Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 25TH - 31ST MAY 2018 | 19 The new facility will use innovative treatment processes, designed and developed by Dutch water technol- ogy company PWNT, and tested at a prototype facility at Crownhill from June 2013 until June 2015. If you have an asset or project you would like to see featured in this slot, please send your pictures and details of the project to: paulnewton@fav-house.com or call 01342 332085. Pipe up Sue Husband Apprenticeships are at the heart of the government's drive to equip people of all ages with the skills that employers need. They provide the opportunity, and the means, to help address the skills shortages reported by many industries. This is especially true across our energy and utilities industry, where apprenticeships play a vital role in helping businesses to grow and prosper. At a time of rapid change for the industry, apprenticeships can help energy and utilities employers become future fit by upskilling existing workers and attracting new talent to the sector. Many businesses have already made apprenticeships a vital part of their strategic plans to recruit the skills they need. Last year, employers helped to develop 11 new "trailblazer standards" in England across the gas, water, power and waste industries, while others such as National Grid and Sellafield are making good progress in offering a range of diverse apprenticeships through to higher and degree level. But there is of course more work to do to ensure that apprenticeships work for the sector as a whole. We are in constant dialogue with employers to ensure their needs are met, while helping them to attract the right talent and boost the quality of candidates applying for apprenticeships. We've already launched a pro- gramme, Amazing Apprentice- ships, to inform teachers and schools about the benefits of young people becoming apprentices and we will be working with key employers in the energy and utilities sector to drive awareness of the great vacancies on offer through waves of marketing under the Get In Go Far campaign. Since the Apprenticeship Levy and other reforms were introduced last year, employers have faced a period of change and there will be challenges for them as they adjust and respond. However, we must not lose sight of why we introduced our reforms in the first place – to put quality at the heart of this programme for apprentices, and to put control in the hands of employers. Feedback shows employers are positive about the reforms and tak- ing their time to plan high-quality, well thought-through apprenticeship provision that meets their specific needs. Since May 2015, more than 1.2 million individuals have started an apprenticeship, which will provide each of them with the opportunity to gain the skills they need to get on in life. This is a fantastic achievement, but it is only the start: we want to make sure all energy and utili- ties employers have the skilled workforce they need. Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service "Apprenticeships can help employers become future fit by upskilling existing workers and attracting new talent" "Since May 2015, more than 1.2 million individuals have started an apprenticeship" Operations & Assets

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