South West Water has joined a new Government and employer partnership to help strengthen the UK's energy and utility workforce.

The Energy and Efficiency Industrial Partnership brings together 67 employers with a goal of filling the training and skills void in the power, gas, water, renewable and waste management industries by delivering around 70,000 new learning opportunities including apprenticeships and traineeships.

South West Water Chief Executive Chris Loughlin said:

"Harnessing the energy and developing the talents of young people today is crucial for business success tomorrow.  We fully support this new national partnership which will help to plug the skills gap and provide a steady supply of trained talent for employers.”

The partnership, the biggest Government scheme of its type, is supported by Energy and Utility Skills (EU Skills), the National Skills Academy for Power and other employers including National Grid, British Gas and E.ON UK. The employers will match the Government's £33million investment into the partnership, which will fund increased training to ensure the industry has the right quantity, quality and diversity of new recruits.

South West Water will soon recruit its 50th apprentice as it completes the search for eight new trainees. The new intake will exceed this milestone and bring the number of apprentices recruited by the company since 2011 to 54.

The first two female operational apprentices in their field at South West Water were recruited last year and eight apprentices are now permanent employees after completing their training.

All apprenticeships at South West Water follow a structured programme of training and development, provide work-based experience and are supported by an experienced training provider.