24 Apr 2023
United Utilities scoops regional award for graduate scheme
United Utilities has scooped a regional award for its graduate scheme, with judges commending the water company for giving university leavers exposure to many parts of the business, helping them to establish a “solid foundation” on which to build their careers.
The Warrington-based company picked up the Graduate/Training Scheme Award at Insider’s North West Young Professionals Awards 2023 last week.
In its entry, United Utilities highlighted how the graduate scheme builds a pipeline of future talent and equips graduates with the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the business in the future. It covers a variety of disciplines including Future Leaders, Project Management, Engineering, Finance and Data. Graduates receive dedicated training, gain professional accreditations, and experience different parts of the business, and on completion, they have a mapped role in the business which they can move into. Since 2020, 84% of graduates have stayed with United Utilities.
The judges said: “The clear effectiveness of United Utilities' graduate scheme demonstrated by high retention rates earned them this year's award. The judges felt that the scheme exposed graduates to a lot of different areas within the business, giving them a solid foundation for the next stage of their career.”
Julie Newton, Head of People Engagement and Culture at United Utilities, commented: “We’re really proud of our graduate scheme so it’s fantastic to receive this external recognition.
“The award is testament to the commitment and passion of our people team, who are always looking for ways to improve our graduate programme and ensure we’re encouraging a diverse range of students to consider a career with United Utilities.
“There is always strong competition for the places as we believe our programme is not only industry-leading but one of the best in the region, and this award demonstrates that.”
Matt Postlethwaite joined United Utilities in 2021 on the Future Leaders graduate scheme. He said: “I was delighted to be accepted on to the United Utilities Future Leaders graduate scheme after completing my undergraduate degree in geography and a masters in environmental science.
“United Utilities is a fantastic place to work – there’s so much support in terms of career development through training and mentoring programmes; a great culture where people are encouraged to be themselves; and fantastic benefits too.
“I’m really proud to be building my career with United Utilities – the scheme is helping me gain the skills, qualifications and experience I need to move to a leadership position in the future.”
Jacqui Kawczak, Senior Education Lead at United Utilities, added: “The training throughout the scheme sets our graduates up for a long, successful career within the business.
“Over 78% of graduates who have completed their programme over the past three years have converted immediately into management roles upon completion, which is really helping to drive the business forward, bringing young talent in who go onto manage teams, are innovative thinkers, challenge the status quo, and support our diversity and inclusion agenda.”
There are currently 62 graduates on the scheme, and the next group, starting this September, has 48% females and 48% from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Training during the three-year programme covers role-based competencies, industry accreditations, and personal skills such as influencing and presenting skills. There are seven awareness days for graduates to experience different parts of the business, and the annual CEO Challenge which tasks groups with finding innovative solutions to some of the problems facing the industry.