Ofsted Rates United Utilities Apprenticeship Programme Good
Education and skills watchdog Ofsted has given the thumbs up to a North West water company’s apprenticeship programme.
After spending three intensive days with apprentices, tutors and managers, inspectors rated United Utilities’ further education training as ‘good’. Inspectors were particularly impressed with the ‘unwavering’ commitment of leaders and managers and the ‘exceptional facilities and resources’ at United Utilities’ dedicated technical training centre, which opened at Bolton Wastewater Treatment Works in 2015.
Phil White, a former United Utilities’ apprentice and former Head of Learning and Development at the FTSE100 company, said Ofsted’s rating underlined the success of the programme and provided an assurance of quality for parents and young people when considering their career steps.
The company was also instrumental in the development of a new apprenticeships standard for the role of Water Process Technician. Their first recruits who commenced in 2015 graduated in 2018 including the first apprentice on this new standard to be awarded a distinction.
Jacqui Kawczak, Apprenticeship & Graduate Delivery Manager, commented: “Working collaboratively with Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS) as a preferred End-point Assessment organisation has been pivotal in ensuring the quality and standard of the apprenticeship meets the needs of us the employer.
Since launching its new apprenticeship scheme four years ago, United Utilities has earned multiple accolades. Last year the company was named Macro Employer of the Year by the National Apprenticeship Service and it is recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprentice Employers. Investing in new talent will give us the skills and leaders we need in the future. The water industry in the UK is going through a period of unprecedented change and we want to be right up there with the best.”