Yorkshire Water take on 75 Kickstarters

Yorkshire Water is working in partnership with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and trade unions to provide career support and employment to 75 young people, as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme.  

The job creation scheme helps 16-25 year olds on universal credit secure fixed term contracts, in order to gain work experience and embark on a potential career. The water company will offer roles across its business, including within its customer experience team, land and property department and flooding resilience team. Every Kickstarter that successfully completes the programme is guaranteed a job interview for a role within the company.  

Trade unions will assist the water company by providing monthly sessions to help with challenges faced in a return to work situation or first-time employment, monthly career workshops and CV support. 

Thirty of the seventy-five roles will begin this summer, with a further forty-five following in the new year. Once the six-month programme is complete, Yorkshire Water will support the apprentices to find a more permanent role – either within its business, or elsewhere.  

Jenni Morris, chief people officer at Yorkshire Water said: “We’re really excited to welcome 75 fresh new faces into the water industry, to learn from them and support them as they start their careers.  

“This scheme has allowed us to open additional vacancies and provide opportunities to people that might not have crossed our path otherwise. Working with TUC and trade unions, we will provide CV workshops, mock interviews and career guidance to those who join Yorkshire Water on the Kickstart scheme.” 

Bill Adams from the TUC welcomes the Kickstart scheme from Yorkshire Water. He said: “Young people have been the hardest hit during the pandemic and this scheme will provide excellent work experience and the opportunity to progress in the company for the future. Good training and mentoring by the company and the trades unions is vital to secure the good green jobs of the future and makes sound business sense.”