A YOUNG apprentice says a placement at a Reading-based water firm has been perfect for him as it has allowed him to explore different aspects of the company’s work.
To mark National Apprentice Week and to launch its new round of applications, Thames Water has shined a spotlight on some of its apprentices, including George de Noronha, who is in his first year of a project controls technician apprenticeship.
Based at the company’s headquarters in Clearwater Court, his role is known as a carrousel placement and sees him placed within several roles within the capital delivery and commercial sector.
He is completing a Level 3 Project Controls Apprenticeship, with bi-weekly sessions at London Metropolitan College where is will be awarded a diploma in project controls.
Mr de Noronha said he wanted to pick something broad that gave him experiences in different aspects of the business, to help him understand which direction to take.
“This apprenticeship was perfect as it has allowed me to rotate through different teams within capital delivery and experience more variety, which other apprenticeships may not allow,” he said.
“Specifically, Thames Water, is a large company where I could see a path to career
progression after I have completed my apprenticeship.”
The next round of apprenticeships will start in September, and Thames Water says it aims to employ at least 5% – one in 20 – of its workforce in “earn and learn” roles. It is currently at 3.3%.
