80 graduates and apprentices join United Utilities to start their careers in the world of water

United Utilities has welcomed this year’s cohort of graduates and apprentices, with 80 new starters joining the North West’s water company.

The group – made up of 34 graduates and 46 apprentices – began their roles with an induction session at the company’s headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington followed by a five-day residential with the Outward Bound Trust where they will take on team building, problem solving and leadership challenges.

All graduates undertake a tailored programme to provide them with the business and technical knowledge required to become future leaders. They benefit from first-class training and support alongside an in-depth understanding of their chosen area and the chance to make a tangible contribution to live projects that are benefiting the entire region.

New graduate Georgia Dale, from Gloucester, joins United Utilities after completing a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Manchester University. She is taking up a role as a Hydraulics Engineer and said: “I’m really excited to be joining one of the biggest water companies in the country. It’s going to be a challenging role but I’m excited by that and to be joining a company that is so diverse.”

Among the apprentice group the new starters are taking up positions across the business in roles ranging from process controller and customer advisor to water network technicians, mechanical engineers and laboratory scientist. For the first time, United Utilities has recruited a dedicated cohort of data analysts to support the growth of digital technology in the business.

Many have joined the company after attending the first apprenticeship open evening earlier this year, where they had the chance to talk to existing apprentices and find out about life at United Utilities.

Apprentices at United Utilities are able to earn while they learn, studying Apprenticeship Standards which are endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and the Department for Education, while also gaining hands-on experience. They get to work across different areas of the business relevant to their role, and benefit from a variety of personal development opportunities.

Guy Hinnigan, from Walton in Liverpool, joins as an apprentice mechanical field service engineer and is looking forward to getting out onto sites. He said: “I find wastewater treatment fascinating and I’m looking forward to getting out onto the sites, working with the teams and being in an environment that most people never get to see.”

Adrienne McFarland, People Director at United Utilities, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new graduates and apprentices and look forward to working with them.

“They each bring a set of unique skills, experiences and enthusiasm to their role, and we’ll be aiding them in their professional development as well as supporting their wellbeing at work throughout their time at United Utilities.

“We're sure they all have bright careers ahead, and we're delighted that they're starting with us at United Utilities, helping to make our region stronger, greener and healthier.”

Applications for next year’s graduate positions will open later this September, and apprenticeship positions will open in February 2024. Details on all the roles, as well as other career opportunities at United Utilities, will be available at: www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/