Future talent & skills
One of our biggest challenges is not having the core skills we need – now and in the future. That’s why one of our main priorities is to invest in people and communities, so everyone can access sustainable careers.
Our goal is a skilled workforce, supported by a strong education and skills system that helps everyone thrive.
Creating a workforce that reflects our communities
As well as ensuring we have the skills we need to deliver life’s essential service, we want to make sure that everyone who works at Thames Water gets the investment and support they need to enjoy a successful and sustainable career.
Actions we’re taking to achieve this:
- Improving the diversity of our workforce by building a pipeline of skills from local communities and the education sector
- Creating careers, not just jobs, by investing in our people and fostering a culture of lifelong learning
- Establishing sustainable strategic skills partnerships, like 10,000 Black Interns and Workwhile
- Becoming leaders in skills development, both in our industry and with our supply chain.
We’re determined to make a real impact, by:
- Investing in an appropriately skilled workforce
- Providing opportunities for those not in education, employment or training
- Working with the education sector to link curriculum with careers
- Delivering quality apprenticeships for current and new employees
- Connecting with local communities to show we’re a good employer.
We want to create an inclusive and diverse workforce that fuels personal and business growth and builds skills – not just for today but for the future.
By 2025 we’re aiming to:
Careers, not just jobs
It’s not just about keeping taps running and toilets flushing. We want to be a genuine force for good in the communities we serve. That’s why we’re working hard to make sure everyone in our region has the support and training they need to have a career they love that makes the most of who they are.
We’re determined to tackle in-work poverty and improve under-employment, so we’re working with local communities to remove barriers to employment in lots of ways:
- Committing to 5% of our workforce being in ‘earn and learn’ opportunities by offering over 100 apprenticeships annually through the 5% Club
- Partnering with Ban the Box to increase opportunities for people with convictions to compete for jobs
- Joining the Care Leaver Covenant, supporting people aged 16 to 25 from the care system with exclusive opportunities, mentoring and discounts.
We’re working hard to help create a fairer society and boost careers in the community. Whatever you’ve done and wherever you’re from, we’ll invest in you and your career.
Our focus on apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be the best of both worlds – combining practical training at work with education, so you can ‘earn while you learn’.
We’ve had engineering apprentices for many years, and recently broadened our offering to offer more opportunities to new apprentices and our colleagues who want to upskill. We offer a variety of advanced, higher and degree-level apprenticeships and all of them lead to professional qualifications, and a permanent role with a competitive salary.
We can’t think of a better way to help nurture local talent and do our bit for the community.
It doesn’t matter what skills you have or what age you are – if you’ve got a passion for knowledge and the drive to manage your learning and working life, a Thames Water apprenticeship could be for you.
