Meet the Apprentices: Jessica Tucker

These exciting opportunities are across our water, wastewater, and support teams in various locations around Wales and allow people to learn new skills on the job while earning a competitive wage.

At Welsh Water we have many employees who have entered our business via an apprenticeship route, who are doing amazing work for us, daily. We strongly believe it's a successful route into a rewarding and fulfilling career with us.

But, don’t just take our word for it.

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with Jessica Tucker, Maintenance Technician Apprentice to find out more about her apprenticeship journey so far.

What is your current role in Welsh Water?

I am currently an apprentice maintenance technician based in Swansea Bay wastewater treatment works, where I started my apprenticeship in September just gone.

What were your main interests in school? Did you have any career plans? Had you considered an apprenticeship?

The subjects that interested me most in school were art and engineering. I wanted to pursue a career that would challenge me to be creative. Engineering provides me with opportunities where I have to think outside the box to resolve problems. I hadn’t originally considered an apprenticeship until coming to Welsh Water for work experience.

How did you find out about the Welsh Water apprentice scheme? What made you want to apply?

I found out about the apprenticeship scheme whilst on my work experience at Welsh Water. Having enjoyed my time learning about the waste and clean processes and gaining an interest in the business and their values, I decided an apprenticeship scheme would benefit me more than continuing with full time education as planned. I still get to go to college and obtain my engineering qualification as well as learn a profession first hand.

How did you find the application and onboarding process? How did you feel when you learned you were accepted as an apprentice?

It was very exciting finding out that I’d got a place on the apprenticeship scheme, especially coming straight from the school environment after just finishing my GCSE’s. The application process was straightforward, HR kept me informed throughout the process. I found the assessment centre day very informative; it also gave me the opportunity to meet lots of other people going through the same process as me as well as meeting the Welsh Water team.

Tell us about your Welsh Water journey. What’s been your highlight so far?

Although I have not been in the business long, I have already made loads of brilliant memories. One of my highlights was the apprentice team building day in Llandegfedd Lake where we had the opportunity to get involved in water and land-based activities such as axe throwing, kayaking, paddle boarding and archery. I found the team building day a great way to network with my colleagues and I really enjoyed getting to know all the new starters. Post to the team building day I found training courses and college a lot more comfortable as I was able to recognise a few familiar faces which I think makes all a difference.

How have you found the support for developing your career?

I am confident in saying that Welsh Water will provide me with the guidance and support I need to develop in my career. I have attended workshops on how to advance in my career and the different ways to do so such as a squiggly career path. They offer mentorship and career safaris where you can visit a chosen job role to find out if a different department/job is for you. One of the best things about being an apprentice is that you gain experience as well as your qualification, but you also have the opportunity to do further qualifications which I believe can provide you with more opportunities for the future.

Do you have any plans for where you’d like your career to go?

At this moment of my career, I am really looking forward to completing my course and becoming a qualified engineer. Once I’m qualified my skills will be transferable to many parts of the business. I want to get actively involved in one of the many working groups across the business and have recently joined the Wastewater Diversity Group and would love to encourage more females into engineering roles at Welsh Water.