Severn Trent Water is currently helping 15 Warwickshire teenagers explore the potential of the engineering diploma and plans to offer five of the pupils a total of 10 days work experience placements as part of their diploma. All 15 students have been selected from Southam and North Leamington schools, and started working towards their diplomas in September last year.

Juliet Saimbi, learning and development manager for Severn Trent Water said: “Having the right people, with the right skills, in the right roles is crucial if our business is to survive and grow. With an ageing worker profile, we have to get more imaginative about the ways in which we encourage young people to pursue engineering careers, and demonstrate that the water industry is an exciting, rewarding and challenging sector in which to work.”

From September 2011, Severn Trent Water also plans to support a number of 14-16 year-old students through Higher Science Diplomas. It will also be providing support for a further 15 engineering diploma students in Derbyshire later this year.