17 WIAA 09 Outinno 6/7/09 3:00 pm Page 9
AWARD CATEGORIES 17
Outstanding Individual Contribution
to the Water Industry
Sponsored by
Meet the Sponsor
Ofwat, the water services regulation
authority, is the economic regulator of
the water and sewerage industries in
England and Wales.
It is responsible for making sure that
customers receive a good quality and
efficient service at a fair price. Ofwat
protects consumers, promotes value
and safeguards the future.
Ofwat is keen to promote innovation
throughout the water industry. It was
for this reason that the regulator got
involved with the WIA awards.
Southern’s Julie Harriott is delighted after collecting the trophy from Ofwat’s George Day. Rhod looks on
his year was the first time that the Water Industry Achievement
T
Awards would have an overall winner, taking the title of
Outstanding Innovation 2009.
The winner of this award be the champion of champions. With all the
categories winners having been decided, the judges had to select the one
that had developed the most innovative and successful technology,
campaign or initiative.
Southern Water took this title with its Developing Our Young People, an
Pr
oud winners -
innovative and modern apprentice training scheme.
Most Innovative Use of
echnology
The judges said that Southern Water had stood out to take this
an Existing T
y
W
ater Industr
prestigious award. They said that while many companies are vocal
war
ds
Achievement A
about investing in young people, Southern Water had proactive to avoid a
2009
skills shortage.
Radical action
It had taken radical action when its existing apprentice scheme suffered a
high drop-out rate, and some apprentices had actually taken seven years to
complete a four-year course, making it costly and inefficient.
The Developing Our Young People four-year scheme comprises a six-
month residential training programme; a six-month work-based training
scheme; and three years’ work experience with one day a week at further
education colleges. WIAA 09
While many companies are vocal
about investing in young people,
Southern Water had proactive to
avoid a skills shortage
July 2009 Review
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