South West Water expands graduate recruitment programme with up to 25 new places

18th January 2022

South West Water is looking to attract more talented individuals to its graduate management programme for 2022, with up to 25 full-time, permanent places available in a range of roles across the business.

The programme launched in 2021 as part of the company’s commitment to recruit 100 graduates by 2025 and huge interest for places saw South West Water expand its initial intake from 20 roles to 28, with graduates coming from local counties and from as far as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.

Current graduates have been working on a range of diverse projects such as the Promise to the Planet programme around company Net Zero commitments and a new pilot water treatment works, helping improve resilience to the water supply system to address the challenges of climate change. 

We’re hiring the next generation of leaders and we all want the same thing, to attract new talent to help support our ambitious plans to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Adele Barker, Group Chief People Officer for Pennon, which owns South West Water, said: “As the largest company in the South West we are thrilled to be boosting the region’s economy and investing in new talent by recruiting our second intake of graduates as part of our ambitious targets to invest in skills and create jobs.

“These placements will help keep top talent in the region, whilst attracting talent in from all across the UK and even further afield. All while delivering projects focused on improving public health, protecting the environment and addressing climate change.”

In addition to graduate recruitment, South West Water have a significant apprenticeship programme which will offer 500 opportunities over five-years alongside the Government’s Kickstart programme to help young people into work. In 2020, it was one of the first companies to sign up to the scheme, which funds six-month paid jobs for 16–24-year-olds to gain valuable work experience. The company recently recruited the 50th Kickstarter, with around 60% taking up full-time positions after completing the scheme.

Meet Bethany and Emmanuel – two South West Water graduates

Bethany Lock, a South West Water Customer Communications and Engagement Team graduate, is from the South West and views the region as a very special place. With a passion for the environment, she felt this role was perfect and was excited to experience different areas of the business and develop both personally and professionally. Bethany said: “I’m delighted to be on this scheme as I’ve been given lots of responsibility, been involved in many exciting opportunities and I’ve been able to learn operational skills. “My role so far in the Customer Communications and Engagement Team has involved setting up a TikTok account, creating engaging content for Instagram and Facebook, and designing educational literature for primary schools, all centred around water efficiency, our Love Your Loo campaign and our amazing community work. "I would encourage any graduate to apply for this scheme because it’s such a hands-on and valuable experience, in an important sector, at the largest company in the South West."

 

Emmanuel Elegbede has been working as an Operational Management Graduate in South West Water’s Drinking Water Services team since September 2021. He was attracted to the mentorship available through the scheme and was impressed with the company’s ambitions to attract graduates from different backgrounds. The promise of support from senior team members and a dedicated buddy colleague was a level of close nurturing Emmanuel sought to allow for his creativity and innovation to thrive. He said: “I’m elated to be on a scheme that welcomes graduate from different backgrounds, both academic and origin. “My role with the Water Quality team as an Assistant Water Quality Scientist has been very fulfilling, knowing that I’m contributing towards the future of water quality in the region through my work with innovative membrane technologies for two pilot water treatment works.”