Thames Water has opened applications for 145 apprenticeships, offering potential candidates and career changers the chance to build long-term careers in essential water and wastewater services.
All the apprentices are guaranteed employment on successful completion of their qualification.
Recognised as a Top Company for Apprentices to Work For (2025/26) by The JobCrowd, Thames Water also offers all apprentices two ‘time-to-give’ days where they can volunteer for community and charity projects.
College and degree level apprenticeships are available including roles in:
Engineering
Project management
HGV driving
Finance
Repair and maintenance
Data analytics
Laboratory scientist
Research by Thames Water has found that 75% of young people aged 16-25 in London and the Thames Valley believe apprenticeships are more beneficial than attending university.
However, nearly half of those surveyed (43%) were concerned they were too old for an apprenticeship1.
Thames Water’s apprenticeships have no upper age limit, and the company is encouraging applications from a wide range of backgrounds, including those changing careers.
Hollie Cook is a higher mechanical engineering apprentice, now in her fourth year of a five-year degree apprenticeship with Thames Water.
She said: “I love how many opportunities there are across the business, from engineering to business improvement, and how supportive the company is in helping me balance my degree with fulltime work.
“I’ll soon be stepping into the engineering world with both a qualification and five years of real experience behind me, and I’m really glad I chose this route.”
Karima Khandker, Director of Resourcing, Skills, EDI, Learning and Development at Thames Water, said: “Our purpose is to deliver life’s essential service, and we know prospective candidates increasingly want careers which contribute to their local community, help the environment, and provide valuable hands-on experience.
“Our apprenticeships are designed to do just that.
“As we embark on the biggest upgrade to our network in 150 years, we’re looking for people who want to help us make a real difference for our customers and the environment.
“Every apprentice who qualifies is guaranteed a job with us, and we’re excited to welcome our 2026 cohort.”
Thames Water is committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce by building a pipeline of skills through local communities, education partners, and lifelong opportunities for employees.
The company supports the Care Leavers Covenant, Armed Forces Covenant, and collaborates with groups like 10,000 Black Interns to create employment opportunities within the business.
In addition to increasing inhouse apprenticeships for current employees, Thames Water has a shared apprenticeship scheme within its supply chain to build sector-wide capability – a first of its kind in the water sector.
Full details at Thames Water’s Early Careers website.
1. Opinion Matters surveyed 2,000 16- to 25-year-olds, living in London, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire between 20/08/2025 and 02/09/2025.
