NEWSDESK
drain TRADER
New team of wastewater warriors taken on to tackle customer drain dilemmas B
lasting blockages, blitzing fatbergs and keeping our pipes in pukka condition are just a fewof the tasks allocated to a crack
newteamof sewer superheroes. Regionalwater andwastewater firm,UnitedUtilities, has recently recruited 22 newdrain busters to speed up its response to sewer blockages or
odours.The newkeyworkerswill cover fourmain areas: Pennines, Lancashire,Manchester andMerseyside. UnitedUtilities’drain performancemanager,Dawn Bromley, said: “We’re delightedwe could continuewith our recruitment plans post- lockdown. “These newrecruits, some ofwhomhad been furloughed by their previous employer due to coronavirus,will start their newroles at the end of June after an intensive training programme,”she added. UnitedUtilities’drainage deliverymanager, Sean Reid, said:“At a time when the region’s economy has been ravaged by coronavirus,we’re proud thatwewere able to offer newkeyworker roles to the external market and in particular to provide a role to someone fromour social mobility programme, reaffirming our commitment to social sustainability in theNorthWest.” Nineteen-year-oldTomSmith, fromLiverpool, joins the teamof blockage technicians fromUnitedUtilities’SocialMobilityAccess programmewhich supports 18 to 24 year oldswho are either‘Not in Education, Employment, orTraining’(NEET), orwhowork part-time. Tom,who previouslyworked part-time in retail, said:“I’mreally enjoying the practical side of the training andmeetingmembers of the teamand I’mlooking forward to putting the training into practice.” UnitedUtilities’socialmobilitymanager, KatieMoffatt, explained:“Tom was recognised as someonewho had fantastic potential but needed additional supportwith hisCV and interviewtechniques. “We’re really pleased to see one of our participants successfully gain employment especially during this challenging time.” HannahWieland, 24, fromWidnes, hasworked forUnitedUtilities since shewas 18. Shewas attracted to her newrole as a blockage technician as it is out in the field on thewastewater network. “I'mreally enjoying the role so far, although I'mstill unsure ifHi-Vis is doing anything forme!”commentedHannah. “My previous rolemeant I had to intercept customer contacts before they became a complaint. I loved this role and it definitely inspiredme
HannahWeil and TomSmith
towant to usemy customer service skills face-to-face,”she added. Dawn Bromley said:“We're theNorthWest's water andwastewater companywhichmeans it's our job to keep the taps flowing and the toilets flushing for threemillion homes and 200,000 businesses across the region. “If you’ve got amind for fresh ideas, love thinking outside the box and fancy learning some newskills then a careerwith us could be your next big adventure.”
Association offers help sourcing PPE for water workers T
he head of the UK’s professional clothing trade association has assured thewater industry itwill do all it can to direct businesses
to supplierswho are familiarwith the sourcing and production of essential protective clothing during the Covid-19 pandemic. YvetteAshby, chief executive of the ProfessionalClothing Industry AssociationWorldwide (PCIAW), said her teamwas able tomake introductions to global supplierswith stock of personal protective equipment (PPE)
andworkwear.Ashby gave her reassurances to British Water chief executive LilaThompson,who reached out to the association on behalf of thewater sector after concernswere raised
76 drain TRADER | July 2020 |
www.draintraderltd.com
about the availability of regulated items. She said:“There is obviously aworkwear and PPE shortage affecting all industries, due to an increase inworldwide demand and a reduction of availableworkforcewhich is impactingmanufacturers’ability to supply. However,we havemembers and affiliations globally and are keeping track ofwho has what, sowe’re able to point buyers in the right direction.
Lila Thompson
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