Sunday (8 March) was International Women’s Day and many of us may not know that women are a big part of Severn Trent’s business. Almost half (41 per cent) of directors at the company, 66 per cent of new graduates and a quarter of apprentices are female. And, for both women and men who’d like to work in a role where no day is the same, the Severn Trent apprentice scheme is now open for applications.
“The water industry isn’t all just jobs for the boys, it’s a great place for women workers – one day you could be in a hard hat and high-viz at a sewage treatment works, the next, you’re in a dress and heels in the office.” explains Severn Trent water-woman and Coleshill resident, Chelsea-Lee Grimes.
“I joined the company as an apprentice seven years ago and I’m Severn Trent to the core. I’ve just started working from our sewage treatment works in Finham, Coventry, as customer and community leader. Since starting, I’ve been lucky enough to have a variety of different roles – helping customers to pay their bills, working as a grounds maintenance contracts manager looking after things like rat baiting, I also organised our volunteering programme – Water Champions – which transforms gardens in schools and community centres across our region. It’s great working in an industry which is seen to be more for men, as a woman that makes no difference to me.”
Severn Trent chief executive, Liv Garfield, adds: “Whether female or male, joining any business as an apprentice or graduate on an inspiring development programme is rocket fuel for a talented individual’s career development. For our business, new hungry workers invigorate our team and help to drive innovation, with mentoring from our experienced staff.”
Shropshire based Alice Whetstone, who graduated recently and has worked with Severn Trent for the last six months, spends her days working to protect homes from sewer flooding.
Alice explains: “Young women can be put off a career in engineering because it’s perceived to be a male profession. My day job sees me designing new sewer systems to help protect our customers from sewer flooding – it makes a real difference to communities and I feel it’s important to inspire more young women to follow in my path.”
Whether you’re male or female, Severn Trent Water’s apprentice scheme is open for applications –– if you’d like to find out more or recommend it to your family, visit severntrentapprentices.com.