Water & Wastewater Treatment

40 | MAY 2014 | WWT | www.wwtonline.co.uk In the know Skilling up: workforce development F orty-two apprentices get their chance to shine in 2014 as Anglian Water starts one of its biggest apprenticeship intakes to date. Recruitment opened at the end of March for the first wave of apprentices. They will graduate a•er four years into permanent positions with Anglian Water. The second phase of recruit- ment starts in July, with apprentices joining an 18-month apprenticeship programme. The 42 new recruits join more than 90 other apprentices already progressing through various four year and 18-month programmes. Anglian Water's apprenticeships are aimed at people aged 16 and older, who have at least five GCSE (or equiva- lent) grades A to C in both English and Maths. Successful applicants will join as permanent employees and will study for vocational qualifications in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering. The 2014 apprentices will be based in the East Anglia region with locations mapped to the retirement profiles of Anglian Water's current employee base. Phil Brown, head of people development, Anglian Water, said: "Nurturing talented young people is vital for the future of our business and supports the region's economy. "A few years ago we looked at the age profile of our existing workforce and saw clearly we had a growing challenge. We have many highly skilled and experienced, long-serving employees and replacing them upon their retirement will be no quick or easy task. So, we have chosen to bring in the new leaders of Anglian Water now, developing the lifeblood of our future business through apprentice- ships. "We have grown our apprentice- ship intake and since then, we've recruited more than 130 new appren- Future leaders Recruitment opens for Anglian Water's apprentices tices. We already know that growing your own pays dividends, as many of our current senior managers joined on such schemes as either apprentices or graduate trainees. "We also recognise that second careers are becoming more common. People might want to try something new, turn their interests into a career perhaps, and that's why we look for potential talent. Qualifica- tions are important but beyond that we need individuals who are practical, problems solvers and who have an eye for the importance of customer service," he said.In their first year, ap- prentices on the four-year programme are based, full-time, at Grantham Col- lege. A•er this, they work in the field with a mentor and spend one week in four at college. Apprentices on the 18-month programme work in the field from day one and are provided train- ing by WaterSkills. Salaries for the four year appren- ticeship programme start at £12,000 a year and go up with each year of the programme. Once graduated the start- ing salary is around £23,000 with ad- ditional benefits including a company van and shi• allowance, bringing the total package to around £30,000. For further reading please go to wwtonline.co.uk phil brown heAd of people developMenT, AngliAn WATeR RISIng up Membership ● The Society of british water and wastewater in- dustries reports a steady membership base "despite a chal- lenging year for the water industry supply chain". The society has a new chairman, Martyn hopkinson, Mh20, who returns to the role a er two and a half years. David Smoker, ACo Technologies becomes immediate past chairman. Colin waugh, Clancy Docwra, remains as vice-chairman and Tony Griffiths, WRc, was elected as Society Treasurer at the society's annual general meeting in March. hopkinson says the focus for 2014 would be on developing stronger relationships with water companies, water UK, EU Skills and other water industry organisations. Appointments ● Simon bimpson has been ap- pointed head of utilities at consult- ant EC harris. he will focus on strengthening the consultancy's capabilities in the utilities sector. bimpson, with more than 20 years' experience advising asset rich, regulated clients, across multiple sectors from water, energy and infrastructure, brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the new role, says the consultancy firm. ComIng up 13 th may The Water industry in- novation Conference tackles the challenge of ageing infrastructure, rising bad debt and increasing environmental pressures on water utilities at the holi- day inn, Birmingham City Centre. www.wwt-innovation.net 14 th may The european Utility Management Conference takes place in oslo, norway. www.iwa-euc2014.org 21 St may The SWig workshop on flow measurement in Man- chester highlights the latest develop- ments in flow metering and flow data quality. www.swig.org.uk

• Cover