Graduate profiles

Paul

My current role is within the Investment Delivery Department, as a Project Manager within water and wastewater treatment.  I’m responsible for and manage several projects, leading and working with a team of professionals to deliver a project to required budgetary, time and quality standards.  My work is extremely varied and challenging, covering both our water and wastewater sites all across the region, from repairing or replacing some small assets to the complete refurbishment and reconstruction of process critical plant. 

I joined the company’s graduate programme in January 2006 after completing an M Eng Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  My programme consisted of four placements of around six to eight months both within the organisation and externally along with courses to develop my management skills.  My placements included:

• Several months within Investment Delivery, managing some small, fast turnaround projects.

•  Time with wastewater operations as a process technician at our largest municipal treatment works at Howdon, developing a good working knowledge of the treatment process, and how to control it to ensure effluent quality is maintained in the most efficient way.

• Six months with an engineering consultant, carrying out feasibility studies and design work for some of Northumbrian Water’s large, high profile projects.

• A final six months with a contractor as a site engineer on a new waste water screenings plant in Hendon, setting out structures according to the design drawings and ensuring they are constructed to that design and the required standards.

One of the best things I have found about the organisation throughout my time with the company is the willingness of people, no matter what position to give invaluable advice and support to help me do my job.  I have also been given a lot of responsibility very early in my career throughout the graduate programme, where my decisions and actions can have effects throughout the business.

While I found my graduate programme to be structured, it was flexible enough to allow me to provide input and tailor it to my needs and aspirations.  I now intend to use the skills and knowledge I have gained in the programme to better help me in my new role and to enable me to attain Chartered Engineer status over the next few years.

Katie

I joined NWL in January 2006 having graduated with a geography degree in the previous summer.  I spent the summer after my degree travelling (and installing a water system for a Karen hill tribe village in north-west Thailand!) before doing some voluntary work with the Broads Authority.  I was working on the Norfolk Broads when I first heard about the graduate scheme at NWL.

The scheme offered me the opportunity to work in a wide variety of departments whilst receiving training on key aspects of each role and enabling me to complete the Certificate in Management with the Chartered Management Institute.  During my time in the company I have had a mentor and an overall manager who have guided and advised me on personal development opportunities through the placements.

I started in Distribution in Strategic Maintenance before moving to Developer Services, Conservation, Performance Improvement, Networks and finishing in Investment Delivery.  Each role was different and work ranged from project-based work to fulfilling a day job role.  In Strategic Maintenance and Investment Delivery I was working with external contractors and consultants on pipelines, treatment works and construction projects. 

I was fortunate to have my Conservation placement during the summer months so was able to take part in species surveys in Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as reviewing the company’s Environmental Management System and contributing to the ongoing management of company sites.  I was given a good grounding in project management in Performance Improvement by working on a number of my own projects alongside being part of the work management programme which aims to introduce handheld technology into our field teams.  My placement in Networks greatly enhanced my knowledge of the water distribution system and the detailed monitoring required to ensure that we can meet customer demand and reduce leakage.

It was very beneficial to be exposed to so many aspects of the water company and work with different groups of people and wherever I work in the future, the background knowledge and experience I gained will be useful.  I am now in a permanent role in Investment Delivery as a project manager of capital investment schemes and have the challenge of working on a number of large projects such as the Abberton Reservoir Scheme and the new Hanningfield accommodation building as well as learning all the processes and procedures used in the department through management of my own projects!

Simon

Joined Northumbrian Water: 2001

Degree: 1st class and a masters degree in Environmental Management, Lancaster University. Studies covered the water industry and the water cycle which kindled my interest and encouraged me to join the industry.

Graduate Development Programme: Spent the 2.5 years working on short-term placements across the business, both in Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water, including placements in Customer Services, Distribution and Investment Delivery. My final placement as a Team Leader in Production at a water treatment works helped me decide that I wanted a career in ‘people management’. Alongside the placements, I completed the Certificate in Management qualification, this provided an academic insight into management.

Work Experience: In 2004 I joined Distribution Maintenance, my first ‘proper job’. I became responsible for the planning of 40,000 repair and maintenance jobs every year, 3 full-time work planners and 3 re-instatement technicians. I did this job for two years and gained a great insight into managing people, budgets and change.

In 2006 a great opportunity emerged in Information Services (IT) to take on more responsibility. As a PC Support Team Leader, responsible for 7 PC Support Engineers and the maintenance and upkeep of all the PCs, laptops and printers in the company.  I also had to manage an operational budget of £400,000 pa and a large capital budget.

In late 2007 my role expanded further to include responsibility for the Service Desk as well as PC Support, I now have responsibility for 14 members of staff.

Outside of work I have become involved with the Institution of Water Officers (IWO). This institution is informal and provides great opportunities to develop in a social and friendly environment. I would encourage anyone to join..

I would recommend that anyone joining our Graduate Development Programme, makes the most of any opportunities, travel between the north and south, work in some of our different and spectacular locations and take on some challenging and interesting projects. All these experiences will help you enjoy your graduate experience, benefit you and help you in your longer-term career within NWL.