Energy & Utility Skills launches new Apprenticeships for the UK water industry
The UK water industry has received a major expansion in the Apprenticeship opportunities it can now offer to young people and adult learners.
Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) has been working with regulated water utility companies and utility contractors to design new Apprenticeships that are now approved for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Designed by employers to meet their specific needs, Apprenticeships provide a real solution to addressing shortages within organisations, whilst delivering tangible benefits such as increased productivity, profitability, staff retention and lower training costs.
The new water industry Apprenticeships now include a broader choice of Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs), which in turn underpin a wider range of job roles including all aspects of wastewater treatment operations, water network and water network-sewerage. Successful completion ensures every Apprentice will achieve the knowledge and competence standards required by industry for these job roles.
Apprentices learn on the job, so their knowledge is up-to-date and the practical skills they gain are the ones that are right for the business. The Apprenticeships are flexible enough for an employer to guide their Apprentice through a nationally recognised qualification that closely meets the requirements of the job they are being trained to do.
EU Skills hopes the development of this new Apprenticeship and the uniqueness of what it offers will encourage more employers to use the Apprenticeship as a key mechanism for training and recruitment. Many employers in the water industry recognise the benefits an Apprentice can bring to their company, particularly in an industry where technically competent individuals are becoming increasingly difficult to recruit.
Paul Campbell, Skills Development Manager, Scottish Water said: “Apprentices ensure a sustainable capability for the business. We forward plan and bring in Apprentices to ensure we have the skills the business will require in three to four years time. Apprentices bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the business.”
Helen White, Apprenticeships Manager at EU Skills commented: “EU Skills is delighted with the approval of these Apprenticeships. Many industry employers struggle to buy in the skills they require and are choosing to “grow their own workforce”. The new Apprenticeships include a greater choice of qualifications and so underpin a much broader range of job roles. This will support an increasing number of employers to train through Apprenticeships.”
To find out more information about EU Skills Apprenticeship development or for further information on the Apprenticeships that are on offer in your industry and the cost and benefits to your business, contact Helen White, Apprenticeship Manager EU Skills on 0845 077 7034 or visit www.euskills.co.uk.
