Joshua

Joshua's STORY

Severn Trent Water, Electrical Maintenance Apprenticeship, Severn Trent Water

Severn Trent Water, Electrical Maintenance Apprenticeship
Severn Trent Water

Joshua chose an apprenticeship because it offered a fresh opportunity to retrain in a new skill.

After completing my apprenticeship, I will hold a qualification as a Utilities Engineering Technician Level 3 with a focus on the electrical pathway. My daily routine is incredibly varied. I’m constantly acquiring new skills, both through my training provider (which I pay for) and hands-on experience.

I chose this apprenticeship because it offered a fresh opportunity to retrain in a new skill. As a mature apprentice at the age of 31, I decided to explore different options after Covid prompted me to reconsider my previous employment.

The job security is excellent—it’s a career for life, as they say at Severn Trent (and likely true for many water companies). I find it absolutely brilliant.

Regarding my progress in the apprenticeship, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Each day brings something different. I’m continually learning and putting my skills to the test, which is incredibly valuable.

Why did I choose Severn Trent? Well, I explored various apprenticeships and found that their values resonated with me. Their forward-thinking plans also caught my attention. So, I took the leap, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.

What does your normal week look like for you?

It is so varied. I am fortunate enough to be training at a place called Make UK, which is one of the leading training providers for engineering apprenticeships. We do four-week blocks per unit, picking up new skills, learning theory, and gaining practical experience.

After those four weeks, we return to the site and spend two weeks with our team and mentor, putting those skills to good use. The work can vary from day to day. One day, we might deal with issues related to a pump, and the next day, it could be fault finding. Every day is different, but it’s so nice to be part of a team. My mentor is brilliant, and the whole team at the water treatment site where I work gets along well. We always have a laugh.

What’s been the biggest highlight of your apprenticeship so far?

Becoming part of a team and building connections and relationships with colleagues has been a significant aspect for me. I try to branch out and speak to as many people from different departments within Severn Trent. This helps me get a better feel for how everyone operates. Overall, I’d say that this has been one of my highlights, along with the apprenticeship itself. The training at MAKE UK has been a comprehensive experience—from start to finish. While it was a bit daunting at the beginning, it has been incredibly rewarding.

What is the most interesting mind-blowing unexpected thing that you’ve learned during your apprenticeship so far?

For me, it was the water treatment process itself. Initially, I had no idea what actually went into producing the clean water that flows from our taps and is perfectly safe to drink. However, the journey from reservoir to tap involves so much in between, which truly blew me away. I’ll never forget my first day on-site when I had a tour. I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, I wasn’t expecting so much to be involved.’ That experience left an impression on me.

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– Joshua McKenzie Rhodes

Severn Trent Water, Electrical Maintenance Apprenticeship

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