Engineering Diplomas get boost from Severn Trent Water

25 February 2010

With the need to ensure its workforce has the right skills required and a lack of 'new blood' coming into the industry, Severn Trent Water has taken matters into its own hands by supporting the government's recently-launched engineering diploma programme.

The diplomas will become one of three mainstream education options, alongside GCSEs and 'A' levels and apprenticeships, and offer the students the chance not only to study in both classroom and college, settings, but also in the workplace.

"Having the right people, with the right skills, in the right roles is crucial if our business is to survive and grow," said Juliet Saimbi, Learning and Development Manager for Severn Trent Water.

"With an ageing worker profile, we have to get more imaginative about the ways in which we encourage young people to pursue engineering careers, and demonstrate that the water industry is an exciting, rewarding and challenging sector in which to work."

Severn Trent Water is currently helping 15 Warwickshire teenagers explore the potential of the engineering diploma and plans to offer five of the pupils a total of 10 days work experience placements as part of their diploma.

All 15 students have been selected from Southam and North Leamington schools, and started working towards their diplomas in September last year.

"We firmly believe that engineering offers a great career, and the water industry, like many others, needs to encourage and develop a new generation of talented people with drive, enthusiasm and ideas to help take our business forward," said Severn Trent Water Chief Executive Tony Wray.

"We have to invest in our future now and I'd encourage colleagues elsewhere in the water sector and beyond to add their support to this excellent initiative."

Added Juliet: "We held a 'taster' day just before Christmas so all 15 students could begin to get a feel for what the prospects might be, and to whet their appetites for the diploma. We had some great feedback from the participants, who all impressed us with their enthusiasm and curiosity, and we're really looking forward to seeing them all develop and grow throughout the programme."

The engineering diplomas are being run in conjunction with Warwickshire College.

* From September 2011, Severn Trent Water also plans to support a number of 14-16 year-old students through Higher Science Diplomas. It will also be providing support for a further 15 engineering diploma students in Derbyshire later this year.