Thames to launch supply chain apprentice scheme

Thames Water will lead an apprenticeship sharing scheme to open up opportunities for people wanting to gain skills and employment in the water sector and its supply chain.

The company is set to triple its apprenticeships as part of plans to take on 1,000 new staff this year.

Thames will launch the shared apprenticeship scheme later this year to offer more opportunities for both apprentices and employers by co-hosting recruits for a minimum of six months.

The scheme supports apprentices to complete their learning and gain qualifications across a range of employers and organisations.

It is designed for employers in Thames’ supply chain who want to hire apprentices but cannot commit to employment for the duration of an apprenticeship.

The announcement coincided with news from the Office of National Statistics that unemployment increased to 5 per cent between September and November and is likely to reach 2.6 million by the middle of 2021.

Across its business, Thames will create 50 placements for young people as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme from February for six months to give unemployed people experience in the sector.

Sarah Bentley, chief executive, said: “This is a long-term strategy to ensure we have the skilled workforce we need to meet the challenges the water industry faces now and in the future. As individuals and as a business, it’s important we never stop learning and I’m excited we’re expanding our educational offer so our colleagues can upskill and unlock their potential to progress their careers and interests.”

Elsewhere, Thames has signed up a series of inclusive employment pledges and programmes. These include offering opportunities to young people who have been in care or people with convictions to work in the sector by removing barriers to entry. It will encourage career progression through a training scheme for existing employees to improve digital, literacy and numeracy skills.

To reach younger people, Thames is enhancing its education programme with secondary and special educational needs schools.

As a large employer, the company signed up to an apprenticeship levy scheme with the London Progression Collaboration to gift its unused apprenticeship levy to support women in digital careers, SMEs and social enterprise projects.

The company is committed to diversity and inclusion programmes and was the first water company to gain Disability Confident Leader status.

Mims Davies, minster for employment, said: “It’s great to see our Plan for Jobs supported by Thames Water in looking to recruit more than 1,000 jobseekers – giving those who have lost jobs in the pandemic a route back into work by offering them industry experience and training so they can thrive in progressive careers.”