Scottish Water commits contractors to employ apprentices and graduates

Scottish Water has committed its preferred bidder for a £560 million infrastructure contract to provide apprenticeship and graduate places over the next six years.

Efficient Service Delivery (ESD), a joint venture between Galliford Try, MWH Treatment and Black and Veatch, has been named as the preferred bidder for the contract to work on its reservoirs, pumping stations and water treatment works.

As part of the deal, ESD will be required to: take on 15 modern apprentices in the first year with six in each year thereafter – a total of 45 apprentices; and employ 10 graduates in the first year, with four in each following year – a total of 30 graduates during the six year programme of work.

The joint venture will also have to deliver community benefits including a commitment to supporting Scottish Water’s education programme, with 100 educational visits promised.

This is the third alliance partnership to be announced by Scottish Water for its 2015-21 investment programme, which will see the delivery of upgrades, maintenance and new infrastructure assets worth £3.5 billion.

Scottish Water chief executive Douglas Millican said the new alliance contracts, and the commitment for the contractors to provide apprenticeship and graduate roles “reflects the commitment of Scottish Water to developing the next generation of people to take forward the future of the industry”.

He added: “As well as being good news for the economy, our investment programme will enable us to build on improvements to customer service around Scotland, while protecting and enhancing the environment.

“This will ensure our customers continue to receive fresh, clear drinking water, while at the same time benefitting from one of the best value water and waste water services in the UK.”

The £3.5 billion investment programme from Scottish Water is also being backed by £720 million of borrowing from the Scottish government.