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UTILITY Week 20 05 16

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This week we profile Will Fin- lay, laboratory project manager with South East Water and one of the Institute of water's Ris- ing Stars of 2016. What was your first job? I worked for a restaurant as a pot washer. How did you come to join your company? I started working for South East Water as a temporary employee in the laboratory and aer being with the company for a couple of months they created a full-time position for me. How long have you been with them? I have been with South East Water for 12 years now. People & Opinion Utility Week community Rising Stars Will Finlay, laboratory project manager, South East Water What has been your best achievement since joining? As the laboratory project man- ager, I oversaw the complete laboratory relocation and trans- fer of methods. I was part of a project team responsible for the design of the new water testing facility. This was completed with no break in UKAS accreditation, meaning that service continuity was maintained for all sample analysis. What preconception about your company did you find was most wrong? I was very surprised with the vast range of different areas of the business and the different skill sets within South East Water. Who would play you in the film of your life? Johnny Depp, as he has played some very different and interest- ing roles. What's your favourite film and TV programme? Pulp Fiction (film); Match of the Day (TV). What would you do if you ruled the world? I would make wholesome water and free healthcare available for all, and also have a football world cup every year. What's your favourite joke? A man comes to Mrs Smith's door and says: "There's been an accident at the brewery. Your husband fell into a vat of beer and drowned." Mrs. Smith wails: "Oh, the poor man! He never had a chance!" The man says: "I don't know about that. He got out three times to go to the bathroom." Do you have a message for the industry? Regulatory water analysis is central to ensuring that tap water continues to be of the highest standard. It is impor- tant that everyone in the water industry appreciates the high levels of competency behind this testing as we strive to comply with the demands set by our regulators. There is currently a lot of emphasis in the industry on continuous professional development, better known as CPD, which I think is great. We should embrace all the availa- ble support around us in order to reach our full potential. Find out more about the Institute of Water's Rising Stars programme at: www.institureofwater.org. uk/rising-stars/ UTILITY WEEK | 20TH - 26TH MAY 2016 | 7 "Our work with Dong on the West of Duddon Sands offshore windfarm gave us confidence that costs could be reduced in the sector. Future projects with CfD support are around the £115- £120/MWh mark. We are confident we can make further reaches into that cost reduction target. We can look at the components that go into them – the foundations, the cabling and so on – and get the best value and drive costs lower." Lindsay McQuade, director of policy and innovation at Scottish Power Renewables Adam Hayes, director of training provider, JTJ Workplace Solutions, Adam Hayes, director of training provider, JTJ Workplace Solu- tions, writes: Utility firms need an upskilling strategy The government is committed to upskilling the British workforce because it recognises that the UK faces a significant skills shortage in the coming years. Neglecting this will cost the economy billions of pounds, but at a granular level, every business's workforce in the UK has to be improved – through understanding, training and applications that drive them forward. Things are changing, but we're still a long way off where we need to be. To read the full blog, visit: http://bit. ly/277GK6g From the blog "Investment in renewable technology and energy is at a record high in the UK, and the government is always careful to consult before making changes so that we take industry with us and deliver the stability that it needs" Energy secretary Amber Rudd.

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