apprenticeships, starting in September, are now open.