Midlands water company Severn Trent has welcomed 168 new apprentices and graduates as it continues to create opportunities for the next generation of talent.

With almost one million young people in the UK currently not in education, employment or training, the new intake represents a significant investment in Midland’s youth talent.

At a time when graduate opportunities have fallen by almost a quarter since 2022, Severn Trent is bucking the trend by welcoming 68 graduates, its largest-ever intake, alongside 100 apprentices across 40 programmes.

The company’s apprenticeships allow the opportunity to earn and learn and guarantees a role in the company when successfully completing their programme.

Kellie Emery, New Talent Lead at Severn Trent, said: “At a time when opportunities for young people can feel limited, it is really exciting to welcome our class of 2026.

“Our apprentices and graduates bring fresh ideas, a willingness to learn and a real desire to make a difference. There is so much talent across the Midlands, so it’s vital that we continue to create opportunities and a culture where everyone can belong and go on to achieve brilliant things with us.”

Severn Trent aims to remove English and Maths qualifications as entry requirements where it can for its apprenticeships, making the programmes more accessible. It’s in house academy works with those who didn’t achieve their GCSEs to get their functional skills, the equivalent, and has a 100% pass rate.

Kellie continues: “When designing our programmes, we know it’s not a one-size fits all and we need to meet many young people where they are. Just because someone didn’t achieve their maths or English GCSE, doesn’t mean they’re not a great fit for our apprenticeships or business, and that shouldn’t stop them from having an opportunity.”

Severn Trent’s apprenticeship and graduate programmes are part of a wider commitment to help young people take their first steps into work.

The company is also creating 400 opportunities through its Youth Guarantee and offering 500 school-age work experience placements.

Matenneah Sesay, 22 from Coventry graduated in 2025. After struggling to find work, she found an opportunity at Severn Trent through her work coach at the DWP. After gaining valuable experience in the company for six months, she then applied for Severn Trent’s graduate programme and starts this week. She says: “Getting a job after finishing Uni was harder than I thought, and there’s a lot of competition out there. The placement I had was brilliant to learn more about the business and build experience, and then being successful on the graduate programme just feels amazing.

“I am really looking forward to learning more, and my first placement will see me supporting with our place-based plans, to really help deliver the investment and support our communities want to see from Severn Trent.”

Severn Trent’s graduate and apprenticeship programme cover its entire region and offer a range of programmes and placements.

Apprenticeships range from one to six years, and the qualifications range from level 2 (equal to GCSE’s) to level 6 (equal to a degree).

The company’s graduate programme range from two to three years, all programmes are business, operational and STEM.

To find out about opportunities and roles at Severn Trent, visit severntrent.com/careers.