Wessex Water’s annual apprenticeship open day in Bath attracted in excess of 300 visitors, keen to learn more about career opportunities at the company.
More than 40 new apprenticeship vacancies are being created at Wessex Water and stands were staffed by teams from both office-based and technical departments, including engineering and construction, with managers and existing apprentices on hand for advice.
Last month the government announced that 3,000 new higher and degree apprenticeships had been created nationwide, with Wessex Water on a list of high-profile companies that includes Nestle, Rolls-Royce and Sainsbury’s.
Becca Thurston, Wessex Water’s apprenticeship manager, said: “The open days couldn’t take place without the support of the business as a whole, although it was one of our current human resources apprentices Liberty Howe who took the reins as organiser this year.
“It was great to see a record number of people coming through the doors, including 140 potential apprentices who were shown how we operate.”
Wessex Water also used the event to show off its new Igloo – a virtual, immersive 360° virtualisation unit. This state of the art technology is being used for the £38 million refurbishment at the Durleigh treatment works reservoir.
Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Higher and degree apprenticeships are broadening opportunities for individuals to achieve high-level qualifications to sit alongside invaluable skills they gain from their apprenticeship.
“Seeing the many opportunities now available is a very exciting prospect. More and more apprentices will be achieving the high-level skills our economy needs to compete.”
