• Severn Trent to create 400 Youth Guarantee opportunities across the Midlands over the next three years
• Includes a range of options for young people, including up to six-month work placements or two-week placements across a range of roles aimed at 16–24-year-olds
• The Youth Guarantee, driven by Government, comes as almost 1m young people are currently not earning or learning (NEET).
• Commitment was announced with Minister of Skills, Jacqui Smith, during a tour of Severn Trent’s Academy in Coventry
• This announcement is on top of the company’s 500 work experience placements aimed at school children (14-18), and 100 apprentice roles annually.

Severn Trent has today (Tuesday 19 May 2026)) announced plans to create 400 opportunities over the next three years as part of its commitment to the Government’s Youth Guarantee. A major employment drive designed to unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for the next generation.

The pledge comes as national figures show apprenticeships have fallen by 40%, and almost one million young people are currently not earning or learning (NEET).

The Midlands water company has now committed to offering 400 varied opportunities to 16–24-year-olds across Coventry, Birmingham, Leicester and Derby. It will include a mix of placements ranging from two weeks to six months, supported internships, pathways to apprenticeships, funding, as well as targeted interventions to young people at risk of becoming NEET.

The announcement under the Youth Guarantee is in addition to Severn Trent’s existing 500 work experience placements offered annually to young people at school (14-18), and 100 new apprenticeship opportunities each year.

The company also shared that it is working with other Midland’s organisations to create 400 work experience placements over the next four years for those that are care experienced, to offer a tailored work experience and mentoring programme and provide support into positive outcomes. With 75 of those to be taken on by Severn Trent, to form part of the Youth Guarantee.

The announcement was shared during a visit from Minister of Skills Jacqui Smith, who toured Severn Trent’s state‑of‑the‑art training Academy in Coventry.

During the visit, the Minister met apprentices and young colleagues who have joined the business through a range of pathways and are taking their first steps into the industry.

The Academy is home to the industry’s very first training river, a live rig, and training house to allow its users to get a hands on, immersive learning experience.

Baroness Jaqui Smith, Minister for Skills said: "Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a career they're proud of and that is exactly what we are making happen through the Youth Guarantee. 

“It is great to see Severn Trent joining a growing number of household businesses backing our mission to open doors and deliver real opportunity across the country. 

“Their commitment shows how working hand in hand with businesses provides young people with the skills, the confidence and the chances they need to succeed.” 

Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent, said: “At Severn Trent, we know that giving a young person that first opportunity can be game‑changing. Creating more opportunities for talented young people to join our business not only supports them but also brings fresh ideas and perspectives that strengthen us as a company. Our 400 opportunities over the next three years will have a huge impact on young people’s lives, and the Youth Guarantee is a great example of how business and Government can come together to deliver positive outcomes.

“It’s been fantastic to bring this to life at our Academy, with Minister Smith meeting the next generation of engineers, business leaders and colleagues, as we invest in building strong pipelines of future talent across the Midlands.”

Joining Minister Smith in her tour of the company’s Academy, was a number of young colleagues at the company who have joined through various programmes in all different roles.

Daniel Jackson, 19 Water technician who led the tour with Minister Smith said: “To be asked to lead the tour with the Minister was a real privilege. I started as an apprentice, and the Academy really helped give me the learning and opportunity to do well. I completed my programme, and am now part of the leakage team, finding and fixing leaks and supporting our customers, and I love it. I’m excited about where my career will take me.”

Simone Uwadiale 22, Bathing Rivers Project Co-ordinator, “Having the eight-week placement at Severn Trent really helped me when understanding what the business is, what skills I can bring and what I could learn. The insight and placement allowed me to build confidence and have an understanding of what I’d need to apply. My role now is helping to co-ordinate our bathing rivers programme, something that is really important, and I am enjoying my job and what I am learning.”

Matenneh Sesay, Social Impact Administrator said: “After graduating, I was searching for a role and secured a place on the work readiness programme from the Coventry Job Shop. I spent two months getting experiencing in HR and building connections across the business. I then landed a role in the social impact team, which strengthened my skills and passion for making a difference and I am really proud to now be starting the Severn Trent Graduate Leadership Programme in September.”

Stevie Walsh, 18, Apprentice Assistant Water Network Technician said: “I started with Severn Trent last year as an apprentice, after looking for something different and more hands on that suited me. I’m loving what I am learning and can see the opportunities for me for when I complete my apprenticeships, where I hope to work as a water technician in Shropshire.”