Severn Trent
One of the largest publicly traded water and waste management companies in the UK. Headquartered in Coventry, it supplies clean drinking water and treats wastewater for more than 4.6 million households and businesses across the heart of the UK, stretching from the Bristol Channel to the Humber and parts of Wales.
Years awarded: 2023, 2026
Region: West Midlands
Size: 1000+ employees
Sector: Energy chemicals and utilities
Securing a sustainable talent pipeline to meet business growth
Theme: Apprenticeships;Â Talent pipeline / Career pathways
Topics: Academy;Â Ageing workforce;Â Craft skills;Â In-house
Severn Trent’s tailored Trailblazer apprenticeship programme has secured a sustainable talent pipeline in response to workforce ageing and significant business growth requirements. Launched in 2021, the programme has trained 323 apprentices, achieving a 98.5% retention rate and 24% promotion rate within 12 months of completion. It has also increased apprenticeship levy utilisation from 18% to almost 100%, strengthening long-term workforce capability.
Demonstrating effective succession planning through establishing a talent pipeline
Themes: Apprenticeships
Faced with a potential skills gap due to changing staff demographics, as well as a scarcity of water industry specific apprenticeship standards, Severn Trent developed a Level 2 Water Process Operative standard and became an employer provider. The projected talent gap of 121 people has been mitigated by 140 apprentices in the pipeline, retention rates are at 86% and there has been a 100% pass rate against a national average of 53.4%. Savings have also been made and new apprenticeship routes are currently being developed through new Trailblazer Groups.
News and case studies featuring Severn Trent:
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