WATER company United Utilities is expanding its apprenticeship programme.

The company welcomed 56 new 56 new apprentices in January and now has recruited a further 46 apprentices, 24 Graduates and next month will be recruiting a further 24 Customer Service apprentices.

They will be trained at the company's modern technical training centre in Bolton.

The water company delivers an award winning apprenticeship scheme and now has over 160 apprentices currently gaining practical hands-on skills in a diverse range of roles, alongside achieving nationally recognised qualifications, including degree-level.

The new intake will be completing recognised programmes in a variety of roles from payroll, project controls, construction supervisors, income, engineering, water technicians and trainee Buyers.

Jacqui Kawczak, Apprentice Delivery Manager, United Utilities, said: “We’re delighted to be able to invest in future generations of our workforce as we recover from the economic impact of Covid-19.

“We’re committed to creating opportunities for people in the communities we serve in Bolton and the contribution apprentices and graduate make to our business is invaluable.”

After being welcomed into the company the new recruits are currently completing a week long outward bound programme, in Eskdale Cumbria, where they will undertake a range of resilience and mind set challenges.

After that they’ll join United Utilities’ army of around 5,000 staff keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing for seven million people in the North West.

As the pandemic’s economic cost is laid bare, United Utilities says its ambition is to create job opportunities for people across Bolton and the North West has not waned.

The company is involved in the Government’s Kick Start programme and is working with #10000BlackInterns - a Black internship programme offering paid work experience across various industries.

Apprentices are aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a specific job.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice