Jobs and skills in the water industry

Our £100 billion investment plan

The water industry is investing to tackle the challenges created by a growing population, climate change and extreme weather, as well as supporting and enabling economic growth.

£100 billion will be invested into England's water and sewage infrastructure between 2025 and 2030, which is the second largest source of private investment in the country.

This investment programme will require the sector to employ more people, with different skills and from different backgrounds.

51,000

Approximate number of current full-time water company employees

16,900

Expected increase in in-house workforce over the next five years

15,000

Likely increase in water companies’ supply chain jobs

Backing our people. Hiring for the future.

The water industry expects to recruit for 50,000 jobs over the next five years.

The majority of this recruitment will be for new roles, with up to 17,000 in water companies and around 15,000 in the supply chain. That is on top of the creation of tens of thousands of further jobs across the wider economy.

The sector expects to create 5,000 apprenticeships over the next five years. Most of these will cover roles in six areas:

Operation and technical
Engineering
Digital and data
Project management and commercial
Environmental sciences
Support services

5,000

Apprentices to be employed over the next five years

8,500

Staff likely to retire over the next five years

Beyond entry-level roles, companies are also investing in apprenticeships for their established employees, focusing on operational leadership and team leader roles. Professional qualifications (such as Chartered Surveyor or Infrastructure Asset Management) are being supported through some of these routes. Several companies report over a 90% retention rate for apprentices.

Workers in hard-hats looking at a screen

Skills Summit - 15 July 2025

Water companies in England and the UK Government have today agreed to an unprecedented series of actions to enable a huge increase in employment and a boost to the skills of our workforce.

50,000 people recruited to join the water sector by 2030 – an increase in the water industry’s workforce that is greater than the total workforce directly employed in sectors like wind energy, or oil and gas.
Recruitment will include up to 5,000 apprentices and up to 2,000 further young people via a new ‘Water Academy Work Programme’.
Supporting over 100,000 long-term unemployed, care-leavers and veterans to benefit from ‘Untapped Talent’ initiatives which provide skills and access to jobs.
Thousands of work experience opportunities for young people each year.
The creation of a new £25,000 Watershot Prize to encourage graduate scientists to develop the technologies of the future and bring their expertise to the water sector.
Continuing to progress ‘Water Skills Bootcamps’ - 16-week courses that offer a guaranteed interview to anyone successfully completing the course.

Severn Trent

Emmanuel

Emmanuel from Coventry, completed studying at Cranfield University, then applied to the 10,000 Black interns programme and secured his internship at Severn Trent. He’s since gone to secure another internship with the company, and is set to start on the Severn Trent Graduate programme this September.

"The scheme offered me the opportunity to get my foot in the door while building future skills. I’ve had the opportunity to be part of key projects that align with the Company’s environmental commitments, and then I secured a twelve month internship and in the waste side of the business. In September I’m excited to be joining the Graduate Programme, and I can’t wait to continue my career with Severn Trent.”

Wessex Water

Tom, Ellie and Rosie

The conservation team at Wessex water deliver conservation land management and advise the company about improving sites for wildlife. They survey and monitor habitats and species of conservation importance, working with colleagues and communities to improve them on land owned by the water company.

They also manage sites of geological and historic value, ensuring these important features are saved for the future, while the land continues to deliver the vital water services required of it.

Northumbrian Water

Isabelle

Isabelle joined Northumbrian Water in 2024 and was named Graduate of the Year in 2025. Coming from a military family, she grew up moving frequently and was the first in her family to attend university. Initially awarded an army scholarship at 17, she was set to join the military in 2023 but chose a different path, completing a master’s degree and pursuing a career in utilities.

She was drawn to the water sector because of its shared values with the military such as discipline, service, and resilience. These also align closely with Northumbrian Water's culture and its Joining Forces with Water initiative.